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PLAIN 

HOME TALK 

ABOUT THE 

HUMAN SYSTEM— THE HABITS OF MEN AND WOMEN— THE CAUSES 
AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE— OUR SEXUAL RELA- 
TIONS AND SOCIAL NATURES. 

EMBRACING 

MEDICAL COMMON SENSE 



APPLIED TO 



CAUSES, PREVENTION, AND CURE OF CHRONIC DISEASES— THE NAT- 
URAL RELATIONS OF MEN AND WOMEN TO EACH 
OTHER— SOCIETY— LOVE— MARRIAGE 
—PARENTAGE, ETC. /<" 



. 




EDWARD B.^FOOTE, M.D^, 

Author of Medical Common Sense; Science in Stort, and various Publica- 
tions on The Physical Improvement of Humanity; Physiological Mar- 
riage; Croup; Rupture and Hernia; Defective Vision; Causes of 
Disease, Insanity and Death; Divorce from a Scientific Stand 
Point; The Alphabet of the Human Temperaments; Nervous 
Debility; Phimosis; Continence, etc., etc. 



ervous 



Revised in 1896 by Drs. E. B. Foote., Sr. and Jr. 



EMBELLISHED WITH OVER TWO HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS. 



MORE THAN HALF A MILLION SOLD. 



New York: 
MURRAY HILL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 129 East 28th Street. 

Charles Noble, 312 Strand, London, Exg. 

L. N. Fowler & Co., 7 Imperial Arcade, Ludgate, London. Exg. 

L. N. Underwood, Circus, London, E. C. Eng. 

1896. 



*# 



Medical Common Sense. Copyrighted, 1858. 



Plain Home Talk, embracing Medical Common Sense. Copyrighted, 1870. 



REVISED EDITION OP 

Plain Home Talk, embracing Medical Common Sense. Copyrighted, 1896. 



PREFACE. 



For the third time I make my bow to a generous public. For the third time 
I serve to my patrons a dish of what I term medical common sense. The book 
entitled "Medical Common Sense 1 ' had its birth in 1858. It was a volume of 
about 300 pages and less than one hundred illustrations. When it first made its 
appearance some of my prudent friends shook their grave heads, and predicted 
for the author pecuniary failure and professional disgrace. Like those of many 
other prophets, their predictions proved to be only croakings, and .the expected 
martyr soon found himself surrounded by hosts of new friends and swarms of 
new patients. While awaiting the popular verdict, after the first issue, one of 
the oldest and most noted clergymen of New York called at my office for the 
express purpose of assuring me how much he was pleased with the publication, 
and his appreciation possessed greater value to me because he had studied 
medicine in his youthful days, with the view of fitting himself for practice. He 
pronounced "Medical Common Sense" a refreshing contribution to medical 
literature, and expressed a hope that it would obtain a large circulation. I 
breathed easier, for the splendid physique, generous countenance, cultivated 
manner and commanding presence of the first juror gave to his encouraging 
words the color and impressiveness of authority, and I almost felt as if the pop- 
ular verdict had already been rendered. 

It is many years since this noted man passed to the " great beyond," at the 
ripe age of eighty-six. The N. Y. Evangelist, in its obituary notice, said : " So ends 
a long and distinguished public career. So passes away one of the great men of 
a former generation. His name has been a household word for half a century. 
In the Presbyterian Church he stood in the very front rank. * * * By his 
great power he made his influence felt in every sphere in which he moved. 
* * * His commanding presence, ready tact and powerful utterance com- 
bined to make him in deliberative and popular assemblies a leader of men. 1 ' 
These brief quotations are made to show what manner of man this clergyman 
was who endorsed a popular medical work which broke away from orthodoxy 
in medicine and opened up new paths for those who were groping in the wilder- 
ness of doubt and uncertainty, vainly looking for hope and relief from chronic 
physical ills. The youthful author was barely twenty-nine years of age ; the 
clergyman in the "glory of his ripe manhood." It can be well imagined that 
any misgivings as to how the volume would be received gave way to confident 
expectation, nor was this feeling delusive, for, as the book continued to circu- 
late, letters came in daily, like the droppings of the ballots on election day, from 
intelligent men and women in all parts of the country, thanking me for the in- 
formation I had presented in language which could be comprehended by the 
masses of the people. The appreciation of the latter was attested by the fact 
that between 1858 and 1869 over two hundred and fifty thousand copies were 
sold, a circulation which I venture to affirm had been attained by no other 
medical work of like size in the same time in this or any other country. 



IV PREFACE. 

My correspondence with the people often exceeded one hundred letters per 
day, and the personal experiences and observations confided to the author en- 
abled me to form some conception of the popular needs, and to supply still 
further that physiological instruction so greatly demanded to make mankind 
healthy and happy. Hence my second revision, made in 1870, with the title of 
u Plain Home Talk, Embracing Medical Common Sense, 11 a book containing 
nearly 1,000 pages and over 200 illustrations. In this revision it was my aim to 
answer as nearly as possible all the questions that had been put to me in the 
intervening years, and to recommend such measures for individual and social 
reform as I thought would prove morally and physically beneficial. To fulfill 
my duties in these respects, I could not make a volume suited for the centre 
table, nor yet a work that would find place on some obscure shelf. The medi- 
cine closet or family library seemed to me to be an appropriate place for the 
book. Time proved that this venture was not without success. Meeting the 
well-known veteran litterateur and traveller, Stephen Massett, at a banquet in 
New York, he remarked : "I have met your remarkable work in every clime I 
have visited— even in far-off South Africa. 11 More than half a million copies 
have been sold, and still it meets with public appreciation, as is evidenced by 
the fact that the publishers print an edition of about fifteen or twenty thousand 
every year. It has been translated into the German language, and has found 
thousands of readers in the German Empire. The title of the German edition is 
" Offene Yolks Sprache. 11 

After the lapse of a quarter of a century the book appears with considerable 
new matter. It is a remarkable fact that " Plain Home Talk " was so far in ad- 
vance of the times when published (some said fifty years) that it is not now 
necessary to " write it up to date. 11 It has been like a perpetual almanac from 
the moment it was first issued. A correspondent, a well-known horticulturist 
of Michigan, recently wrote : "Is Dr. Foote, the one who wrote 'Plain Home 
Talk, 1 still living ? Does he know that many of his notions and sociological de- 
ductions have become popularized since 1857— since 1870 ?" Little that is new 
can be added ; but many of the re r orms advocated in the volume have been ac- 
complished, and tke essays devoted to them can be made conformable to the 
changes which have taken place. It can be freshened up a little with new dates 
and with observations on some of the remarkable advances in the domain of 
hygiene and medicine. In making this third revision I have associated with me 
my oldest son, Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr., who entered this world in the year 1854, com- 
menced the study of medicine in 1872, and graduated from the College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons in 1876. And I will add, in this connection, that my son, Dr. 
Eubert T. Foote, five years younger than his brother, is a physician, and both 
are associated with their father in the management of a wide practice, extend- 
ing into all the States and Territories of North America, and into Europe, Asia 
and Africa. Perhaps my old and new patrons would like an introduction to 
these two valuable associates, and I will here avail myself of the art of the 
photo-engraver to make my indulgent reader acquainted with these well cut 
"chips of the old block. 11 

There are portions of the Preface appearing in my first volume which I will 
reproduce here with some slight alterations and additions. " Common sense, 11 1 
said, nearly forty years ago, is quoted at a discount, especially by the medical 
profession, which proverbially ignores everything that has not the mixed odor 
of incomprehensibility and antiquity. Medical works are generally a heteroge- 
neous compound of vague ideas and jaw-breaking words, in which the dead lan- 
guages are largely employed to treat of living subjects. Orthodoxy in medicine 



PREFACE. v 

consists in walking in the beaten paths of ^Esculapian ancestors, and looking 
with grave contempt on all who essay to cut out new paths for themselves. 
Progress is supposed to be possible in everything except medicine ; but in this 
science, which all admit has room for improvement, the epithet of " Quack" is 
applied to every medical discoverer. I trust I may prove worthy of the denun- 
ciations of the bigoted. This work is written for the amelioration of human 
suffering, not for personal popularity. To uproot error and do good should be 
the first and paramount aspiration of every intelligent being. He who labors to 
promote the physical perfection of his race ; he who strives to make mankind 
intelligent, healthful and happy, cannot fail to have reflected on his own soul 
the benign smiles of those whom he has been the instrument of benefiting. 





HUBERT T. FOOTE, M.D. 



EDWARD B. FOOTE, JR, M.D. 



My object in preparing this work is to supply a desideratum which has 
long existed, i.e., a medical work, reviewing first causes as well as facts and 
ultimate effects, written in language strictly mundane, and comprehensible 
alike to the lowly inmate of a basement and the exquisite student of an attic 
studio ; and if successful in fulfilling the promise of the title-page, I have too 
much confidence in the intelligence of the masses and the erudition of the un- 
prejudiced scholar to believe that it will be received with unappreciation or 
indifference. Many of the theories which these pages will advance are certainly 
new and antagonistic to those popularly entertained, but it does not follow that 
they are incorrect or unworthy the consideration of the philosophical and physi- 
ological inquirer. They are founded upon careful observation, experiment and 
extensive medical practice, and if the truth of the theories may be judged by 
the success of the latter, then do they unmistakably possess soundness as well 
as originality, for living monuments to the skill and success of the author have 
been and are being daily raised from beds of sickness and debility in every part 
of the world. If these remarks sound boastful, be not less ready to pardon the 
conceit of a successful physician than that of a victorious soldier. The success- 
ful military chieftain is notoriously conceited ; is it not as honorable and elevat- 



vi PREFACE. 

ing to save life as to destroy it ? If a man may boast that he has slain hundreds, 
cannot his egotism be indulged if he has saved the lives of thousands ? I shall 
claim the soldier's prerogative, for when medical charlatans at every street 
corner are blowing their trumpets, it does not behoove the successful physician 
to nurse his modesty. What I write, however, shall be written in candor, and 
with an honest intention of enlightening and benefiting humanity. 

How far the heads of families may be willing to allow it to circulate among 
the younger members, it must be left for them to determine ; but, if intelligent 
parents had had my experience they would place this book in the hands of all 
children who are capable of being interested in it. In other words, they would 
take no pains to conceal it from children of any age, because only those who 
understand it will become interested, and all possessing this degree of compre- 
hension are liable to obtain erroneous and injurious information upon the same 
topics through impure and corrupting channels, though much care be exercised 
to prevent it. This is a fact which a large correspondence with young people 
has impressed upon the mind of the author, and would command the earnest 
attention of all parents and guardians, if they possessed the means of knowing 
what the writer does. I have received enough lamentations from the young of 
both sexes, resulting from their indiscretions, to fill these pages, and many of 
their letters do not hesitate to charge their parents with cruel neglect in keep- 
ing from them a knowledge of such vital importance. If this work is adjudged 
unsuitable, may be other works can be found that will answer the purpose, 
although I doubt if there is another book wherein the relations of all the organs 
of the system to each other, and those of the moral nature to the physical body, 
are more faithfully traced. For the adult this work contains information which 
no man or woman can afford to do without, when it may be obtained at a price 
comparatively so trifling. If the physiological deductions and social views of 
the author be not accepted the valuable facts upon which they are based re- 
main, and the reader is at liberty to use them to sustain opinions and sugges- 
tions which he may adjudge more acceptable to the popular mind. Anything, 
everything— that the human family may grow wiser and happier. 

E. B. F. 



CONTENTS 



PART I 



DISEASE-ITS CAUSES, PREVENTION, AND CURE. 



OPENING CHAPTER. 
Disease and its Causes. 



PAGE 

Opening words. 25 

Our planet 25 

Its load of human suffering 25 

The tyranny of disease 25 

The Causes of Disease 

Are mental, blood, and nervous derange- 
ments . . . 26 

The brain capitol of the nervous system 27 

The nerves telegraphic wires " 27 

How the mind sends its telegrams 27 

How quickly it does it. 27 

The brain a reservoir of electricity 28 

The stomach a galvanic battery 29 

Other sources of animal electricity 30 



PAOB 

How mental troubles produce disease.. 31 

What the blood is made of 84 

The heart the capitol of the circulatory 

system 35 

Also "the reservoir of the blood 35 

How it pumps the blood out and in. . . 35 

The capillary system described 35 

How the blood builds up the body 36 

What becomes of the waste matters 36 

The dumping grounds of the system.. 86 
How blood derangements cause disease 86 
How the secreted enemy opens the sys- 
tem to contagion 37 

The cause of fever and ague 38 

What is necessary for good health 39 



CHAPTER II. 
The Causes of Nervous and Blood Derangements. 



Opening words 40 

Ignorance 

A vehicle loaded like a city omnibus. . 40 
Conveying disease to the human system 40 
The world in the character of ''blind- 
man's buff" 41 

Isrnorance of two kinds 41 

Where ignorance begins its work 42 

How children are conceived 42 

Life and disease thrust upon them 43 

What next? 43 

Ignorance of young women 44 



" Nature's calls " imperative 44 

The coyness of young people 44 

The ignorance of grown-up children ... 45 

Physiological ignorance 45 

Its effects upon women 45 

Schools must ultimately redeem us ... . 45 

Violating the Moral Nature. 

Sympathy between the moral and phys- 
ical man 4<$ 

Moral strength produces physical 

strength 4? 



viii 



COtfMOTS. 



PAGE 

Mind your conscience, and not your 

neighbor 47 

Mankind not run in one mould 47 

A sense of right makes one invincible. 47 

Moral neglect mars the features 48 

Muck -wisdom, dirt, and property. 48 

Its value when disease comes 50 

Effects of untruthfulness and injustice 

on health 50 

Nations suffer from wrong doing 50 

Individual reformation necessary 52 

" Paying off in their own coin" 53 

Effects of revenge on health 53 

The Food we Eat. 

How food is converted into bone, mus- 
cle, etc 54 

The curious dishes of some people. ... £5 

Caterpillar soup puppy stew, etc 55 

Maguey butter made from yellow worms 56 

Emperor Maximilian induced to try it 56 

Pork badfor the blood 56 

Hogs not made to eat 57 

The use Christ made of them. 57 

People leaping down their own throats . 58 

Swine are scrofulous 58 

Pork is wormy 58 

The name of the worm 59 

Its effects when lodged in the system. . 59 

A proposition to cook it to death 59 

A new theory respecting trichina} CO 

Dr. Adam Clarke's grace at a pig dinner 62 

Reasons why hogs are unhealthy. 63 

Diseases produced by pork eating 64 

All animal food condemned by many. . Co 

Its moderate use uninjurious C5 

Horse meat at Hamburg C6 

Meat makes men pugnacious C6 

The controversy between meai-eaters 

and vegetarians C7 

The theory of the writer C8 

Mr. Bergh on meat-eating 71 

People eat too much grease 72 

Conduct depends upon food 72 

Bonaparte and his poor dinner. 72 

Protracted intervals between meals 

should be avoided 73 

Sensible views advanced by a writer . . 73 

Dr. Dewey's dietetic habits 74 

Further advice on diet 74 

The Liquids wo Drink. 

What every person drinks per annum.. 75 

The beverages used by different nations 75 

Authors and orators often topers 76 

Tea and coffee 77 

When first introduced 77 

What old Eo Yu said of tea 77 

Who may drink tea 78 

Who may drink coffee 78 

How tea and coffee are adulterated 79 

How adulterations may be avoided 79 

Alcohol brewed in the human body ... 80 

Conflicting views of the scientists ... 81 

Utility of malt liquors in moderation.. 81 

Two-fold action of alcohol 82 

As a force-producer— food 82 



PAGB 

As a poison ...» $% 

Dr. Egbert Guernsey's conclusions. ... 83 

Narcotic, depressing influence 83 

Homeopathic, tonic action 83 

Effect in retarding waste 84 

Effect upon the blood 84 

Relation to animal color 85 

Alcohol as a " stimulant " 85 

Its utility in the laboratory 85 

Injurious effects of such stimulants . . 86 

Alcoholism— drunkards 86 

Progressive degradation 87 

Need of inebriate institutions 87 

Milk 88 

The difference between woman's and 

cow's milk , 88 

Valuable hints to mothers 88 

Adulterations in milk 89 

The milk of diseased animals 90 

Pure milk not good for every one 90 

Buttermilk and its therapeutic value. . 90 

Water 91 

Its impurities cause blood diseases 91 

The effects of limestone water 92 

The waters of the juniper swamps 93 

Mineral springs and their value 93 

Water poisoned by perspired and re- 
spired gases 94 

The water of leaden pipes 94 

The effects of ice-water 94 

The best rule in using water 94 

The danger in drinking from brooks. . . 95 

The Atmosphere we Live in. 

now much the lungs take in annually. 95 
How air promotes vegetable growth. . . 95 

Air can make or unmake a man 96 

What air is composed of 96 

The electricity of the air 97 

Electrical condition in dry v*eather 97 

Electrical condition in damp weather.. 97 
Evidence sustaining the author's posi- 
tion 98 

Yictor Hugo describes an equinoctial 

storm , 98 

Philosophy of insensible perspiration. . 99 

No book teaches this 100 

Dry weather promotes electrical radi- 
ation 101 

A popular error refuted 101 

The lungs aid the stomach 103 

Why persons breathe harder in sleep. . 103 
Greater proneness to disease in the 
sleeping than in the waking state . 103 

The reason explained .'. 104 

Scrofula rendered contagious through 

the medium of the air 1 05 

Professor Faraday's experience in a 

crowded room 105 

Pure air as necessary as pure water. . . . 106 
What Horace Mann said of badly venti- 
lated school-rooms. 107 

How nature purifies the air 107 

Injurious effects of stove heat 108 

Professor Youmans' opinion 108 

Dr. Ure's experiments 108 

Experiments of French savants 108 

Heating by steam less objectionable. . . 110 



CONTEXTS. 



IX 



PAGE 

Nothing like the old fire-place 110 

Grates best of modern improvements . 110 

Permanency of impure air 110 

A hint to mechanics who work in metal 112 

Shops should be aired daily 112 

Churches after as well as before service 112 
Advice for everybody 112 

Clothes we Wear. 

The human being comes into jthc Avorld 

rudely 112 

Old Dame Nature immodest 113 

How the poor baby is treated 113 

The effects of certain clothing on health 111: 
Fashion has knocked out people's brains 114 
Flora McFlimsey laughs at women in 

barbarism 115 

Women in barbarism laugh at Flora 

McFlimsey 115 

The Bloomer costume 115 

Men robbed women of the breeches... 116 
Men in petticoats in the 15th century. . 116 

TVhy long skirts are unheal thful 116 

What Dr. Harriet M. Austin says 117 

The experience of another "female 

writer 118 

Comments on low-necked dresses 120 

Killing children with kindness 120 

Dr. Frank Hamilton's fling at the cos- 
tume of men 122 

Knit shirts and drawers unhealthful. . . 123 

Bed flannel better than white 123 

The number and value of the pores 124 

Rubber and skin garments unhealthful 125 

Patent leather injurious 125 

A lady in the u Home Journal " look- 
ing at gentlemen's feet 126 

Second-hand clothing a medium of 

disease 126 

Clothes made from shoddy 127 

We need rag inspectors. 127 

Some reformers recommend nudity. . . . 127 

Experiment being tried in Ireland 12S 

Spartan customs 129 

Pwiiles to be observed in dress 129 

Bad Habits of Children and 
Youth. 

Seeds of disease sown in childhood. . . . 130 

What candies are colored with 131 

What they are flavored with 132 

Bad posture in sitting 132 

Going to school too yonng 133 

Going barefoot 134 

Remarkable case of poisoning by a bone 134 

Wrong to sleep with old people 136 

Vital electricity of the child absorbed. 136 

King David knew the effects 130 

Old men marrying young- wives 137 

Diseased and 'healthy children should 

not sleep together 137 

Prevalence of masturbation 137 

The terrible effects 13S 

Children should be properlv instructed 110 

Standing on the head .* 140 

Injurious effects of 141 

Turning round to become dizzy 141 

How to make health v men and ^omen 141 



Bad Habits of Manhood and 
Womanhood. 

PAGE 

Good and bad habits 141 

The use of tobacco 142 

Fashionable women getting into the 

habit 143 

The habits of poets, preachers, etc. .. . 143 

Dipping tobacco 1 43 

How it is done 143 

Its fatal effects in some cases 143 

Tobacco a medicinal plant 144 

Injurious when habitually used 144 

The testimony of various writers 144 

Tobacco causes impotency 147 

This proposition illustrated 14S 

Smoking niters the form of the mouth. 14S 

Other fashionable poisons 149 

Tight lacing — its effects 149 

How the power of the lungs may be 

tested 150 

God's works are perfect 151 

The outspoken sentiments of a woman 151 

Medicine taking 155 

Origin and effects of patent medicines. 155 
The law of temperaments in medicating 156 
Inscription on an English tombstone. . . 157 

Arsenic eating 157 

Turning night into day 157 

Why man should lie down at night. ... 153 

Explained on electrical principles 153 

Fast eating 160 

How a Yankee eats "1 60 

Liquid should not be drank with food . 160 
Holiday stuffing and midnight dinners. 161 

How people abuse their stomachs 162 

Fruit and light food for public dinners 162 

Habit second nature 1 63 

liemarkable illustrations 163 

Sexual Starvation. 

A startling essay 1 64 

Who will turn up their noses. 164 

Two classes will comprehend 164 

A male and female element in all na- 
ture 1C5 

The universal attraction between the 

two 1€5 

How it finds expression 165 

The sexual characteristics of different 

persons explained. 165 

Sexnal association beneficial 166 

The essentials to support life 1 66 

Four essentials to physical and spiritual 

health 166 

One of which is sexual magnetism 160 

Effects of sexual isolation .166 

Upon the shakers .. 166 

Upon mins ".., 19T 

Upon females in factories 16> 

Upon old maids 168 

Upon various classes 1 65 

Benefits of sexual magnetism in disease 169 

The temptations of young men 171 

Men and women want something they 

know not what 172 

And take to narcotics 1 73 

A remedy suggested. ,-,- 173* 



CONTENDS. 



Prostitution. 

PAGK 

Its moral and physical effects ... . . 1T4 

How disease is generated . . 175 

Is prostitution necessary ? > . 177 

The causes of prostitution . . . . 178 

Families upported by it . , . . 1S1 

How girls are seduced 182 

"Where reform should commence ...... 183 

Abandonment of the courtesan unchris- 
tian 186 

The midnight mission xS6 

Unhappy Marriage. 

Destroys the tone of the nervous and 

vascular fluids 1S8 

Curious statistics 188 

Effects on offspring : 1S9 

Impure Vaccination. 

Origin of vaccination 189 

Jenner's experiments on children .... 190 

Their disastrous results 190 

No " pure virus " or safe method 191 

Conflicting statements of its friends.. 192 

Adulterated Medicines. 

The baseness of medicinal adulteration 194 

The extent of adulteration 194 

Patients make ugly faces at their fam- 
ily doctors. . .". 19G 

Brutality and Inhumanity. 

Their effects on the nervous system. . . 197 

The impulse to kill and inflict pain 197 

How the magnetism of man influences 

animals below him 198 

Human and animal ferocity will die 

together 198 

Physical effects of inhumanity 199 

Evil influence of legal murder 199 

The practice of the ancients 201 



PAG* 

Drowning versus hanging 208 

Theatrical tragedy injurious to many . . 204 

Wealth. 

Its dissipations induce disease 204 

Dr. Hall's theory refuted 204 

Health begets wealth, instead of wealth 

begetting health 205 

A lesson from Socrates 206 

Dr. Channinsfs view 207 

Failures in Business. 

Destroy the harmony of the nervous 

system 207 

The brain compared to a bank 208 

The organs compared to merchants 208 

A physiological " panic " 208 

Failure after failure follows in the wake 

of the defaulter 210 

His conduct carries thousands to pre- 
mature graves 210 

How to avoid failures 211 

Excessive Study. 

Overloading the mind 211 

Literary world full of physical wrecks. 211 

Excessive Labor. 

The system needs rest 212 

One day per week set apart for rest by 

all nations 212 

Advice to sewing- women 213 

Melancholy. 

People keep pet griefs 214 

Some feel best when they feel worst. . . 214 

Melancholy disturbs the nervous system 214 

The value of a laugh 214 

Conclusion of Chapter II 214 

Causes of disease like insects 215 

They drop into every thing 215 



CHAPTER III. 



Prevention of Disease. 



A text from Harriet Martineau 21G 

Fight for good health 21G 

The gumps who run the physical ma- 
chine 217 

Providence takes away 217 

This proposition disproved 217 

Our Heavenly Father the author of all 

good 219 

How about the dear baby 219 

Its death accounted for 219 

How to have Healthy Babies. 

Infirm people should not have children 220 

Few are hopelessly incurable 221 

How healthy people have diseased chil- 
dren 221 



Advice to pregnant women 222 

General hints to be observed 224 

How to Preserve the Health of 
Children. 

What to do after the baby arrives 226 

The popular delusion about clothing. . . 226 

The baby kicks the clothes off 227 

The reason why 227 

Valuable hints on baby raising 228 

The food of children 230 

What a mother should be 230 

Rev. O. B. Frothingham's idea 230 

Advice about nurses 231 

Bathing and amusing children . . . . 231 

Guarding them from injury 2S2 



CONTENTS. 



XI 



PAGE 

Don't dose tneffi 233 

The punishment of children 234 

Dietetics for Old and Young. 

Stimulating diet bad for children 235 

Belf-evident philosophy regarding diet. 235 
Simple rule for the baby, the child, the 

man, the aged 235 

Fasting injurious 237 

flow to regulate the bowels with food. 238 

The Physiological Instruction of 
Children. 

Results of physiological ignorance 239 

How it may be overcome T 239 

A new plan proposed 239 

Mental and Physical Recreation. 

Necessary to preserve health 241 

Idleness not recreation 241 

Benefits of horseback riding 242 

Women should ride astride 244 

Remarks on dancing „ ... . 245 

Men and women should commingle in 

exercise 246 

Light gymnastics 247 

Swimming 249 

Bicycling : benefits and evils 251 

Cautions to women, children and aged 252 

Sleep. 

Its value to health 252 

Insanity from want of sleep 254 

Pow to go to bed 254 



Cleanliness. 

PAGB 

A preventive of disease 255 

Nature's sewers should be kept active . 256 

Pure Air. 

The value of the pure breath of heaven 257 

Air baths 25^ 

How to keep pure the air of the sick- 
room 259 

Sunshine. 

The instinct of a potato 259 

A tadpole could not become a frog with- 
out sunshine 259 

Its value to the sick 260 

An overdose, sunstroke 261 

How to avoid it 261 

A Good Temper. 

Its value to health 262 

Chronic grumblers never well 263 

Petulance worse than grumbling 203 

Violent temper worse than petulance. . 264 

Don't slop over 264 

Keep the Feet Warm. 

The prevalence of cold feet . 265 

How this condition affects health 265 

How to preserve the warmth of the 

feet 266 

Artificial heat injurious 266 

How to cure chronic cold feet 266 

Spring Renovation. 

Habits of mankind make it necessary.. 268 

Taking bitters 269 

An injurious remedy 269 

The proper course to take 270 

Concluding suggestions of the chapter. 270 



CHAPTER IV. 



Common Sense Remedies. 



Introductory words 272 

ftediield describes the natural physician 273 

Vegetable Medicines. 

Che trees, herbs, etc., possess all the me- 
dicinal properties of minerals 273 

The bone turned into a flower 274 

Vegetation possesses sensorial power". ! 276 

Its life is like your morning nap 276 

Paracelsus the Adam of the medical 

world 276 

The origin of the term "Quack" 277 

Mercury as a remedial agent 278 

Its injurious effects exhibited 278 

Medical men worshiping the metal 

calf 281 

The allopath owning up 281 

41 Medicine a humbug " 281 

How the animals doctor themselves. . . 284 

Cultivated herbs worthless 284 



Therapeutic Electricity. 

Its value as an auxiliary agent 285 

Dr. Ure's theory refuted 286 

The philosophy of respiration 287 

Electricity must be skillfully applied , . 288 

A rap at old fogies 296 

What constitutes a good operator 297 

The testimony of distinguished writers 300 

Animal Magnetism. 
Is it a humbug ? What you say and do 300 

Mesmerism and hypnotism 301 

Brief review of its history 301 

Investigations 100 years ago; to-day. . 302 
Prof. Crooks' and Mr. Cox' teachings 

concerning psychic force 303 

Dr. Richardson's nerve-ether 304 

Miraculous cures, by faith and prayer. 305 

Some personal experiences 306 

Massage— by the opposite sex 307 

Massage in Japan— illustrated. . .... 308 



Xll 



CONTENTS. 



Water. 

PAGE 

Held in estimation in all ages 309 

Priessnitz made it a one " cure alP 1 309 

Valuable only as an auxiliary 310 

Philosophy of the " water cure " 310 

Explained on electrical principles 310 

The testimony of Faraday 311 

Who are injured by hydropathy 31 1 

People commit suicide with water. .... 312 



Medicated Inhalation. 

PAGB 
Valuable assistance in treating pul- 
monary diseases 318 

Good for nothing alone 314 

Conclusion, 

Successful doctors don't ride one hobby 314 
Different constitutions require different 
remedies.,,. 31& 



CHAPTER V. 



Doctors. 



The hard raps they receive 316 

What Voltaire thought of the doctors. 316 
What a reverend gentleman said of him 316 

The Indian joke on the doctor 317 

The non-thinking booby class 318 

Why the people lack confidence 318 

Doctors " Jacks at all Trades." 

There should be three distinct branches 

in the medical profession 319 

What constitutes a surgeon 319 

A physician in acute disease 319 

A physician in chronic disease 319 

Female Doctors. 

Fitness of women for the profession . . 321 

A prescription for conservatives 321 

The natural qualifications of women . . 322 



Women who have become tooted in 

medicine 322 

A startling proposition 323 

Women don't want female doctors 324 

Men have little confidence in masculine 

doctors 324 

What is sauce for the goose is sauce for 

the gander 325 

How the thing can be fixed 325 

Rapacious Doctors. 

Sharks of the profession 326 

Your money or your life 326 

Wrong to alarm patients 327 

A painful illustration given 327 

A striking case of humbug 327 

How the dishonesty of a physician may 

be detected 329 

Conclusion of Part I ..,,,.. 329 



PART II. 



CHRONIC DISEASES-THEIR CAUSES AND SUCCESSFUL 
TREATMENT. 



OPENING CHAPTER 
Chronic Diseases. 



Opening words 331 

Why the family physician is unsuccess- 
ful 331 

How a surgeon acquires his reputation 332 

Why a man of medicine must acquire 
his reputation slowly 332 

How the invalid becomes discouraged. . 333 



What is Chronic Disease ? 

Yague notions about it 333 

What Hahnemann said of it 334 

How Webster defines it 334 

The true definition 334 

How to overcome chronic disease 335 



CONTENTS. 



xm 



CHAPTER II. 
Chronic Diseases of the Breathing Organs. 



PAGE 

The importance of these organs 336 

The process of breathing explained 337 

How it arterializes the blood 338 

Chronic Catarrh of the Head. 

How it obstructs breathing 339 

The prevalence of the disease 340 

The profession befogged about it 340 

The curious notions of the ancients... 340 

The popular remedies 340 

Easy to account for catarrh 341 

When it may be regarded as chronic. . 841 
The proper treatment of catarrh ...... 342 

Chronic Affections of the Throat. 

A peep into the throat 343 

Avoid cauterization 844 

The immediate and predisposing causes 844 
Gargles afford only temporary relief. . . 345 
Local treatment not sufficient 345 

Chronic Bronchitis. 

An obstinate, but curable disease 345 

Bronchitis mistaken for consumption. . 347 
Valuable advice 347 

Asthma. 

Symptoms— relations to other diseases 349 
Over excitable nerves; impure blood.. 350 



PAGE 

Its nature explained 350 

Its successful treatment 351 

Consumption. 

Terror in the name 351 

Is it an incurable disease ? 351 

The nature of the disease 352 

What are tubercles 353 

Treatment of chronic diseases of the 

breathing organs 354 

The Dutchman's^dog-liver oil 855 

Dyspepsia a common companion of con- 
sumption 356 

A hint to cod-liver-oil doctors 356 

The atmosphere best for consumptives 357 
How traveling improves the patient. . . 358 
Eastern and southern slopes of moun- 
tains beneficial 35S 

Theodore Parker to Dr. Bowditch 359 

The value of Mr. Parker's testimony.. 362 
The influence of liquor upon consump- 
tive patients 362 

Hemorrhage of the lungs curable 362 

Persons may live with one lung 363 

President Day a consumptive in youth 364 

Had ulcers and cavities 364 

Was cured and lived to ninety -five 364 

Cheerfulness essential to a cure 364 

How the lungs work 364 

How the lungs may become paralyzed . 365 
The proper treatment of lung affections 866 
Ordinary drugging injurious ,,,,,,,,.. 366 



CHAPTER III. 



Chronic Diseases of the Liver, Stomach, and Bowels. 



Opening words 368 

The process of digestion plainly de- 
scribed 368 

Chronic Affections of the Liver. 

Liver the largest organ in the body. . . 370 

The cause of torpidity 370 

Torpid livers most common in the 

South and West 371 

Why it is so 371 

How to avoid the disease 372 

The negro not subject to the disease. . . 373 

Why he is not 373 

How his nose, lips, and skin protect 

kA ^m. 373 

Advice to Western and Southern friends 374 

isumerous functions of the liver 376 

Biliousness explained— liver torpor... 377 

Organic disease, cirrhosis 377 

Liver torpor and constipation ... 378 

Objection to calomel or mercurials. . 378 

Formation of gall-stones 379 

The pancreas— its obscure affections. . 379 



Dyspepsia. 

The immediate causes £30 

The predisposing causes .... 881 

Fat dyspeptics. 882 

Nervous dyspepsia 882 

Dyspeptic symptoms 883 

A dyspeptic cannot be a practical Chris- 
tian 883 

Lean dyspeptics 3S3 

The management of dyspepsia 3S4 



Constipation. 

The course of food followed from the 

inlet to the outlet 886 

How the waste matters are expelled. . . 886 
The immediate causes of constipation. 3S7 

Tho predisposing causes 387 

How constipation injures the procrea- 

tive system 3S8 

How it affects both sexes, ,,,,,, 388 



xiv 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

The formation of fecal plugs 389 

How to remove them 389 

Disagreeable effluvia of constipated 

people 390 

Advice in regard to food 390 

Chronic Diarrhoea. 

The disease described 892 

The causes 393 

Indiscreet treatment 394 

What should oe done 394 

Hemorrhoids or Piles. 

The rectum described 394 

Where piles locate themselves 395 

Itching piles 395 

Tumorous and varicose piles 395 

Bleeding piles 395 

Immediate causes of piles 396 

Bad habits at the closet 39 6 

The predisposing causes of piles 397 

Remedial agentsT 398 



Fistula in Ano. 

PAGE 

Its cause 399 

Its management 400 

Stricture of the Rectum. 

Its cause : ...,. t _ 400 

Its symptoms ..'. ".. 40j 

Its treatment 401 

Falling of the Rectum. 

The disease described 401 

Its cause and management 401 

Ulceration of the Bowels. 

Its causes and symptoms 401 

The proper remedy 402 

Intestinal Worms. 

The human family wormy : 402 

How to get rid of them 403 



Heartaches and headaches 404 

Acres of aches 404 

Bilious Headache. 

Child born without a head 404 

Bilious headache common 405 

What produces it 405 

Its effects 406 

No person need suffer with it 406 



408 
409 



CHAPTER IV. 
Aches and Pains. 

Congestive Headache 

Vho are most liable to it 

The remedy 

Neuralgia. 

As well look into Robinson Crusoe as 
into medical books for its true pa- 
thology 409 

Its nature— successful treatment 410 

Rheumatism. 



Nervous Headache. 

What causes it 407 

Its treatment 408 



This disease never correctly understood 411 

A self-evident explanation given 412 

The nature of acute rheumatism 413 

Chronic rheumatism explained 413 

Treatment 413 



CHAPTER V. 
Affections of the Eyes and Ears. 



The importance of eyes and ears 415 

Hard to <;et through the world without 
them 415 

Old Eyes. 

How the sight becomes impaired 415 

How to preserve the sight 420 

How to restore it 421 

Near Sight. 

Valuable hints to near-sighted people. . 422 
How near sight may be improved 423 

Chronic Sore Eyes. 

The mechanism of the eye described.. 423 

Interesting to the plainest reader 423 

How inflammation affects the eyes 424 



How sore eyes are induced 425 

The treatment of chronic sore eyes 425 

Amaurosis. 

Its nature and cause 426 

II ow its approach is indicated 42:> 

Hints to those affected - 426 

Cross Eyes. 

Good for schoolmasters 426 

Troublesome to other people 427 

Their treatment 427 

Other diseases of the eye 427 

Defective Hearing. 

How we are made conscious of sound 428 
The organs of the ear plainly described 428 

Causes of defective hearing 429 

How roaring in the ears is produced. . . 432 
Advice to deaf people ,,.,,,,,,,....... 432 



7 CONTENTS. 



XV 



CHAPTER VI. 

Diseases of the Heart. 



PAGE 

One of Artemus "Ward's jokes 434 

How people are liable to be mistaken . . 435 



PAGE 

Causes of palpitation 435 

Advice to invalids 436 



CHAPTER VII. 
Chronic Affections of the Urinary Organs. 



The urinary organs plainly described.. 43T 

Bridget and the water-pipes 438 

Man and his water-pipes 438 

Diseases of the Kidneys. 

Chronic inflammation of the kidneys.. 439 

Chronic weakness 440 

Consumption of the kidneys 440 

Bright's disease 441 

Examination of urine in Bright's 442 

Treatment of Bright's— a case cited.. . 443 

Kidney Colic. 

Kidney stones or calculi—their exit. . . 444 

Disease of the Bladder. 

Cystitis ; inflammation of the bladder. 444 



Symptoms— question of " stone " 445 

Treatment of cystitis 445 

Prostatic enlargement 445 

Gravel 446 

Gonorrhoea and Stricture. 

How contracted 446 

Gonorrhoea innocently caught 447 

The symptoms in men 447 

Symptoms in women 447 

" Infallible recipes" 448 

People strictured by them 448 

Stricture of the urethra illustrated 449 

What causes stricture 449 

Treatment of diseases of the urinary 

organs ,,,..,,.,..........., 450 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Private Words for Women. 



Opening words 451 

The prevalence of uterine diseases 453 

Derangements of the Monthly 
Flow. 

Mothers should counsel their daughters 453 

The function of menstruation 454 

Wnat frightened girls have done 454 

When menstruation commences 454 

Symptoms preceding menstruation 454 

M The turn of life " explained 455 

It often takes place prematurely 455 

A common fallacy exposed. . 455 

What is the use of menstruation 456 

An interesting explanation 456 

Relationship between the breasts and 

uterine organs 456 

Irregular and painful menstruation. . . . 457 

Immoderate flowing or flooding 458 

Insufficient or slight menstruation 45S 

Suppressed menstruation 459 

How to distinguish, suppressed men- 
struation from pregnancy 459 

Menstrual derangements should not be 

neglected .. 460 

Advice to sufferers 460 

Leucorrhoea. 

This difficulty described 460 

Its debilitating tendency 461 



The predisposing causes 461 

Drolleries respecting the hymen 464 

The hymen a cruel and unreliable test 

of virginity 465 

The natural purpose of the hymen .... 467 
The treatment of leucorrhoea 469 

Falling of the Womb. 

Co-existent with civilization 470 

Local symptoms not always present. . . 471 

Valuable hints to sufferers 472 

Ulceration of the womb 474 

Polypus of the womb 474 

Dropsy of the womb 474 

Chronic inflammation of the womb . . . 476 

Vaginal Affections. 

The vagina described 476 

The diseases to which it is subject 476 

Some plain remedies presented 477 

Nymphomania. 

Excessive amativeness on the part of 
the female 477 

The causes 478 

Females thus suffering deserve sympa- 
thy 4T8 

My mode of treatment ...,,,, 479 



XVI 



CONTENTS. 



Amorous Dreams. 

PAGE 

Women as well as men subject to them 4T9 
Practically involuntary masturbation . . 4T9 

How they injure health 479 

How it happens that apathetic married 

women sometimes have them 4S0 

Their treatment 4S1 

Anthropophobia and Sexual Apathy. 

Symptoms 481 

Healthy females subject to amative ex- 
citement 481 



Sexual Dyspepsia* 

PAGB 

A. new name 481 

Married women subject to the disease . 482 

The husband in purgatory .... 482 

Causes and treatment 482 

Ovarian Diseases. 

Might properly find place here . 4°^ 

Deferred for another chapter 433 

Treatment of the diseases of this chap- 
ter 4# 

Curative powers of electricity ,,,,.,... 48' 



CHAPTER IX. 

Hints to the Childless. 



Barrenness abhorrent to every one. .. 485 
The charm of " our baby 486 

Causes of Barrenness. 

Irremediable causes 489 

Causes that may be obviated 490 

Local Inadaptation. 

Its prevalence 490 

Local inadaptation illustrated 492 

Diseased Condition of the Wife. 

Womb diseases, 498 

Ovarian , 500 

Diseased secretions of the vagina 502 

Obstructions of the fallopian tubes .... 503 

Scrofulous causes 503 

Excess of flesh 503 

Impotency of the wife 504 

Tumorous obstructions 504 

Menstrual derangements 504 



Diseased Condition ofthe Husband. 

The husband frequently at fault 504 

Common causes of male barrenness . . 505 

Excessive Amativeness. 

May cause barrenness 507 

On the part of the husband 507 

On the part of the wife 507 

Temperamental Inadaptation. 

What is it 509 

An important essay 509 

How to promote Child-bearing. 

The most susceptible period 511 

Plain rules for remedying local inadap- 
tation 51i 

How obstacles resulting from disease 

may be removed 514 

Hints to those excessively amative 516 

Advice to those temperamentally ina- 

dapted 516 

A word to jealous husbands 518 



CHAPTER X. 

Private Words for Men. 



How little men know of themselves . . 520 
An instance given 520 

The Penis and its Diseases. 

Two views of the organ given 521 

Its mechanism plainly described 521 

Deformities of this organ 522 

Can it be enlarged ? 522 

Diseases of the penis 522 

Chancre described 523 

What should be done with this disease. 523 

Necessity of personal cleanliness 524 

Affections of the urethra 524 

Diseases of the foreskin 525 

Valuable advice 525 

Phimosis plainly described 525 

Circumcision explained 525 

How easily diseases are communicated 
through the penis 526 



The Scrotum and its Diseases. 

The scrotum described 526 

Its diseases 526 

The Testicles and their Diseases. 

Their structure plainly described, 
where they are formed and how 
they descend 527 

The complexity ofthe procreative ma- 
chinery of man 528 

Intensely interesting matter 528 

Diseases of the testicles 530 

Seminal Weakness. 

Technically called spermatorrhoea. .... 532 

Are involuntary emissions natural 532 

The idea ridiculous and its fallacy ex- 
ploded...^,. ...,,,,,,., 538 



CONTENTS. 



XV13 



PAGE 

The author's experience in treating 

this affection 534 

Two kinds of spermatorrhoea 585 

Complicated spermatorrhoea 53T 

The only rational mode of treatment.. 53S 

An interesting case presented 539 

Avoid clap-traps and catchpennies 540 

The disease of tale-bearer 540 



Satyriasis. 



Excessive passion in males 541 

A woman's vitriol cure 541 

Ever so many manias 541 

Satyriasis one of them . . 542 

Rape a terrible offence 542 

How the perpetrator should be treated 542 

Dietetic and medicinal remedies 543 



CHAPTER XI. 

I m potency. 

Females as well as males impotent. . . 544 I Impotency causes dissatisfaction 549 

The causes 546 An interesting example. 549 

The mental congress of bumps 547 | The only rational treatment 549 



CHAPTER XII. 



Concluding Essays on 
Nervous Diseases. 

Neurasthenia— nerves without strength 552 

From sexual and other causes 552 

Patients who slight their ailments 553 

Others who magnify theirs 553 

Hypochondria— always some basis . . . 553 
Queer mental and nervous symptoms.. 554 

Hysteria— a kind of neurasthenia 554 

Occurs in men and boys . . 555 

A typical case states her symptoms. . . 555 
Causes of neurasthenia and its finale.. 556 
The elements of the nervous system. . 557 

How they appear when exhausted 558 

How they recuperate— food and rest. . 559 
How they wither by poison— alcohol.. 560 
Paresis; exhaustion and softening... 561 

Paresis and paralysis, contrasted 562 

Facial paralysis ; shaking palsy ; ataxy 563 

Epilepsy — sexual vices as a cause 564 

Symptoms of attack and treatment. . . 565 

Means for curative treatment 565 

Functional or organic disease— which. 566 

The sympathetic nervous system 567 

Why we grow pale or blush 568 

Malnutrition and atrophy 568 

Living skeletons— wasting palsy f 69 



Scrofula. 

Origin and nature of scrofula 569 

Heredity by evil nerve impression 570 

Symptoms and varieties of scrofula. . . 571 

Pott's -disease, rickets, tumors 571 



Disease. 

Cancer. 

Blood, nervous or ''germ 1 ' disease?.. 
Varieties and modes of treatment . . . 
Cancer cells from Gen. Grant's throat. 

Syphilis. 

Is it parasitic or what ? 

How transmitted to the "innocent 11 . 

World-wide extent of this disease 

Its " initial sore " — how acquired 

Course and symptoms — '"secondary" 
Third or "tertiary" stage; curability. 
Marriage and parentage of syphilitics. 
Diagnosis and treatment 



Skin Diseases. 

Anatomy of the skin 

Various signs or " lesions '* of disease 

Hives or urticaria; roseacea 

Pruritus— itching prurigo 

Herpes; herpes zoster f eczema 

Other scaly skin diseases 

Psoriasis ; comedones, " worms **..., 

Acne — pimples; boils, carbuncles 

Parasitic skin diseases— itch 

Pediculi or lice ; ringworm 

Tinea versicolor, or pityriasis 

Facial blemishes 



572 
574 
573 



574 
574 
575 
575 
576 
577 
577 
578 



579 
581 
582 
583 
584 
5S5 
586 
587 
588 
589 
589 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Treatment of Disease 

People dosed to death 590 

Everybody his own doctor 591 

Dietetics 586 

Clear conscience better than a petted 
stomach 596 



Warranting cures 597 

Points for consultants 600 

List of questions 601 



CONTENTS. 

PART III. 



Plain Talk 



ABOUT THE SEXUAL ORGANS; THE NATURAL RELATIONS OF 
THE SEXES; CIVILIZATION, SOCIETY, AND MARRIAGE. 

OPENING CHAPTER. 

Introductory Words. 



PAGE 

"Whv this matter is presented 605 

Individual happiness trampled out. . . 606 



PAGK 

Our civilization 606 

Only the shadow of what is to come . . 607 



CHAPTER II. 
The Sexual Organs. 



Opening words 608 

The Causes of their Disgrace. 

How came they to be regarded with dis- 
favor ? 608 

The question answered 609 

Their deification by the Pagan world.. 609 

Nailing horseshoes over the door 609 

The origin of the custom 609 

Bexual organs still deified in Japan 610 

Christianity and Mohammedanism ar- 
rayed against this worship 611 

The result of the conflict 611 

Their Influence on Physical De- 
velopment. 

Parable of the acorn and plum-stons.. 612 

How the two sexes grow up 612 

The point of physical departure 612 

I will tell you a secret 613 

What produces the womanly character- 
istics 613 

What produces the masculine charac- 
teristics 613 

Interesting philosophy 613 

Evidences sustaining the author 614 

Their Influence on Health. 

Iiove platonic before pubescence 616 

After pubescence then what ? 616 

Women need the magnetism of men.. 617 

Man needs woman's magnetism 617 

The sexes need the magnetism of each 

other 617 

These propositions 6ustainrtl by facts.. 617 
Nature's demands and the fiat of cus- 
tom at variance 618 

The passions an integral part of the in- 
dividual 618 



Henry Ward Beecher on this subject. . 619 

Asceticism at war with nature 619 

The uses and abuses of the sexual organs 620 
Women suffer most from sexual starva- 
tion 621 

Sensible words from Dr. Oliver Wen- 
dell Holmes 621 

How they are made the Instru- 
ments of Pleasurable Emotions. 

Philosophy of sexual intercourse 622 

Electricity in three forms the source of 

sexual enjoyment 623 

Individual electricity G23 

Chemical electricity 628 

Frictional electricity 629 

Only the last employed in masturbation 629 

The office of the pubes C30 

Generative* system the perfection of 

Divine mechanism 630 

Ignorance leads to itspervertion 630 

How they are made instrumental 
in Perpetuating the Race. 

The amative function separate from the 

procreative 630 

The distinction defined 631 

The moral character of sexual inter- 
course 631 

How the male and female germs unite. 632 

A new theory 633 

Facts to sustain it 634 

Their Influence on the Social Posi- 
tion of Women. 

These organs have made man master.. 635 

A race of Amazons 635 

What Aristotle said of women- •• . --• • 636, 



CONTENTS. 



XIX 



PAGE 

How they were trearted in Rome and 

Greece 636 

Did women cause the fall of the Re- 
public 636 

The great men of those times 637 

Why they were so 637 

Whv the Republic collapsed 637 

What St. Paul said of woman 633 

The views of the Apostles due to the 

sentiment of the times 638 

Position of the church in the 4th cen- 
tury in regard to woman 639 

Results of mixing Roman and German 

civilizations 639 

Strong-minded mothers necessary for 

strong-minded sons 639 

Gallantry mistaken for justice 640 

And soft soap for equity 640 



Their Influence on Civilization. 

PAGB 

The question of man's origin avoided.. 640 

The first traditions 641 

The beginning of civilization 642 

Influence of the sexual organs thereon . . 642 

Early polygamy 642 

Induced compulsatory monogamy 642 

How the two systems of marriage in- 
augurated prostitution 643 

Encouragement of prostitution by the 

ancients 643 

How it is in Japan 644 

Our civilization a heterogeneous mix- 
ture of past social organizations... 644 
We have not gathered the cream nor 

the dregs of the past 644 

The concealed wormwood that embit- 
ters social life , 645 



CHAPTER III. 



History of Marriage. 

Introductory scraps of history 646 

First attainable accounts 646 

Thirty -eight hundred years B. C 646 



History of Polygamy. 

Reason why Adam had but one wife. . . 647 

Marriage in Noah's time 647 

Menes founder of Egyptian marriage G48 

His system practical polygamy 648 

Fu Hi, originator of Chinese marriage 649 

His system polygamic 649 

The polygamy of the ancient Hebrews. 649 

How Joseph introduced it into Egypt. G50 

The story of Moses 650 

An interesting narrative 651 

His treatment of women 651 

The polygamy of David and Solomo:i. . 652 

Solomon surrounded by 1,000 women 652 

How he felt about it 652 

The Jewish tenacity to polygamy 653 

Cecrops, inventor of Grecian marriage . G53 

The system practical polygamy 653 

But a step toward monogamy 653 

Prostitution succeeded concubinage . . . 653 
The domesticity of the wife and the 

power of the courtesan 653 

Men compelled to marry . „ G55 

Grecian law concerning divorce 655 

The blending of Grecian and Roman 

civilizations 655 

The result on marriage 655 

Polygamy in ancient Persia 656 

Polygamy after the Christian era 656 

The story of Mohammed 656 

A curious story of this prophet 657 

He left only nine widows 657 

The spread of Mohammed's polygamy. 657 

The ravishing girls of Paradise 658 

The women of musk 653 

Luther and polygamy 696 

Early American polygamy 659 

History of Monogamy. 

Vt» ancient origin 659 



Offspring of masculine poverty and fe- 
male scarcity 

The oldest form of Roman marriage. . . 

Were there divorces in ancient Rome ? 

Woman's position under the republic. 

The introduction of Grecian customs. . 

Radical changes 

Fathers compelled to find husbands for 
their daughters 

Commencement of the Christian era. 

How Jesus was annoyed with the mar- 
riage question 

Harpings of the Scribes and Pharisees. 

German marriage previous to the Chris- 
tian era 

German appreciation of woman 

How they regulated family matters . . . 

Back again to the old empire 

Marriage in Nero's time . 



659 
660 
661 



663 
664 

664 
664 

665 
665 
666 
666 
666 
666 
667 
667 
667 

669 



The first Christian emperor 

Pagan and Christian law at variance . . . 
The early Christians opposed marriage 
Their opposition in the 4th century . . . 
Marriage from the 5th to the 15th cen- 
turies 

The sexual immorality of those times . 

The ascetics of that period 66y 

Marriage in ancient Scandinavia 671 

The considerate treatment of women 
by these people 679 

Historical Chips. 

Items of history not previously given. 673 
Cicero's idea of the necessity of sexual 

association 676 

Curious usages 676 

Promiscuous bathing in Russia C77 

Curious marriage usages reported by 

Captain Cook 679 

Selling girls at auction C7f 

Examination of candidates for matri- 
mony 680 

How the Jews regarded marriage 6S0 

The courtesan s of Venice 681 

Marrying sisters in ancient Peru • . 6S1 



XX 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Marriage as it is in Barbarism and Civilization. 



PAGE 

Opening words 684 

Marriage in the Old World. 

In Egypt 6S4 

The women of Egypt 684 

Their stories and murmurs 685 

Marriage in China 685 

The ceremony described 686 

A baby in the bride's lap 6S8 

Marriage in Japan 688 

A wise Japanese that knows his own 

mother!... 688 

Japanese civilization 689 

Sell daughters to pay debts 689 

Prostitution in Japan respectable 690 

The bathing-houses of Japan 690 

Position of" women in Japan 690 

What a girl costs in Japan 690 

Marriage in Asiatic Kussia 691 

Among the Siberians 692 

Marriage in Persia 692 

Marriages for ninety years 692 

Curious customs in various countries. . 694 

Marriage in Hindostan , 694 

Marry at eleven 694 

Begin to bear children at twelve 694 

Women with a plurality of husbands. . 694 

A woman the wife of several brothers . 695 

Free love in Abyssinia 695 

Marriage in the Barbary States 695 

Wife carried home in a cage 695 

African customs v 696 

Marriage and divorce in England 699 

Under curren t of English married life . . 702 

Marriage in Spain 703 

In France 708 

What a young woman saw in Paris. . . . 704 

Unfortunate girls of Paris 706 

A queer institution 707 

Marriage in Portugal, Switzerland, and 

Italy 708 

In Greece, Prussia, Russia, and Austria 709 

Illegitimate births at Vienna. 709 

Marriage in Sweden and Norway 710 



PAG* 

Sexual immorality there 710 

Marriage in Turkey 711 

Marriage in the New World. 

In South America 711 

In North America 713 

In the United States and Territories... 715 

Marriages of convenience 715 

How gold kidnaps women 716 

Exchanges and elopements 718 

Divorce laws 718 

Customs of the Oneida Community 719 

Complex marriage 719 

History of the Community 720 

The costume of the women 721 

How their work is done 721 

The condition of their children 722 

Interesting statistics 723 

The promise of the older ones 725 

Bearing off the palm in the medical 

school 727 

What a physician says of the Commu- 
nity 723 

Declaration of principles 730 

A social analysis 731 

The alternatives of women . 733 

Marriage, prostitution, old maidhood. 733 

Their condition in the Community 734 

Civilization and communism 734 

Civilization and barbarism compared.. 734 

The principle of root, hog, or die 738 

History of Mormonism 739 

Smith'tho Great 740 

How he inaugurated polygamy 740 

How he left the planet 740 

Hep worth Dixon among the Mormons 741 

An interesting narrative 741 

Marriage among the Mormons 743 

Sealing the living to the dead 744 

Swarms of babies 745 

Mormon girls don't like polygamy 746 

The religious ideas of the saints 746 

Concluding reflections 747 



CHAPTER V, 



Infects in M 

What science and art ora doing 749 

Why marriage remains unimproved . . . 749 

Is marriage a Divine institution ? 750 

If so, which of the systems ? 750 

How wives were formerly " taken".. . 751 
Pagan priests first solemnized marriage 751 
The practice adopted by the Christian 

clergy 751 

Next marriages performed at the church 

door 751 

Subsequently performed in the church 751 



arriage Systems. 

Demerits of Polygamy. 

The objections to the system 753 

Demerits of Monogamy. 

The effects of idolatrous unions 754 

The results of milk and water attach- 
ments 755 

What incompatible unions lead to 755 

How some classes are affected by the 
monogamic system 755 



CONTENTS, 



Xxi 



PAGE 

A word about widows 756 

Selfishness in monogamy 756 

Its interference with maternity 757 

"Woman's natural desire for children. . . 757 
Miss Polly Baker prosecuted for 

bastardy 75S 

Her defence 758 

She never refused an offer of marriage. 759 



Her charge against bachelors 759 

Her subsequent marriage and irre- 
proachable character *iqq 

Effects of monogamy on children 760 

Married people grow apart 761 

Change in temperament 762 

Illustrations given 762 

Further sexual philosophy , . . . , 763 



CHAPTER VI. 



The Remedy 

The existence of evil. ... 765 

Our duty to get rid of it 765 

A new order of things necessary 765 

A work of time 765 

"Jenny June's 11 visit to the Communists 766 
Henry Ward Beecher on institutions . . 767 

The merits of complex marriage 767 

The merits of polygamy 768 

Polygamy and the New Testament. ... 770 
Necessity for some legal regulations ... 770 



Hens and jackasses laughing at some- 
thing 

Eome had a censor 

We want a secretary of marriage 

A commissioner of agriculture 

A human being of as much consequence 
as a big potato 

The heathen of Manhattan Island 

Social experiments should be en- 
couraged ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 



772 
772 
772 
773 



774 
775 



CHAPTER VII. 



Sexual Immorality. 



Is sexual morality prevalent ? 776 

Where is the oasis ? 776 

It is not in our cities . 776 

It is not in our villages 776 

It is not in small neighborhoods 77b 

How the author knows 776 

The Causes. 

Popular preaching based on a false idea 777 

Evidence that it is so 778 

Origin of the idea that the passions are 

essentially evil 778 

Its adoption by the Romish Church 778 

By Calvin and the Puritan Fathers 778 

A Pagan and not a Christian idea 779 



The Cure. 

The silver rule of Confucius 780 

The golden rule of Jesus 7S0 

The original formation of society 7S0 

The mutual understanding established. 781 

A demoralizing spectacle 7S2 

The vow of fidelity 7-2 

The judgment of Antonius Pius 7S2 

Something about free-lovers 783 

About libertines 783 

Persuading others to do what ! you 

would not have done to your own. . 784 
The platform of sexual moralitv com- 
plete 7S4 

Broad enough for everybody 784 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Conclusion of Part Third. 



The founders of Rome as austere as our 
Puritan Fathers 

Th-3 reaction 

Christianity could not control it 

The rise of Protestantism 

Its influence on marriage 

Growing agitation upon the marriage 
question 

Opposition to the marriage institution. . 

Let us have facts and experiences 

Eev. A. P. Stanley on science and reli- 
gion ,. tf .,,...,,,, 



7SS 



An alliance between science and reli- 
gion recommended 788 

Opinions guarded like wallets 789 

Everybody should think aloud. 790 

People afraid to express opinions 790 

They perish with them 790 

Toleration necessary 790 

Or we must wear the opinions of pre- 
decessors 790 

George William Curtis on public opin- 
ion 791 

Public opinion a serpent 791 



XX11 



CONTENTS. 



PART IV, 



SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF POPULAR 
MARRIAGE, ETC. 



OPENING CH APTE R. 

Introduction. 



PAGE 

Monogamic marriage may be better 

than it is ' 793 

What its upholders should do 794 

What Mrs. Jameson says of it. ....... . 795 



PAG* 

What the clergy think of it 795 

What we want 795 

What the disaffected would do 795 

How the more fortunate feel , , 796 



CHAPTER II. 

Adaptation in Marriage. 



The importance thereof 797 

Necessity for platonic affection 797 

Reciprocity in the sexual relation 7D3 

The views of O. S. Fowler. 799 

. Advice to the reluctant wife 801 

Advice to the husband 801 

Provoke your wifo to love 802 

What is Mental Adaptation? 

What constitutes it 802 

Interesting philosophy 803 

How mental adaptation may be attained 804 

What is Physical Adaptation ? 

What constitutes it 805 

Magnetic adaptation SOS 

Temperamental adaptation 806 

Dr. William Byrd Powell on the tem- 
peraments 806 

The vital temperaments 807 

The sanguine and bilious temperaments 

described 807 

The non-vital temperaments 809 

The lymphatic and encephalic tempera- 
ments described, 809 

What induces the non-vital tempera- 
ments 811 

How the lymphatic temperament is in- 
duced 811 

How the encephalic temperament i3 in- 
duced 812 

Plain rules as to marriage 813 



The non-vital temperaments should not 
intermarry 

Intermarriage of the vital tempera- 
ments not advisable 

What combinations are best 

The mixture of two temperaments.... 

Plain explanations and descriptions 

The mixture of three temperaments. . . 

Explained in plain language 

The mixture of four temperaments 

An interesting fact 

Importance of temperamental adapta- 
tion 

The difference between vitality and vi- 
tal tenacity 

The influence of temperamental adap- 
tation on vital tenacity 

The observations of Dr. Powell 

The observations of the author 

A rule for determining vital tenacity . . 

The prevalence of incompatible mar- 
riages 

The difficulty in preserving compatibil- 
ity 

The effect upon offspring 

Why Mr. Wilkins loses all his little 
new-born pets 

How to guard against growing apart. . . 

How diversity of temperament may be 
promoted 

Dr. Powell's rules in selecting a partner 
in marriage 

The whole matter made plain 



8U 

813 

814 

814 
814 

818 
818 

821 
822 

823 

824 

824 
824 



S25 



826 
32« 



827 

S27 



CONTENTS. 



XX1U 



CHAPTER III. 
Law should enforce Adaptation in Monogamic Marriage. 



PAGE 

How it may be done 830 

A new plan suggested 830 

Marriage at present like a rat-trap 830 

Jiasy divorce alone will not answer S3 1 

Science should be brought to bear S31 

How it may be done 833 

How they do in Switzerland 834 

Marriage now a lottery S35 

How men and women deceive each 

other S35 

The man bribes the tailor 835 

Woman takes to cotton and whalebone 835 
The results of such devices 836 



PAOS 

Marriage should conform to mental and 

physical adaptation S87 

The plan to effect this 837 

The new plan as affecting divorce 838 

An amusing specimen of legislation 838 

How an application for divorce was 

treated 833 

The two mortal sinners remanded to 

purgatory 839 

How a court of divorce should be con- 
stituted 839 

Matrimonial underground railroads .... 840 
Necessity of a change, ,,,,,„,,,, 841 



CHAPTER IV. 



Three Phases of Monogam 

The world full of ill-assorted marriages 842 
Three of most prominent phases of mar- 
riage 842 

Mental Marriages. 

What constitutes them. 842 

Elopements from this class 843 

Physical Marriages. 

What constitutes them S44 

No social attraction at home 844 

Physically pleasurable and prolific 845 



ic Marriage Daguerreotyped. 
Lucifer Matches. 

How they may be defined 846 

The world full of them 846 

Whom we find in this division 846 

How gold kidnaps women 847 

Marrying for homes or riches S47 

Marrying to please relatives. S4S 

Milton's marriage, of the lucifer class. . 849 

His experience . 850 

Why the wives of bad men cling to 

them 850 



CHAPTER V. 

Philosophy of Elopements. 

Five huadred elopements in one year. . 852 I No such thing. . . 

Ascribed to depravity 852 | The true philosophy 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Intermarriage of Relatives. 

The Pope cannot make it work well . . . 857 I May as well marry a half-sister as a fail 

The effects of such marriages 857 cousin — the fact demonstrated S5S 

Why cousins should not marry .... 858 | How intermarriage may be prevented. 860 



CHAPTER VII. 



Essays for Married People 

Necessity of confidence in each other. . 861 

Heads and hearts must be open 861 

No necromancer's game 861 

Frankness indispensable S61 

Why happiness is impossible without 
it 862 

A peculiarity of the human mind des- 
cribed 862 

What mutual distrust leads to S62 

How to decide what is a secret 863 



The Wife the equal Partner. 

J£«A hold the purse-strings. .......,,, 863 



Fifty cents of every dollar belongs to 

the wife 863 

The fact demonstrated 863 

Her labors as valuable as his S64 

Black wives at the South unwilling to 

work for board and clothes S64 

Comments on spendthrifts S65 

Injustice to the wife in cases of separa- 
tion S65 

How the apple should be divided S66 



Sleeping apart. 

Why married people should sleep apart S6t 



XXIV 



CONTENTS. 



Philosophical reasons given. 

^Esthetic reasons given 

Love versus night-caps 

A peep at sleepers in stages. . 
Everybody snores a little. . . . 



869 



Sexual Moderation. 

Excess exhausts the system S69 

The fact philosophically explained 871 

What Dr. Dixon says of the evil 8T2 

Its effects upon the male 872 

Rj pon the female S72 

A good rule to pursue 873 

Jealousy. 

A common visitor at the family hearth. 873 

An infallible remedy 873 

For tho husband S73 

For the wife 8Y4 

Strange words, but true 875 

Prevention of Conception. 

The plan of the Oneida Communists. . . 876 
Mr. Noyes 1 discovery 876 



FAGS 

The author consulted by thousands on 
the subject of prevention 880 

Sexual Indifference. 

Frequent cause of .matrimonial infelicity 880 

Results from disease 880 

Or an uncongenial marriage 880 

Females more subject to it than males. 880 

The reasons 880 

Women become indifferent by absti- 
nence S81 

Men are maddened by abstinence 8S1 

Why it is so S82 

Want of magnetic adaptation illustra- 
ted 8S2 

How sexual passion may be destroyed. 8S3 
Indifference may be remedied 884 

Food for Pregnant Women. 

Valuable advice 884 

How to avoid pain in child-bed 8S4 

Card to Married People. 

Suggestions to the married. 886 

Barrenness and excessive child-bearing 886 
Both may be remedied 386 



Rules and facts 8S7 

The key to the mystery 887 

Why offspring resemble both parents. . . 890 
Why offspring resemble but one parent. 892 
Why offspring often look like good 

neighbors 893 

An illegitimate child impossible 894 

What Michelet says 894 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Philosophy of Child-Marking. 



Why widows often have children by 
the second husband resembling the 
first 894 

The first coition marks subsequent off- 
spring S94 

Interesting evidence 894 

How objects and frights mark or deform 
the child. , , 895 



CHAPTER IX. 

Essays W Young and Old bearing on Happiness in Marriage. 



S98 



S99 
899 
899 

900 



Opening word?-- 

Early Marriage. 

Expediency of early marriage , 

The two passions implanted" by God 

Nature indicates when to be gratified. . 
Tables of nature's commandments bro 

ken 

The tendency of celibacy 902 

The old bachelor like a Chinese junk 902 

Business avocations should be open 
to Females. 

Marriage as a refuge from pecuniary 

want 903 

What Mrs. Jameson Bays 903 

Women should not bo dependent on 
men 905 



Ladies should be allowed to Pop 
the Question. 

Have they not preferences 906 

What Southey said 907 

The temptation to accept the first offer. . 90T 
Women should assume the right to 
choose and propose 909 

Card to the Unmarried. 

Suggestions to those contemplating mar- 

~ riage 90? 

Advice cheerfully given 909 

Advertisements. 

The author's address . . 910 

Useful articles supplied by mail or ex- 
press .-- c. ..*#.».. 911 



Poverty or prostitution the result of 
false education. . ...,, 905 

APPENDIX. 

Prescriptions, Antidotes for poisons, Resuscitating the drowned. .Rules for 
care of infants. ... « 915 



OPPOSITE PAGE 25 



PLATE I. 



PLAIN HOMETALK. 




BY PERMISSION OF THE CHART OF LIFE CO. 

BACK AND SIDE VIEW OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, 
the brain and spinal cord, showing also the gang* 
lionic or sympathetic nervous system, and the 
location of the vital organs. 

The small figure, at the right, is a microscopic view 
of a nerve cell & process, and fibre with its sheath. 



PART I. 



Disease : Its Causes, Prevention, and Cure. 



OPENING CHAPTER 

DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES. 



'UR planet with each revolution car- 
ries a huge load of human suffering, a 
large portion of which arises from dis- 
ease. TTe see this enemy in the cradle, dis- 
torting the features and bedimming the eyes 
of innocent babes. Too often it carries its lit- 
tle victims to the burial-ground, bathed with 
the tears of mothers. We see it in youthhood, 
arresting the physical development of young 
men and young women ; consigning them to 
premature graves, or moving them like sickly 
shadows through years of hapless life. It 
rudely grasps people in the prime of life, and 
hurries them away from fields of useful labor to 
wearisome chambers, where the mind, which 
has been schooled to activity, becomes a dangerous ally to the enemy 
by chafing and fretting in its imprisonment. It lays violent hands on 
our gray -haired fathers and mothers, who yesterday greeted us with 
the smile, animation, and elasticity of youth, but who to-day go 
groping about with rounded shoulders and trembling steps. At 
2 




26 DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES. 

last, it arrests the physical functions, the outer shell returns to its 
original dust, and the inner, living body, enters the new life, where 
— may we hope — this fearful disturber of our comfort and happiness 
is refused admission. 

The Causes of Disease. 

Disease of every character, except that which may be induced by 
poison or by accident to body or limb, originates in a derangement 
of the circulation of vital electricity, disturbance of tho mind, or an 
abnormal condition of the blood. Wherever it begins, unless speedily 
checked, the whole system is soon convulsed in its grasp, because of 
the close relationship existing between the various organs of the 

Fig. l. 



CXPITOL OP THE NERVOUS 8Y8TEM. 

, The above represents a horizontal section of the brain and bones of the skull ; 
a a, outer layer of ash-colored matter; b &, the white or internal sub- 
stance of the brain ; c, the corpus callosum. 

body. Those who have neglected the study of Physiology, as well 
as all who have merely scanned the pages of ancient and modem 



THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 27 

superficial writings, will not readily comprehend the truth of these 
propositions. The most illiterate men of the civilized world are 
aware that they have a brain (however barren of idea), and that 
their bodies have nerves, arteries, and veins. But few physicians, 
especially of the old prejudiced school, know the real offices of them. 
Doctors who have brandished scalpels in the dissecting-room can 
point out the exact locality of every nerve, vein, muscle, tendon, etc., 
but the means by which each performs its appropriate part, seldom 
awakens curiosity. Turn to a Medical Dictionary for a definition 
of the brain ; the learned physiological lexicographer says : — " The 
use of the brain is to give off nine pairs of nerves and the spinal 
marrow, from which thirty-one pairs more proceed, through whose 
means the various senses are performed, and muscular motion ex- 
cited." This is all very well so far as it goes, but it will not satisfy 
the mind of a thorough inquirer, nor illustrate the truthfulness of 
my first remark. The sublime powers and superior beauties of the 
brain are undiscovered in such a superficial definition. The object 
of this chapter requires a better one. Let us have a name for the 
brain which will convey a better understanding of its office. I pro- 
pose to call it the Capitol of the Nervous System. It stands in 
the same relation to the human body that Washington does to the 
United States. There are telegraphic wires proceeding from "Wash- 
ington which connect with other wires leading to every part of the 
Republic, and there are nerves proceeding from the brain which con- 
nect with other nerves leading to every part of the human system. 
These nerves are like telegraphic wires, and convey impressions to 
and from the brain with the velocity of lightning. They permeate 
the skin so extensively that a slight change in the atmosphere is 
quickly telegraphed to the physiological capitoh Experiment has 
demonstrated the fact, that the intelligence of an impression made 
upon the ends of the nerves in communication wit\ the skin, is trans- 
mitted to the brain with a velocity of about one Irmdred and ninety- 
five feet per second. Intelligence from the great toe is received 
through the nervoas telegraph at the physiological capitol, called 
the brain, in only about one-thirtieth of a second later than from the 
ear or face. 

The digestion of food, by which process blood is manufactured, 
depends upon the electric currents sent by the brain through the 
pneumo-gastric telegraph, or nerve, to the stomach. The correctness 



28 DISEASE AND JTS CAUSES. 

of this hypothesis has been illustrated by experiments, tried by a 
celebrated physician in England. In these, a couple of rabbits wera 
selected, which had been fed with the same kind and quality of food. 
On one of them he performed the operation of cutting the pneumo- 
gastric nerve leading to tho stomach. The latter being deprived of 
the nervous stimu "ant, the animal soon died from the effects of a 
loaded stomach coupled with suspended digestion. The other rabbit, 
which was not operated on, was killed after an interval of almost 
twenty-six hours, and on examination it was proved that the food in 
his stomach was entirely digested, while in that of the former, the 
food remained almost as crude and undigested as when it left the 
masticating organs. Another experiment was made upon two more 
rabbits in the same manner, except that after the nerves leading to 
the stomach were cut, galvanism was applied in such a way as to 
send the current through the disconnected nerves to the seat of di- 
gestion. At the end of twenty-four hours they were both killed, 
when it was found that the food in the stomach of the one whose 
nerves had been severed, and put in connection with the galvanic 
battery, was nearly as well digested as that in the other, which had 
not been operated on. These experiments show that the stomach 
depends for the performance of its office on the electrical or nervous 
stimulus which it receives from the brain. Similar experiments to 
those just mentioned have been tried with reference to the "heart 
and other organs, in all of which they ceased to perform their func- 
tions when the nerves were cut, and commenced again as soon as 
the galvanic fluid was applied. It is not necessary for the purposes 
of this essay, to demonstrate that galvanism and this nervous element 
provided by the brain are identical. It is evident that they are not ; 
but they are so closely related that one will perform the office of the 
other, and this fact m sufficient to show that the two forces or ele- 
ments are similar in their character, and that one is a modified form 
of the other. Animal magnetism, electro-magnetism, galvanism, and 
electricity, all differ a little from each other, and in employing the 
term electricity, chiefly, in speaking of the nervous forces, I do so 
because it is a tern better ^nders^o^d \yr foe mass s. 

I have said the brain is the capitol of the nervous system. It may 
also be called the great receiving and distributing reservoir of nervo 
electricity. It is largely composed of two substances, one an ash- 
colored matter, which, if spread out, would cover a surface of six 



THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 29 

hundred and seventy square inches ; the other, a fibrous matter, firm 
in texture, and tubular. The ash-colored matter is the receiving, 
and the fibrous matter the distributing reservoir. There are in other 
parts of the system various smaller receiving and distributing res- 
ervoirs, composed of the same substances, but all these are under 
the control of the superior one located in the brain. These are 
called by physiologists nerve centres, and to carry out the analogy 
between our nervous system, and the telegraphic system of our 
country, the nerve centres may be compared to our State capitals. 

The spinal cord is the great nervous trunk, or the main tele- 
graphic wire leading from the brain, and from the brain and spinal 
cord proceed the motor nerves, the nerves of sensation, and the 
nerves of special sense. With the motor nerves the mind telegraphs 
to the limbs to move, and they instantly obey, for the force they 
carry contracts one set of muscles and expands another; for elec- 
tricity, whether animal or mechanical, has the power to contract or 
expand any substance. By the action of the motor nerves upon the 
muscular system, the phenomena of animal motion is performed. 
Through the nerves of sensation the brain is quickly informed by the 
telegraph, if a wound is being inflicted upon any portion of the 
body, if disease is intruding itself upon any organ, or if any thing 
disagreeable or pleasurable is brought in contact with any part of 
the body. Through the nerves of special sense, the brain is informed 
by telegraph whether it be light, or dark — whether there be silence, 
or noise, etc. So we see that our great common Father, and not 
Professor Morse, was the inventor of telegraphy. To Morse belongs 
the honor, and it is indeed a great one, of having adapted this same 
system of intercommunication with the quickness of lightning be- 
tween villages, states, and nations ; a discovery which will event- 
ually unite all mankind in common sympathy and brotherhood. 

Most people know that telegraphic operators supply the electricity 
which they send over the wires, by galvanic batteries, prepared 
according to the usual processes explained in our school books of 
Philosophy. But whence is this animo-vital electricity we have been 
speaking of derived ? Well, I will tell you. The principal source is 
the stomach, that ever- active laboratory. The dissolution of any 
substance sets free the element commonly called electricity. The 
food you eat, if digestible, goes through a process of dissolution in 
your stomach, and as it dissolves, the electricity evolved ascends 



30 



DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES. 



through the nerves made for the purpose, to the ash-colored mat- 
ter of the brain. The vitalizing property of air is mainly electricity, 
and, consequently, we receive this element by the lungs and pores, 
from which it is taken up by the blood, and carried t^ the great 
receiving reservoir of the brain, which, I may add, accommodates 
*nore blood than the fibrous matter of the brain. The blood on 

entering the ash-colored mat- 
ter discharges its cargo of elec- 
tricity and nerve nutriment, and 
returns to the body for another 
load. 

Large quantities of animal 
electricity are also generated by 
the alkalies and acids of the ani- 
mal organism. The mucous 
membranes, or linings of the 
cavities, are continually excret- 
ing a semi-fluid called alkali, and 
the serous membranes, or outer 
coverings of the same, an aque- 
ous or watery fluid, called acid, 
k and according to the testimony 
of Dr. Bird, if these fluids are 
so placed as to be connected by 
parietes of an animal membrane, 
or a porous diaphragm, a current 
of electricity is evolved. 

Hence, we find that not only 
are our stomachs generating 
electricity, but we are inhaling 
it by our lungs, and our pores, 
and the external or serous, and 
internal or mucous surfaces, 
united as they arc by natural 
parietes and porous diaphragms, 
are producing it in large quantities. As it is produced, or enters the 
system, it is so modified as to be made fit for the uses of the body. 

The brain is as industriously distributing this vital electricity 
through the system, as the heart is in circulating the blood, and too 




PEOF. BRAIN'S TELEGRAPH. 



THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 31 

much, or too little, given to any particular organ, produces disease 
therein. The complete withdrawal of nervo -electricity from any 
part paralyzes it, so that it has neither sense nor motion. If with- 
drawn from the motor nerves only, sensation remains, while motion 
is lost ; if from the nerves of sensation only, then motion continues, 
but sensation is destroyed. If withdrawn from the nerves of special 
sense, the power of hearing, seeing, smelling, and tasting is lost ; or 
it may be withdrawn from only one set of the nerves of special 
sense, producing some of the foregoing difficulties, without affecting 
the other senses. Too little vital electricity given to the liver, 
renders that organ torpid — too much, causes nervous congestion and 
inflammation ; too little given to the stomach causes nervous dys- 
pepsia — too much makes the appetite voracious, and induces other 
derangements to the digestive machinery ; and hence, we see that 
to all the organs a proper quantity must be distributed, or disease 
results. 

It is unnecessary to pursue this explanation further to show that 
the nervous system is a complex piece of machinery, as delicate 
almost as the spider's web which is spread out over the meadow 
grasses, and that many diseases arise from a defective nervous 
system. Those which do not, and which may not come under the 
exceptions mentioned at the opening of this essay, can be traced to 
disturbances of the mind, or an abnormal condition of the blood. 

From what has already been said, it is apparent to any logical 
mind that diseases often result from trouble, or depression of mind. 
So closely allied are the brain and the nervous or telegraphic sys- 
tem, it is impossible for one to be disturbed without exciting the 
sympathy of the other. The brain, beside being the receiving and 
distributing reservoir of animal electricity, is the residence of the 
mind, or the spirit, and this immortal principle controls its action. 
When, then, any thing occurs to disturb the equanimity of the mind, 
the brain at once telegraphs the melancholy news over the wires, or 
nerves, to every organ of the body, and, like a well-regulated and 
affectionate family, all join in sympathy for the afflictions of the one 
which they regard as the head and provider. In some cases, when 
great grief or emotion is present, the brain works so actively in pro- 
ducing intense thought, that it consumes all, or nearly all the vital 
electricity of its reservoir, and when this bankruptcy takes place, it 
even withdraws that which it has supplied to the vital organs. "When 



32 



DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES. 



Fig. 3 



it reaches this crisis, death results. Emotions of the mind, it is well 
known, greatly affect the organic secretions, and Dr. Trail does not 
greatly magnify a fact, when he remarks " that they may be depraved 
or vitiated as readily by excessive mental emotion, as by a drug- 
poison taken into the stomach." 
He continues by saying, that " a 
paroxysm of anger will render 
the bile as acrid and irritating as 
a full dose of calomel ; exces- 
sive fear will relax the bowels 
equal to a strong infusion of 
tobacco ; intense grief will ar- 
rest the secretions of the gas- 
tric juice as effectually as bel- 
ladonna ; and violent rage will 
make the saliva as poisonous 
as will a mercurial salivation." 
Says Combe: "The influence 
of the brain on the digestive or- 
gans is so direct, that sickness 
and vomiting are among the ear- 
liest symptoms of many affec- 
tions of the head, and of wounds 
and injuries to the brain, while 
violent emotions, intense grief, 
or sudden bad news, sometimes 
arrest at once the process of di- 
gestion, and produce squeam- 
ishness, or loathing of food, al- 
though an instant before the 
appetite was keen. The influ- 
ence of the mind and brain over 
the action of the heart and 

lungs is familiar to every one. 
The heart and arteries that carry the ° 
good vital fluid to all parts of the body, and The sighing, palpitation, and 
veins that return the current to the heart, fainting so often witnessed as 

consequences of emotions of 
the mind, are evidences whicli nobody can resist. Death itself is not 
a rare result of such excitement in delicately-organized persons." 




THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 



33 



A story related by the late English author, Eliot Warburton, is 
interesting in this connection. "A Howadji, or sacred traveler 
(more given to lectures than to prayers), met the plague coming out 
of Cairo, and reproached that demon with his murderous work. 
' Nay,* said the fiend, ' I have slain 
but a few ; it is true that twenty 
thousand of the faithful have died, 
but only one-tenth of them fell by 
my hand — the rest were slain by 
my fellow-demon, Fear.'" 

In times of war, the influence 
of the mind on health has been 
many times strikingly exhibited. 
During the great Civil War be- 
tween the North and South, all 
newspaper readers knew of the 
fatality attending the Federal 
b 'Army of the Potomac," in the 
Chickahominy swamps. Most peo- 
ple attributed the prevalence of 
sickness and death among the sol- 
diers, at that time and place, sim- 
ply to the unwholesome air of the 
locality, but this was not all. It 
was a dark day in our country's 
history; many of our bravest men 
felt disheartened; and mental de- 
pression, if not despair, rendered 
our country's noble defenders sus- 
ceptible to malarious influences, 
and they became ready victims 
to the unwholesome vapors with 
which they were enveloped. 

The awful fatality attending Diagram of blood circulation • 1, 2, 

;, „. , . ^ * „ . left heart; 3, 4, right heart; 5, 6, lungs; 

the allied armies at the Crimea, 7j great arteries ; 8, brain ; 9, great 

was no doubt more attributable veins; 10, spleen; 11, intestines; 12,kid- 

f^w u n A ~.« ~ ^ j. j-i j. neys; 13, lower extremities ; 14, liver, 

to bad management on the part ' ' ' 

of the commanding officers than to inclement weather. The soldiers, 
having lost confidence in their commanders, became depressed in 

2* 




34 DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES. 

spirit; they were tilled with fearful forebodings; the buoyancy of 
their nervous system was disturbed, and thereby digestion impaired. 
Through these discouragements they were made susceptible to disease, 
and would have been liable to its attacks, however favorable the 
climate ; while a slight unfavorable change in a foreign atmosphere, 
under such circumstances, would induce fatal results. 

The English press attributed the sudden death of Lord Raglan to 
the censures heaped upon him at home. Many politicians in this 
country ascribe the brief illness which ended the career of America's 
greatest statesman, to disappointment in not receiving the Presi- 
dential nomination from a convention of his party. 

Thus we see the influence of the mind on the body is generally 
understood and admitted. But few stop to divine the means by 
which it is effected. It is well, therefore, to understand that every 
organ is notified on the telegraphic system, if any thing offends the 
spirit of the human being, and these organs are often taxed or com- 
pelled to give back part of the nervo-electricity with which they are 
performing their offices. If, through any accident to the limbs, 
contact with any powerful poison, or impurity of the blood, the har- 
monious evolution and circulation of the nervo-electric fluid in any 
part of the body are disturbed, the brain feels the effect, discovers 
the cause, and faithfully informs all the members of the family, who 
contribute vital healing forces with which they endeavor to conciliate 
the difficulty, and if they fail, the whole system is thrown into 
discord. 

Next, I will speak of the blood, for all diseases which do not arise 
from the causes already named and explained, have their birth in a 
deranged condition of that almost as mysterious fluid which circulates 
through the entire system. In plain language, the blood is fluid 
bone, fluid cartilage, fluid muscle, fluid nerve, and fluid every thing 
that goes to make up the human body. Technically, it is mainly 
composed of corpuscles floating in liquor sanguinis. These corpuscles 
are minute bodies, resembling, very nearly, in shape, pieces of coin, 
as represented in the illustration, Fig. 7. They can only be seen by 
aid of the microscope. There are two kinds of corpuscles, the red 
and the white, or colorless. In health, the red predominates in the 
ratio of three or four hundred to one of the white corpuscle. Hoffman 
estimates that there are twenty-eight pounds of blood in a man of 
average size. This fluid is circulated through the system by the heart, 



THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 



35 



Fig. 5. 




arteries, capillaries, and veins. The heart may be said to be the capitoi 
of the vascular system, as the brain is the capitoi of the nervous sys- 
tem. It may also be called the receiving and distributing reservoir of 
the blood, as the brain is the receiving and distributing reservoir of 
the nervo-electrical forces. The heart is an incessant worker and a 
good manager. It pumps vital or arterial 
blood through the arteries and capillaries 
to every part of the system, and pumps it 
back through the veins to itself again, 
and then pumps it into the lungs, to be- 
come revitalized by the oxygen of the 
air we breathe, from which it again 
receives it to send it on its recuperative 
mission. The heart undergoes four 
thousand contractions per hour ; each 
ventricle is reckoned to contain about 
one ounce, and therefore, we are 
brought to the astonishing realization 
that two hundred and fifty pounds of 
blood pass through it in that brief space 
of time. The fleshy parts of the body capitol of the vascular system. 
are filled with what are called capil- 1, The superior vena cava; 2, the 
laries. An Irishman once remarked, ^rior ^a cava; 3, the right au- 

ricle; 4, the right ventricle; 5, the 

that a gun was a hole with iron made situation of the tricuspid valves; 6, 

around it ; well, a capillary is a hole the partition between the two venr 

With animal fiber built around it, and tricles ' T, the pulmonary artery ; s, 

the point where it separates and en- 

there are so many of them that the hu- ters the right and left pulmonary 

man System almost resembles a sponge artery for the corresponding lungs; 

in Vascularity. People who are COn- 9, the four pulmonary veins bringing 

,. .. , . , . ,, . , ., the blood into the left auricle; 10, 

tinually drinking something when the the left auricle . ^ left ventricle; 

thermometer gets into the nineties, 12, location of mitral valve; 13, loca- 
must readily comprehend this state- tion of sigmoid valves of the aorta; 

, rp, ' , , , . t . 14, the position of the sigmoid valves 

ment. Thev are constantly drinking, e ., , . 

J J & ' of the pulmonary artery. 

and the water is constantly running out 

of them. Their clothing becomes saturated with their perspiration. 
Into the capillaries, the heart, through the arterial system, pours 
the life-giving blood, and after it has deposited its vital atoms, and 
taken up the worn-out ones, the heart sucks it up through the veins 
to be renewed. 



36 



DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES. 



The blood may be said to carry on a coast-wise trade with the 
various organs and tissues of the body. It goes out freighted with 
fresh living atoms, and visits every part of the body, even the 
bones and muscles, and gives that which will repair each part in re- 
turn for atoms which are no longer useful. These waste matters 

Fig. 6. 




A FROG'S FOOT. 



The Capillaries as seen in the web of a Frog's foot, under the microscope, 
yeins, and 2, 2, 2, the arteries. 



1, 1, are the 



it carries to the dumping grounds, called the lungs, liver, kidneys, 
and pores, and these organs empty them out through the channels 
nature has provided. The heart is the shipper. 

I have thus intruded these illustrations to present the whole 
matter clearly to the mind of the non-professional reader, and I 
trust I am fully understood. Now then, let us suppose the blood 
becomes impure, so that the heart has no good arterial fluid to dis- 
pense to the various organs. The latter are not only deprived of 
the nourishing properties of good blood, but are left to counteract, 
as best they may, its corrupt particles. The vital parts are placed 
in the position of a man with his hands tied, who is called upon, 
not only to feed, but defend himself. The result is, the human 
machinery becomes clogged with poisonous humors. These may 



THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 37 

block up the liver so that it can not perform its functions properly^ 
and thereby cause irritation, or inflammation, or they may produce 
a tubercular affection of that organ. They may attack the lungs, 
producing pulmonary disease. They may irritate or inflame the 
lining of the stomach so as to impair digestion, and ultimately 
induce obstinate dyspepsia. In short, no organ or fibre of the body 
is safe when they are present. These impurities are more liable to 
affect a person internally than externally. Many persons suppose 
if there are no pimples, blotches, ulcers, or tumors on the surface, 
the blood may be considered pure, no matter how much pain or 
suffering may be experienced inside of the outer covering. This is 
an error ; for many of the most troublesome affections of the hidden 
portions of the body are caused by blood impurities. Those who 
have them on the surface are the most fortunate, for, as a general 
rule, when the blood possesses strength enough to pitch these trouble- 
some particles out on the surface, it also possesses the ability to 
protect the internal organs from their corrupting influence. 

"What I have said in the foregoing relative to the blood, relates 
rather to active, than latent impurities. The latter may.be defined as 
those foreign properties in the blood, which, under favorable circum- 
stances, may induce disease. Ordinarily, a person having them is 
unconscious of their presence. They fellowship with the corpuscles 
of the blood, as masked hypocrites fellowship with Christians. But 
let some poisonous gases infest the atmosphere, and they at once, 
like the secreted burglar, open the doors of the system, coalesce 
with them, and induce fevers, or difficulties of some kind. I think 
fevers of all kinds, including scarlet fever and measles, may be 
traced to latent impurities in the blood. A person could hardly 
contract small-pox when exposed to it, except for these insidious 
properties which render the system susceptible. As a female germ 
can not produce a child without the addition of a male germ, so these 
latent impure particles in the blood can not generate disease without 
meeting their affinitive poison. Seed cast on ground not suited to 
it produces nothing, while simply the pollen blown from some dis- 
tant field on to just the right quality of soil, seems to meet some- 
thing equivalent to the ovule, from which vegetation starts up, as if 
by magic. It is a fact known to many scientific men, that in almost 
any locality, soil taken from a depth of thirty or forty feet is soon 
covered with white clover. This can only be accounted for by attrib- 



DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES. 



uting to this soil germinal qualities, which, brought in contact 
with the pollen of the clover carried perhaps miles on the wings of 
the wind, produce this species of vegetation. 

For a long time it has been thought that malarial fevers are at- 
tended with the invasion of the blood by some low and minute form 
of plant or animal organism, now called microbes. These can only 
be discovered by high power microscopes and expert manipulation. 
It is now pretty generally accepted that the animal parasites de- 
scribed by A. Laveran are the cause of the aching and shaking of 
fever and ague. He has described several forms, which may, how- 
ever, be the same intruder under different guises, or at different 
stages of development. Those which we have chosen to give of his 
illustrations are what he calls " bodies No. 2," which he found most 
abundantly in the blood of malarial patients. 




op 








Laveran^s Germs of Malaria. 

The first line represents the bodies themselves of various sizes, 
magnified 1,000 times, while in the second line they are seen in or 
upon the red corpuscles of the blood, which in course of time dis- 
appear, seeming to be eaten up by the parasites. Some red cor- 
puscles show clear spots where the young invader has just begun to 
grow. The full grown parasites sometimes show at their borders 
filaments, moving with great rapidity. They are very long and 
slender, and can sometimes be seen moving freely like eels among 
the red corpuscles with such rapidity that it is difficult to keep 
track of them. Many aeute febrile diseases are now known to be 
due to the invasion of microbes, and it is expected that microscopists 
will find means of proving the presence of some particular one as 
part cause of every contagious or infectious disease, and of several 
chronic diseases, such as leprosy, syphilis and consumption; but it 
is conceded that some persons are not susceptible to many of these 
diseases, and it is probable that a man's blood in absolute health is 
capable of resisting the inroads of these minute enemies. 



THE CAUSES OF DISEASE. 39 

There are other abnormal conditions of blood which can hardly be 
called impurities, active or latent. For instance, a person may have 
an insufficient quantity of blood, resulting from which he is weak, 
pale, and cadaverous. There may be an excessive supply of the 
white corpuscle, or an insufficient supply of the red corpuscle, pro- 
ducing paleness and lassitude, but not necessarily leanness, as people 
so affected are often fat. There may be an insufficient supply of the 
white, or a superabundance of the red, giving undue redness to the 
skin, and predisposing a person to inflammatory affections and con- 
gestions. In short, the blood must possess very nearly that propor- 
tion of red and white corpuscles which nature originally instituted,, 
or disease will present itself. 

It now having been shown that a free circulation of vital or nervous 

electricity, an unruffled mind, and good blood are essential to health, 

it requires onlv a moderate exercise 
Fig. 7. • - . 

of common sense to perceive that 

all diseases, excepting simply those 
£ Snif^ti induced by poison or accident, orig- 

inate from a disturbance of these 
indispensable conditions. There 
A A may exist hereditary organic weak 

nesses, but even those had their 
origin in conception, or in foetal life, 

COBPU8CLES OF THE BLOOD. ° r 7 

from the disturbed mind or vital 

The corpuscles of the blood as revealed fountains of the nfc thug % 

by the microscope — some separate and r 

others piled together like so many pieces of allowing a single exception to my 

coin. theory. 

The attention of the reader will next be directed to the principal 
causes of nerve and blood derangements, or the primary causes of dis- 
ease. But, before concluding, let me ask the reader if the foregoing 
tloes not lead to the irresistible conclusion, that the first duty of a 
physician to a patient is to see that his nervous system is set right, 
/lis mind emancipated from all depressing influences, and his blood 
restored to that condition which enables it to impart the tint of 
fieal th to the skin, strength to the muscle, and rich and abundant 
juices to all the tissues? 




CHAPTER II. 



THE CAUSES OF NERVOUS DERANGEMENTS AND 
AFFECTIONS OF THE BLOOD. 

I HE subject of this chapter opens a boundless field 
for the investigation of physiologists. Indeed, 
should an attempt be made to trace out all the 
influences, immediate and remote, which tend to 
destroy the mental and nervous equilibrium, and 
render the blood a fountain of death rather than life, many 
volumes like this would be filled, and then the task would be 
unfinished. I shall, therefore, limit myself to an explanation 
of the principal causes ; those over which we have the easiest 
control. Each shall be treated under its appropriate head, 
with such variety of matter as may be necessary to make it entertain- 
ing, as well as instructive. 




Ignorance* 

This is the vehicle, loaded down like a city omnibus, or an excur- 



sion steamboat, that conveys into the sys- 
tem nearly all the nervous derangements 
and affections of the blood which afflict the 
human family. A large proportion of all 
the evils the essays in this chapter will 
complain of, really spring from one com- 
mon root — ignorance. Errors in eating, 
drinking, sleeping, dressing, ventilation, 
sexual isolation, sexual association, medi- 
cating, &c, the bad habits of childhood, 
and of adult age, may be traced directly 
to ignorance. It casts a black shadow 
over every hearth-stone — it makes a dark 
corner in every institution of learning — it 



Fig. 8. 




Trying to lift himself over 
the fence by the straps of 
his boots, 



IGNORANCE. 41 

clothes with bigotry and intolerance thousands who claim to 
be the apostles of the Christian religion — and it even revels - 
i the halls of science, putting cmokcc] glasses over the eyes of those 
we are taught to revere as philosophers and sages — it makes the 
peoples of all our planet play M blind-man's buff," where, on ever} 
side, there are moral and physical pit-holes ready to ingulf them. 
No one sees his neighbor in his true character, and if he grasps for 
him, only catches costumes or professions. We are like moles, with 
only the rudiments of eyes, groping above the ground inhabited by 
those burrowing beneath. Thank God, we have powers which those 
little quadrupeds have not, and if wo will but place ourselves openly 
to the light which is ready to shine upon us, if we will be tolerant of 
each other's opinions, weigh all things, and hold fast that which is 
good, our posterity, if not we, may behold the brightness of the 
"good time coming." 

There are two kinds of ignorance — real and wilful. The latter 
is the outgrowth of the former. No sane person will voluntarily 
sacrifice health through wilful ignorance, unless that wilful igno- 
rance is plumply backed by come of the genuine article. Like the 
"Jacobs," " Original Jacobs,*' and "Real Original Jacobs," they 
are all Jacobs after all. A person may shut his eyes to a disagree- 
able truth — resolve within himself that he will not see it, and impa- 
tiently trample it under his fw, and yet, did ho fully comprehend 
the consequences, he would desist from his folly. A glutton may 
overload his stomach, with a full knowledge that he is violating a 
physical law — knowing that this violation will certainly render him 
physically uncomfortable. But were he sufficiently informed to 
have presented clearly to his mind the latent as well as active 
derangements one such violation engenders ; could he but see the in- 
numerable ills which will remotely spring from a cause apparently 
so slight, is it to be supposed he would sacrifice years of physical 
comfort for a momentary gratification of a morbid appetite ? A 
thoughtless young woman may dress imprudently to attend a fashion- 
able ball, covering but partially, or leaving completely exposed, 
portions of her person which she habitually wraps in flannels or furs. 
She is told of the danger, but laughingly retorts, " I know it, but [ 
am bound to have a good time." This may be attributed to wilful 
ignorance, but a stratum of real ignorance lies at the bottom of it. 
She has an imperfect knowledge of how fearfully and wonderfully 



42 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

she is made, and how one slight physical derangement may lay the 
foundation for many diseases ; to future years of mental and bodily 
wretchedness ; and finally, a premature grave. '• A short life, and a 
merry one!" she gayly ejaculates, without knowing that such a thing 
is a physical impossibility ; but it is, unless she ends her brief hours of 
frivolity by cutting her throat, or otherwise abruptly terminating her 
existence in one short moment, for all recklessness leads to mental 
and physical suffering; and though life may be short under such cir- 
cumstances, it is always long enough for nature to inflict her penalties ; 
for a person cannot die without disease, or physical infirmity, except 
by accident or suicide, and when a few days or weeks of reckless hilar- 
ity are followed by months of mental and physical distress, even if 
death does come to the rescue, what becomes of the theory, of u a 
short life, and a merry one" ? 

Let the foregoing two instances suffice for an illustration of what 
is generally called wilful ignorance. We see that this species 
has its origin in real ignorance, and that a better understand- 
ing of the laws of life and health would speedily put an end to 
recklessness entered upon with but a partial knowledge of the con- 
sequences. 

Real ignorance is the fearful enemy of mankind. Let us commence 
at the very beginning of the human being. How many know the 
essential conditions to bring into the world a healthy child ? A 
man and woman love each other, or think they do, or they do not, 
but it is expedient to marry, and they do marry. The next thing 
you hear is, that the wife is pregnant. How did she become so ? 
Accidentally, probably, for nearly all children are the accidents of 
gratified passion, instead of the products of willing parents who 
premeditated and prepared themselves for so important a work. 
Most married people are ignorant of the fact that their own physical 
conditions at the moment each yields the germ, which is to start 
into existence a human being, has an everlasting influence upon that 
being. Many a child has been conceived when its father was 
lounging about home on account of sickness, and to-day suffers 
physically, and perhaps mentally, from the effects of that paternal 
illness. There are thousands of children to-day with disordered 
nervous and vascular systems, who are so because they were con- 
ceived at the "making up" of quarrelsome progenitors. Many a 
child is the offspring of a rape, perpetrated by a brutal husband 



IGNORANCE. -*>' 43 

upon an unwilling wife, and this offspring goes through life with a 
weakly nervous system as a consequence. 

Men and women marry, ignorant of the laws of mental and physi- 
cal adaptation. This hotchery of human procreating machinery goes 
blindly at work turning out babies. The babies do not ask to be 
born. Life and disease are both thrust upon them. Poor things ! 
The doctors will earn half their bread and butter from these 
wretched specimens of humanity, if the unfortunates manage to live 
long enough to earn any thing. The ignorance of parents prior to, 
or at the moment the embryo of a new being is created, brings forth 
only the first instalment of disease with which it will have to con- 
tend. Here and there a prudent woman may be found who knows 
to what extent the offspring within her womb is physically influenced 
by her habits of thought and action. The majority do not. Few 
men, when treating pregnant women with unkindness, are conscious 
of the injury they are inflicting upon the miniature human being.. 
The period of utero-life is one fraught with danger to the health of 
the defenceless little creature, which nestles as shrinkingly within 
the walls of the uterus before, as it does timidly to its mother's 
bosom after its birth. 

The babe is born ! What next ? Not one mother of a thousand 
knows how to rear a child in a way to promote health of nerve 
and blood. She feeds and clothes it improperly during infancy and 
childhood ; she drugs it almost to death, or lets some doctor do it, 
for ills proceeding from one or more of the causes already alluded 
t Then the child must be vaccinated. How few know the fact 
that scrofulous, syphilitic, and other impurities are taken from the 
a* irt of diseased children, and inoculated into the blood of those 
\vno are free from such impurities ! The knife of the father, or the 
needle of the mother, or the aid of a physician with whom the 
parents are entirely unacquainted, is employed to perform this im- 
portant operation, when only those combining skill with the great- ' 
est integrity, should be trusted. So that, from this source, a new 
element to corrupt the blood is imparted to the infant. As the child 
advances in years, a new and strange passion seizes it, often before 
the proper age of puberty. Ignorant of the complexity and offices 
of the procreative organs, it falls into bad habits in efforts to gratify 
the passion, and further nervous and blood derangements ensue. If 
it be a female, she arrives at the age when menstruation begins, un- 



44 OATTSES OF NERVOUS ANT> BLOOD DEKAmTCMtftfTS. 

taught regarding this function. She observes the blood issuing from 
her body, and frightened at its appearance, attempts to stay the 
flow. I have many times been consulted by pale women suffering 
from menstrual irregularities, which were induced in childhood, by 
attempting to arrest the menstrual discharge, by applying cold water, 
ice, or snow to the parts. Those who do know enough of the func- 
tion to avoid this error, do not know how necessary prudence is 
during its performance. In rural districts, the out-houses are often 
built to project over streams, or they stand on hill-sides, so that 
draughts of air are continually passing up through them. The best 
of them in the country are poorly built for the protection of the health, 
and especially the health of women. Many cases of menstrual irreg- 
ularities, particularly in those who have but just commenced the per- 
formance of the function, may be traced to exposures in badly con- 
structed places of this kind. Keeping the feet dry, and the bosoms 
from sudden changes of temperature, when they have been made sen- 
sitive, and susceptible to disease by excessive dress, are precautions 
too often neglected. In some cases too little, and in others, too 
much, exercise is indulged in during the menstrual flow. 

The coyness of young people of both sexes, but especially of young 
women, in attending to the "calls of nature," are also fruitful 
sources of nervous and blood derangements. Children are brought 
up to regard the necessary attentions to the bladder and bowels as 
something so indelicate as to require the greatest privacy, so much 
so, that if places constructed for such purposes are not entirely 
shielded from observation, a young man, or a young woman, will go 
all day, or possibly for several days, without attending to two very 
important functions. The results are, the blood becomes poisoned 
by the retention and absorption of waste matters, the nervous 
energies of the liver, bowels, kidneys, and bladder, become paralyzed, 
and if the victim be a female, the pressure of water in the bladder 
in front, of the excrementitious matters of the bowels above and be- 
hind, displaces that sensitive organ, the womb, and then follow all sorts 
of ills to make life wretched. What kind of etiquette is this which 
teaches people to be ashamed of the functions an All-wise Creator 
has instituted to preserve and keep active the most complex machin- 
ery ever made by His hand ? Is it indeed a disagreeable task, one 
we are to be ashamed of, to dispose of the useless portions of the 
liquids and solids we have put into our mouths ? May we not better 



IGNORANCE. 45 

teach our children to be ashamed of gluttony — of besmearing their 
mouths with vile tobacco, and loading their breath with the vapors 
of unwholesome drinks ? May we not better place a gate at the door 
wherein so much that is injurious enters, than to stop up the outlets 
from which many things purer depart! Especially when absent 
from home, among people they have never seen before, and may 
never see again, are coyish young people — and some old ones — 
foolish in this particular ; and because appropriate places for physical 
relief cannot be entered without observation, irregularities are inau- 
gurated which finally bring them to their beds, and their doctors. 
People in advanced life, unless sorely afflicted with mock modesty, 
are usually more sensible in regard to this matter, and still, they are 
not sensible enough for their own good, nor have they a particle of 
sense, in many instances, in giving right impressions to their children. 
G-rownrup children know too little of themselves to instruct those 
who come after them. Mothers, who have the care of children, and 
who should, consequently, possess all attainable information regard- 
ing the human system and its wants, often know the least. Picture 
to your imagination women, well-informed on most subjects, bear- 
ing in educated circles the reputation of being intelligent, calling on 
a physician, and trembling with anxiety on account of a tumor they 
had discovered, from which they apprehended the most painful con- 
sequences. An examination is made, and what they regard as a 
tumor, is found to be simply the neck of the womb, in a perfectly 
healthy condition, and in the place our Maker assigned for it ! 
Such instances have occurred in my practice. One young married 
woman, of unquestionable popular intelligence, consulted me con- 
cerning a supposed cancer. Her mind was terribly exercised about 
it, and she hoped her case was not incurable. On examination, the 
cancer proved to be simply the clitoris, although somewhat in- 
flamed by her frequent manipulations after she first discovered it. 
At the outset, it was only the natural organ such as is found in all 
healthy women ; but she could not let it alone when she discovered 
it, thinking she " must do something for it," and the growing irri- 
tation resulting from her attentions to the supposed cancer, she at- 
tributed to the progress of the disease. Women have consulted me 
who supposed leucorrhcea was simply a natural and healthy dis- 
charge. With such ignorance on the part of mothers, especially 
when they are so thoroughly saturated with fashionable social non- 



46 CAUSES OF NERYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

sense, we can hope for little improvement in children. We must 
look to schools, ultimately, for our physical redemption, and if prop- 
er means will be adopted by those having charge of our institutions 
of learning, great things may be effected in one generation. In the 
chapter headed " The Prevention of Disease," I shall make some 
suggestions which should be pursued in all places where young 
people are taught. In a country like ours, so full of school-houses. 
ignorance in reference to vital matters pertaining to physical life, 
would be utterly inexcusable, if the right course were adopted by out 
boards of education, and school committees. 

I will now conclude this essay with the remark that much that 
will appear in subsequent pages might be embodied under this head, 
for ignorance lies at the bottom of all bad habits and usages. But 
under separate heads can be given greater prominence to many 
things to which I wish to call especial attention. 

Violating the Moral Nature. 

Many people have an idea that if they pay fair respect to what 
are usually understood as physical laws, all will go well with them 
so far as bodily health is concerned. But 
Fi »- 9 - few seem to understand the sympathy ex- 

isting between the moral and physical man. 
If an individual, to-day, has sufficient phys- 
ical strength and endurance to suppress the 
voice of the inward monitor — the conscience 
— and retire at night with a relish for sleep, 
after he has perpetrated some great moral 
wrong, he imagines he will always be 
equally successful in crushing out his 
better nature. But if no other cause inter- 
venes to render his nervous system, and 
hence his mind, wretchedly sensitive to all 
A man who has nearly worn gucn violations, the effort required to put 

himself out in the service of -i . .-■, . v. n , 

the devil down conscience will, in time, do it, and 

all at once he will find himself plunged 
into a mental hell, from which and into the sulphurous one pic- 
tured by ancient theologians, would be a grateful deliverance. We 
cannot persistently do those things which we feel to be wrong, 




VIOLATING THE MO*£.K« NATURE. 47 

without wearing away (by slow degrees, perhaps, in some cases\ the 
nervous strength vhich, to-day, sustains us in violations of our 
moral sense. If, by a dishonorable course of life, a man may have 
attained wealth, and that wealth has given him position, and during 
all this time he has managed to preserve a fair degree of health— 
possibly excellent health — the loss of property, and of position at- 
tained through it, brings him to his reflections, and the doctors have 
no easy task to cure him of ills which almost surely overtake him. 
Then, if not before, the voice of conscience, which has been contu- 
maciously suppressed, keeps him awake at night-time, for the lessons 
which should have been received from day to day for years, are 
crowded upon him in one moment, and hypnotics and anodynes are 
of no avail in bringing sleep to his eyelids, and repose to his agitated 
nervous system. Nor is it sufficient that the moral nature bo simply 
preserved, in order to make a man strong and noble. It must be 
built up. As physical exercise dev< lops the muscle, so exercise of 
the moral faculties develops the moral strength of the man, and this 
moral strength makes him mentally buoyant, courageous, and happy ; 
and this condition of mind promotes digestion, gives regular pulsa- 
tion to the heart, action to the liver and kidneys, full and deep res- 
piration, and muscular life and elasticity. 

It is not necessary that a man should do as his conscientious 
neighbor, or as society dictates. So long as mankind are not run in 
one mould, there will be diversity of opinion, and each man will 
form, from investigation and reflection, a moral standard, consider- 
ably his own, or at least modified by his individuality. It is not 
what others say of us individually, or what people of other nation- 
alities say of our nation, that will make us great, powerful, an(J 
happy. It is what we can feel regarding ourselves; it is the self- 
respect which a noble life creates ; if our consciences can unequivo- 
cally pronounce the verdict — Right — we are at once invincible — we 
are happy — we are healthy. The applause of others may tickle our 
vanity, at the moment we think it misapplied; but the applause of 
conscience sinks a shaft of moral strength, an unfathomable pleasure, 
down into the very soul's centre. 

It does not simply dwarf a man morally to devote his entire ener- 
gies to the accumulation of wealth, or the attainment of some other 
selfish object. It changes his physiognomy, or at least prevents it 
from acquiring a look of nobleness. An individual may not be 



48 causes of nervous and blood derangements. 

legally dishonorable, while straining every nerve for the accomplish 
ment of a selfish purpose, but the simple neglect of his moral nature 
makes him less a man, not only in a moral but in a physical sense. 
The nervous stimulus, or life force, has been consumed for the 
realization of the one object of his ambition, and the various organs 
of the body have been cheated of that which belonged, in part, to 
them, so that a dwarfed soul looks out of a body which has not 
been healthfully developed. He may not be a shrunken man physic- 
ally, he may be fat — plump as an alderman ; if so, much of the 
vital forces he wastes in his aggrandizement, are needed to spiritual- 
ize this gross corporeity. Have you never noticed how much diifer- 
ence there is in the physical appearance of a good fat man, and a fat 
man who has neglected his moral development ? From the former, 
the soul shines out like a light from a window ; the latter has no 
more spiritual radiancy than the wax figure of a sixpenny showman. 
So that sins of omission, as well as of commission, against the moral 
nature, affect the physical well-being. 

There is no one way, perhaps, in which the moral man is more tor- 
tured than in the pursuit of wealth and position. In fact, this part of 
man's nature is often sacrificed entirely for the realization of these 
objects in our competitive world. Henry Ward Beecher, in one of his 
sermons, presented something interesting in this connection. u Did 
you ever," he asks, " see men made in this world ? They had no great 
wisdom ; they had no great honor ; they had no great heroism ; they 
had no great patience ; they had no great meekness ; they had no great 
wealth of love ; but they had a certain muck wisdom ; they knew 
how to thrust their hands in where dirt was to be moulded ; they 
knew how to amass property ; they knew how to construct ships 
and houses; they had a kind of ferreting eye, a sort of weasel saga* 
city ; they were keen and sharp ; they were said to be prosperous, 
thriving men ; they were being built up according to the estimation 
of men. Give a man five thousand dollars, and you have laid the 
foundation on which to build him — you have got his feet built ; give 
him ten thousand, and you have built him up to the knees; give him 
twenty-five thousand, and you have built him to the loins; give him 
a hundred thousand, and you have built him above the heart; give 
him two hundred thousand, and he is made all over. Two hundred 
thousand dollars will build a man in this world; two hundred and 
fifty thousand will make a good deal of a man ; five hundred thou- 



VIOLATING THE MORAL NATURE. 49 

sand makes a splendid fellow, as the world goes. The great trouble. 
however, is that although the materials may not be very costly, as 
God looks upon them, men find it difficult to build themselves in this 
way. Besides, they are very easily unbuilt. Where a man is mereb 
what he owns, it does not take long to annihilate him. You can 
take a man's head off with a hundred thousand dollars ; you can cut 
him in two with two hundred and fifty thousand : you can annihilate 
him with a kick of five hundred thousand, so that there would be 
uothing left of him but smoke ! 

% ' There are thousands of thousands of men. of whom, if you take 
away their houses, and ships, and lands, and fiscal skill, and such 
other qualities belonging to them as they will not want in Heaven, 
and cannot carry to Heaven, there will not be enough left to repre- 
sent them there of righteousness, and godliness, and faith, and love. 
and patience, and meekness, and such like qualities. They have used 
all these qualities up for fuel for their machine. It has been their 
business in life to sacrifice probity that they might be rich ; that 
they might gain power and influence : that they might make their 
hold on the world broader and stronger : and if they cannot carry 
forth these things which have been the objects to the attainment oi 
which they had devoted all their energies, what is left for them to 
go out of life with? You see not only single specimens, but whole 
ranks of the dwarfed, insect class of men. patting each other on the 
shoulder, registering each other, and speaking of each other as k our 
first men.' 'our largest men, 1 -our influential men," 'our strong men:' 
and yet, if you were to take away from them that of which the grave 
will divest them, you could not find them even with a microscope! 

" Do you not know just such men ? If you were to think of those 
belonging to your own circle of acquaintance, and ask. not what this 
and that man are worth as factors in material things, but what they 
are worth as God looks upon them, what they are worth when 
measured by their righteousness, and faith, and love, and patience, 
and meekness, those things which are to make up our manhood in 
the eternal world, would you not find among them those of whom, 
if their selfishness, their heartlessness. their grasping skill, their 
worldly wisdom were taken from them, there would be scarcely 
any thing left?" 

It often happens that such men — men who, instead of making 
great names by pursuing some moral or beneficent object, simply 



50 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

write their names on checks, business receipts, carve them out on 
trees, pencil them out on barns, on walls, and on the rude partitions 
of summer resorts — awaken to a consciousness of their moral im- 
poverishment after they become somewhat sated with wealth and 
petty enjoyments ; and then there is a summary precipitation ; a break- 
down of energy, of pride, of ambition, of appreciation of what they 
have attained, and so much disappointment and mental wretchedness, 
that health fails, and oh, how hard it is with hygiene, with tonics, 
with therapeutical electricity, with every means science and skill 
has discovered, to build up such men ! They are the worst physical 
n recks that enter a doctor's office ; and although they say they would 
give all they possess for physical health and mental quietude, they 
cling tenaciously to the gold they have so long worshipped. How 
can they afford to part with it? All their generosity, all their love 
of humanity, all their love of God, and every good quality they 
brought into the world with them, have been melted into the glitter- 
ing lump. 

Although, as before remarked, there is a greater tendency to sacri- 
fice the moral nature in the pursuit of wealth and position in this 
world of pride and competition than in any other way, there is a 
manifest carelessness in regard to the preservation and development 
of the spark of the divinity within us in every department of life. 
Few men and women, comparatively, are fully truthful. Few treat 
their neighbors with exact justice; too many sacrifice peace of mind 
for momentary pleasure ; thousands are daily and hourly doing what 
they know to be wrong. After all this violation of the moral sense 
come self-accusation, remorse, wretchedness, loss of sleep, loss of ner- 
vous vivacity and strength, and finally the whole system becomes more 
or less affected by the committal of sins for which punishment is only 
looked for beyond the present life, when it is hoped an escape may 
be effected through atonement and the grace of God. Present chas- 
tisements are overlooked, or attributed to other causes. People are 
often ill without knowing the cause, when, if they would turn their 
eyes inward and examine themselves searchingly, they would find 
that their physical discomforts arose from discords and inharmonies 
resulting from doing injustice to a neighbor, for wantonly letting slip 
a glorious opportunity to make some one happy. 

Nations, as well as individuals, suffer from wrong-doing. Govern- 
ments convulse and cripple their power, and shatter their comtitu- 



VIOLATING THE MORAL NATURE. 5[ 

tio-ns by acts of injustice. It seenis to me that nothing can be surer 
to end in discord, war, and bloodshed than despotism. Let any body 
of organized men prevent some other men from enjoying the privi- 
leges they arrogate to themselves, what more natural than for those 
oppressed men to conspire for the assassination, or, at least, over- 
throw of their oppressors ? What can be a more dangerous element 
in one people than the existence among them of another people, who, 
for some reason not founded upon justice, are denounced as not so 
good, not so intelligent, not so capable in any sense, and for which 
they are denied privileges in the pursuit of happiness which their 
more powerful neighbors maintain for themselves ? Can we reason- 
ably hope to outlive conspiracy, war, and bloodshed, till we take our 
neighbor by the hand rather than by the throat ? Considering the 
prevalence of conceit in this world, are any of you quite sure you 
are any better or more intelligent than the man you are holding 
your foot upon ? and if so, is it not clearly your duty to take your foot 
off, give him a helping hand, and the widest opportunities and incen- 
tives for culture ? Would it not be better to devote the money you 
are paying the soldier or policeman to keep him in vassalage, to his 
education and elevation ? If, to-day, every ruler on our planet were 
making it the one great aim of his life to give equal religious, politi- 
cal, and social rights to all people ; if oppressions were lifted from the 
hearts and shoulders of all G-od's children, if every individual would 
see his neighbor's rights as clearly as he discerns his own, the clash 
of arms on the battle-field between contending nationalities, the voice 
of intolerance between differing religionists, disputes in questions of 
law, the mutterings of men in petty strife, would all be swallowed 
up in one grand millennium of happiness and kindly feeling, which 
would go far toward promoting individual health and national 
greatness. This, you may say, is an ideal picture, and cannot be 
realized, but self-improvement will do it. If each one of us will be- 
stow a portion of that labor and criticism upon ourselves which we 
put forth professedly to improve our neighbors, the object aimed at 
in time will be accomplished. Nations are made up of individuals, 
and consequently, it is only necessary that every person know how 
much his own health and happiness depends upon that of his neigh- 
bor, and set himself about making himself more just, more truthful, 
more tolerant, to make society, nation, and government what each 
should be» We are too apt to say, our neighbor will not adopt the 



52 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 



Fig. 10. 



Golden Rule, and that, therefore, we will not. This is mainly 
the reason why a better condition of things is not attained. Every 
one is waiting for another. Let every one who feels the first impulse 
toward self-reformation, inaugurate the work at once. If none of 
his neighbors do, he will find a full compensation in the spiritual and 
physical benefitsthat accrue to himself, and if he suffers from injustice 
from others, he certainly does not suffer from 
injustice to himself. One thousand such 
men scattered over the world in one genera- 
tion, would become ten thousand in the next, 
and might in a few generations be counted 
by millions? Why hesitate because such a 
work cannot be accomplished in our life- 
time ? Because of the disposition of men to 
wait for each other in undertaking the work 
of self-improvement, the world is now filled 
with dishonorable retaliation. I will relate 
an instance in point. Standing at the counter 
of a tradesman, while the latter was telling 
a customer what a smart trick he had 
perpetrated upon some one who had cheated 
him, I was witness to the narration of the 
dishonorable feat, during which narration 
his eyes sparkled with revengeful delight. 
He concluded with the triumphant interroga- 
tory, ''Didn't I serve him right?" This 
seemed as much directed to me as to my 
fellow-customer, and I felt morally bound to respond, when the fol- 
lowing colloquy ensued : 
11 1 don't think you did." 

Tradesman. — " Well, I do, for he is the biggest scoundrel in the 
city ; and I always like to get the start of such men. He is always 
looking out for a smart game of grab." 

" But of whom are dishonorable people to learn lessons of honesty, 
if every one who is defrauded by them, retaliates when opportunity 
offers ?" 

Tradesman. — " That is all very nice, but I am not the man to let 
a good chance slip to get even with the fellow who comes a big 
thing on me." 




GODDESS OP JUSTICE. 



VIOLATING THE MORAL NATURE. 53 

s " Well, then, you are only confirming the usual opinion of dis- 
honorable men, that ' all men are dishonest,' and your retaliation on 
him will lead him, when opportunity presents, to again retaliate on 
you, and so on indefinitely, till death ends the warfare. Perhaps if 
you had reminded him of the chance presented to ' get even with 
him, 1 and spurned it as something you could not stoop to, it would 
have aroused the sleeping sense of honor within him ; but, if not, 
he could not justify his course of rascality with the reflection that 
he was as good as other men, for he would have, for once, at least, 
met, in a business way, one man who was above both petty re- 
venge and dishonesty. In my opinion, sir, you missed a golden op- 
portunity to do a neighbor good. 11 

The colloquy ended with a muttering response, which was not 
quite audible, but the tradesman, after all, was only practising a 
pretty well-established commercial code. Even when money is 
not an object, so dominant is the passion for revenge, business men 
often play financial tricks on their fellows, simply to " pay them off 
in their own coin, ,, for some previous transaction of a similar kind, 
in which they were the victims. With this spirit of retaliation in 
the commercial world, where is fraud to end ? 

There is no one passion so dwarfing to man's moral growth, and, 
consequently, to his perfect physical development, as revenge. It 
whittles his soul right down to a pointed poisoned arrow, with which 
he is ever ready to pierce his offending neighbor. It plants in his 
eye an expression as fierce as the serpent's tongue ; it shrinks the 
muscles of his face, and gives his lower jaw an unseemly protrusion ; 
it makes him a stockholder in "hell upon earth,' 1 and his neighbors 
unwilling sharers in the dividends. A revengeful man has that 
within him which destroys all capability of self-happiness, and all 
comfort to those who are compelled to come in contact with him. 

Perhaps it is something that many have not thought of, but it will 
be found, on experiment, that nothing pays better, physically, as 
well as morally, than the cultivation of the moral nature. One gets 
his pay as he goes along. As remarked before, he is recompensed 
in a happier mind, and better physical health, and there are those 
coming after him whose happiness should be considered as im- 
portant as his own, and the labor to promote which will make 
his soul larger, his nervous system more harmonious, his blood 
richer, and his muscles stronger, for is it not apparent in the light 



;>4 A USES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

of this essay, that a peaceful, just, generous mind, and a clear con* 
science, strengthen the whole animal organism? 



Fig. 11. 




The Food we Eat. 

Considering the fact that man by habit is omnivorous, and almost 
as much so as the pig, and that he eats about eight hundred pounds 
of food, exclusive of fluids, annually, it ought to surprise no one 
when I say that many derangements of the 
blood arise from the use of improper food* 
Look how directly the food goes into 
blood. It is taken into the mouth and 
masticated, into the stomach and digested, 
and then passes down into the lower stom- 
ach, where it meets the pancreatic fluids, 
and is sucked up into a duct, and carried 
directly into the blood at the angle formed 
by the great jugular vein on the left side 
of the neck, and the principal vein of the 
left arm. Then see how directly it goes 
to the manufacture of bone, muscle, nerve, 
&c. Oliver Wendell Holmes, in the North 
American Review, has presented this change very happily. " If," he 
says, u the reader of this paper live another year, his self-conscious 
principle will have migrated from its present tenement to another, 
the raw materials even of which are not yet put together. A portion 
of that body of his which is to be, will ripen in the corn of his 
next harvest. Another portion of his future person he will purchase, 
or others will purchase for him, headed up in the form of certain 
barrels of potatoes. A third fraction is yet to be gathered in the 
Southern rice-field. The limbs with which he is then to walk will 
be clad with flesh borrowed from the tenants of many stalls and pas- 
tures, now unconscious of their doom. The very organ of speech, 
with which he is to talk so wisely, plead so eloquently, or speak so 
effectively, must first serve his humble brethren to bleat, to bellow, 
and for all the varied utterance of bristled or feathered barn -yard 
life. His bones themselves are, to a great extent, in posse, and notm 
esse. A bag of phosphate of lime which he has ordered from Professor 
Mapes for his grounds, contains a large part of that which is to be 



THE MARKET. 



THE FOOD WE EAT. 55 

his skeleton, and more than all this, by far the greater part of his 
body is nothing after all but water, and the main substance of his 
scattered members is to be looked for in the reservoir, in the run- 
ning streams, at the bottom of the well, in the clouds that float over 
his head, or diffused among them all." 

The rapidity with which the food of to-day is incorporated into 
the body of to-morrow, should make us prudent in what we eat, 
tf we would preserve our blood from impurity, and the atoms com- 
posing our bodies from disease. How prudent the human family is, 
may be seen by sitting at the tables of various peoples, civilized and 
barbarous. At home we are treated to all sorts of mixed dishes, 
seasoned with condiments, and saturated with the oleaginous juices 
of swine. Few of us stop to reflect that there may be as much an- 
tagonism in the stomach between the various kinds of flesh taken 
into it, as exists in the living world between the living bodies 
whose flesh we eat. A fashionable dinner comprises about three 
courses of different animal food ; in some cases turtle soup, then fish 
of some kind, then roast beef or turkey, with side dishes of mutton 
or lamb, veal or pork, etc. It cannot, perhaps, be demonstrated, 
but is it not reasonable to suppose, that each one of these meats pos- 
sess a latent magnetism, as individual in its character as when ani- 
mated by life. If so, the stomachs of some people have, every day, 
to conciliate and make up a happy family of a great diversity of mag- 
netic elements. To live fashionably is to live improperly. 

Now let us step intrusively into the kitchens of our neighbors. 
John Chinaman feasts his stomach on cats, dogs, wharf-rats, sea- 
slugs, sharks, bats, and caterpillar soup. Australians, and many 
other people, eat snakes, kangaroo-rats, mice, maggots, etc. The 
Japanese prefer green peaches, apricots, and plums, to ripe ones, as 
an offset, I suppose, to our eating green cucumbers. A traveler 
among the Indians of the Rocky Mountains, or a guest of the people 
of Zanzibar, will smack his astonished lips over puppy stew, with- 
out knowing what it is made of. One who visits Africa, may have 
a plate of tender young monkey; while the people of the Arctics 
treat their visitors to a diet of putrid seal's flesh, putrid whale's tail, 
reindeer's chyle, train oil, whale's skin, and partially hatched eggs. 
The native of Surinam eats toads, and the Hottentot considers 
roasted caterpillars to be savory as sugared cream. Frogs are 
eaten by the French, by the Chinese, and by many people in both 



56 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

Europe and America. The French have lately taken to eating 
snails, having found their flavor superior to that of frogs. One 
hundred thousand are daily supplied to Paris by Burgundy and 
Champagne alone. On the Maguey plant in Mexico, a large yellow 
worm thrives, which the native Indian eats, and calls the dish 
Maguey butter. A Tribune correspondent is responsible for the 
statement that Emperor Maximilian was induced to try it. In brief, 
among the many strange things used as food, not already mentioned, 
may be named : elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, antelope, 
wild ants, leopard, lion, alligator, crocodile, eggs of reptiles, lizard, 
wild-cat, panther, wolf, opossum, musk-rat, rat's brains, porcupine, 
bird's nest, locust, grasshopper, spider, and nearly every insect; and 
the Chinamen are so given to domestic economy as to eat the chrys- 
alis of the silk- worm after the cocoon has been wound off. In 
New York, the testicles of young animals are considered a dish for 
an epicure by many citizens. Charles Louis Napoleon Achille 
Murat, son of the great French general, who spent the closing years 
of his life in Florida, and who had tried all sorts of eating declared 
as follows: — 

" Horse-flesh, good — dog, fox, and cat, only middling — skunk, 
tolerably good — hawk, first-rate — crow, second-rate — pigeon, jay- 
bird, and blackbird, tolerable, and " he added, " though I have no 
prepossession, buzzard is not good." 

Now, nearly all the foregoing animals, insects, etc., contain the true 
constituents of food, and many of them are not unwholesome. Some 
indeed which seem revolting to an educated taste, are better and 
purer for aliment than others which we regard as above criticism. 
To sustain life, we simply need food which possesses saccharine, 
oleaginous, albuminous, and gelatinous properties, combined with a 
proper admixture of salt, sulphur, iron, lime, and phosphorus. But 
what we should do is to avoid food which, possessing all the neces- 
sary alimentary elements, is also tainted by disease. 

One of the most common causes of blood impurities is the use of 
pork. It has been said that all things were created for some wise 
purpose. This is undoubtedly true, but hogs were never made to eat. 

We read that Christ used them to drown devils ; they can never be 
appropriated to a more beneficent use. As an article of diet, pork 
exerts a most pernicious influence on the blood, overloading it with 
carbonic acid gas, and filling it with scrofula. The hog is not a 



THE FOOD WE RAT. 



5T 



healthy animal. From its birth it is an inveterate gormandizer, and 
to satisfy its eternal cravings for food, every thing in field or gutter, 
however filthy, finds lodgment in its capacious stomach. It eats 
filth and wallows in its filth, and is itself but a living mass of filth. 
When, therefore, it is remembered that all our limbs and organs 



^.<^</V0n ni> ^ 



Fig. 12. 




v^ -\^ 



THE USE OF SWINE. 



"And when they were come out, they [the devils] went into the herd of swine : and, be 
hold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished 
in the waters/ 1 — St. Matthew, 8th chap., 32d verse. 

have been picked up from our plates — that our bodies are made up 
of the things we have eaten — what pork-eater will felicitate himself 
with the reflection, that, according to physiological teachings, he is 
physically part hog. " We have been served up at the table many 
times over. Every individual is literally a mass of vivified viands ; he 
is an epitome of innumerable meals ; he has dined upon himself, 
3* 



58 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

slipped upon himself, and in fact — paradoxical as it may appear — 
has again and again leaped down his own throat." 

From the earliest history of swine, they have been regarded as 
more subject to scrofula than any other animal. This disease, so 
peculiar to the hog, before it received a name, so far ante-dated the 
same disease in the human family, that when it did make its appear- 
ance in the latter, it was named after the Greek name of swine, as 
best expressing its character. There are various diseases peculiar 
to certain animals. Cats are subject to fits; dogs more than other 
animals, to hydrophobia ; horses to glanders and heaves ; the cow to 
consumption and hollow-horn ; sheep to the rot ; fowls to the gapes, 
swelled head, and blindness; and scrofula is the prevailing disease 
among swine. The diseases affecting other animals than swine, are 
usually such as to condemn them before they reach the shambles of 
the butcher ; and the law treats with severity all venders of diseased 
meats, with the exception of pork dealers. This is partly because 
the scrofula of the hog cannot always be readily detected, and in a 
measure owing to the indifference of pork-eaters to the known pres- 
ence of tubercles, tumors, etc., in pork. When man comes to be 
affected with hollow-horn and rot, beef and mutton must be more 
closely looked to ! To what extent the flesh of various animals may 
be affected by the diseases to which they are subject can hardly be 
determined, but Professor Gamgee affirms u that one-fifth of the 
common meat of Great Britain — beef, vea!> mutton and lamb — is 
diseased; while Professor Gerlach states that in Berlin at least as 
much diseased as healthy meat is consumed." It is apparent, how- 
ever, that when scrofula may be communicated simply by habitual 
contact with a scrofulous person, the contact of scrofulous food with 
the mouth and stomach must inevitably inoculate the system of the 
imprudent eater. One fact regarding pork is well known to all 
physiologists. It is, with few exceptions, the most indigestible food 
that can be taken into the stomach. 

Again, pork is charged with being wormy. It killed a great many 
persons in Germany, and not a few in other countries, including our 
own. Our consul, at Elsinore, wrote our Secretary of State all about 
it, and scientists, on both sides of the Atlantic, got out their micro- 
scopes, rubbed up their spectacles, and after examining the flesh of 
the arraigned porker, found he possessed imps of probably the same 
devils which were cast into his progenitors on the hill-side. The 



THE FOOD WE EAT. 59 

illustrations in Figs. 13 and 14, show how these fellows appear under 
the microscope. They are called Trichinae, and the disease they 
produce in man is denominated Trichiniasis. The parasites are so 
minute that they can make their way to any part of the system, and 
a writer who has witnessed their effects thus describes them: 

1 * This perforation of parts by millions of microscopic worms, is 
attended with symptoms more or less violent, depending upon their 
numbers, and the strength and health of the victim. While passing 
the coats of the bowels, violent purging often arises, simulating ar- 
senical poisoning, and many people have been unjustly suspected 
of this crime, when persons eating food prepared for them have been 
thus alarmingly seized. As the worms make their way into the 
muscles, pains like those of rheumatism, cramp, weakness, or entire 
loss of power, resembling paralysis, ensue; and when the numbers of 
trichinae are large, wasting, exhaustion and death follow. Those 
who escape with a few of these disagreeable tenants, suffer in smaller 
degree from similar symptoms, but gradually recover, and a small 
portion of their muscles, removed and magnified, reveal the trichi- 
nae arrived at their destination, and undergoing the various stages 
of calcareous encystment." 

Since the lively interest awakened among scientists by the discov- 
ery of trichinae as the cause of what seemed like epidemics of 
disease in Germany, pork has been a pretty constant source of inter- 
national dissension mixed with tariff issues. The German, the 
French, and many other European nations, for some time prohibited 
the importation of American pork on the ostensible ground that it 
was largely infected with trichinae, but, in fact, to protect home 
industries, till our own country found it necessary to set various 
commissions of experts at work to discover what basis there was for 
such charges. They always found that some per cent, of American 
hogs were ''guilty." Prof. Dettmers, of the Agricultural Depart- 
ment, acknowledged finding the parasites in four per cent, of hogs 
slaughtered in Chicago, but the experts claim that this is a smaller 
percentage than is found in European examinations of the same 
kind. However, to allay foreign prejudices and make our hog 
products marketable abroad, Uncle Sam established a system of con- 
stant supervision of the wholesale slaughter and packing houses, 
for the purpose of thoroughly excluding all possible objection on the 
score of contaminated pork, but the difficulty is not yet settled. 



60 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 



Dr. Rudolph Artman, a German veterinarian, who was once em- 
ployed in meat inspection in Germany, has been examining into the 
methods of the Bureau of Animal Industry of our country, and con- 
siders it a gigantic humbug — carried on at a cost of half a million 
dollars per year — a decision quite in conformity with charges of the 
New York World. It appears that the examination, if not merely 
a matter of form, is far from thorough, and so far as the people of 
this country are concerned, there is no protection by keeping trichi- 
nous pork out of the market. Dr. Salmon, Chief of the Bureau, 
believes that it is unsafe to rely on microscopic examination of the 
meat, and that the only safety lies in thorough cooking. He claims 
that if all such food be sufficiently cooked the microscopic examina- 
tion is superfluous (except to pacify the foreign buyer); that the 
trichinous pork is just as good eating as any; and he further charges 
that in Germany, in spite of their careful inspection, far more people 
die of trichinosis than in this country, because the Germans have a 
fancy for eating raw pork, and because no microscopic examination 
can completely insure them against eating diseased pork. 

On the other hand, Dr. Artman be- 
lieves that the people of this country 
suffer far more than they know from 
infection with trichinae, that the para- 
sites do not always invade so quickly 
or numerously as to kill, and that in 
the many cases where they " go slow " 
and keep comparatively quiet, the vic- 
tims become chronic sufferers from 
rheumatoid pains and other discom- 
forts difficult to name or diagnose. 
He examined muscles taken from 
thirty dead human bodies, at Buffalo, 
and found trichinae present in ten per 
cent. — or in three bodies, two of which were Germans. Yet he is not 
at all sure that ten per cent, of our population is thus affected. Dr. 
Artman also denies that the food value of trichinous pork is just as 
good as that which is free from infection, provided it is well cooked, 
on the ground that the trichinae replace part of the muscle tissue 
with chalky deposits, and this is true, so far as it goes, but to the 
fastidious eater the knowledge of the presence of parasites, even if 




mm 

Fig. 13. Trichina, cysts and meat. 



THE FOOD WE EAT. 



61 



harmless because too well roasted to revive, would be apt to dull 
his appetite more than the fact that their chalky relicts diminish to 
some extent the food value. His relish for pork tenderloin will 
hardly be stimulated by the fact, now admitted by the Government 
Bureau, that all hogs which were found infected with trichinae, 
withheld from export amounting to two per 
cent, of the whole number inspected, have 
been thrown on the home market for con- 
sumption, instead of being boiled down in 
the rendering tank, as represented by the in- 
spectors in charge. If, like the farmer who 
keeps small potatoes for home use, we reserve 
all trichinous pork for home consumption, 
|I we shall not be surprised to learn some day 
! | that one-tenth of all pork-eaters are enter- 
jl ,\\ ~'\ taining more or less of the trichinae parasites 
I Arin their muscles. 

If, as Dr. Salmon seems to admit, parasitic 
pork may escape the vigilance of the hun- 
dreds of lady microscopists employed to de- 
tect them, this government bureau is a 
Fig. 14. Encysted trichina uselessly expensive matter of form; but his 
between muscle fibres, claim that safety is assured by cooking is 
denied by German scientists, who find that in a large piece of meat 
the heat at the centre, during cooking, is not sufficient to kill the 
trichinae therein. There seems, therefore, to be no solution of this 
international sanitary and trade complication, but any person can 
settle the problem for himself by declining pork foods. Of course, 
even when cooking fails to kill the encysted worms it is possible that 
persons of remarkably good digestions and unlimited gastric juices 
may be able to digest them, but it is a risk they would hardly take 
knowiugly. It is reported that during a period of five years, when 
the people of New York City and Philadelphia consumed nearly 
fifteen million hogs, among 350,072 deaths recorded there were only 
six, three in each city, from trichiniasis ; but since it requires a 
microscopic post-mortem examination to determine it, very likely 
many more deaths were due to this cause than thus appears. 

In the illustrations herewith given of the trichinae parasite, Fig. 
13 shows the separated worm (A), the separated sacs or encysted 




62 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

worms (c d), and a piece of meat less highly magnified (b), with 
many of the cysts scattered through it. In Fig. 14 the muscle fibres 
are shown pressed apart by a cysted trichina. 

The foregoing remarks have been made with reference to the best 
class of swine; but what shall I say, when I come to speak of those 
fattened in distilleries! I have seen droves of these inflated crea- 
tures driven to the slaughter-houses in Cincinnati. A herd of dis- 
eased, bloated, besotted men would not be more sickening to the 
refined spectator. The hair of these creatures is invariably thin and 
scattered, and the skin looks like that of a confirmed inebriate. 
Some have tumors varying in size from a small apple to a good-sized 
cabbage. I have been told by Cincinnati butchers that tumors are 
not unfrequently found inside the meat, and that, when laid open 
by the knife, purulent matter is emitted; but these diseased carcasses 
are sold, and form one of the articles of food in our large cities. 

Some years ago, a gentleman living near the town of Rockingham, 
Virginia, lost five head of young cattle and several milch cows, by 
permitting them to run in the same lot where his hogs were feeding. 
The hogs ate the stalks of corn, or rather chewed them, and left them 
on the ground. These were taken up by the cattle, eaten and swal- 
lowed. Soon they were taken with an itching all over, and com- 
menced rubbing their heads; their throats swelled, and in a short 
time death ensued! Their disease might be termed an acute attack 
of scrofula, with which they became infected from the virus commu- 
nicated to the stalks by the dirty swine. Still, the flesh of these ani- 
mals is regarded as a healthy and relishable article of food by a large 
majority of civilized mankind! Ugh! Let us not upbraid the barba- 
rian who eats snails and lizards, or the Mexican Indian who eats butter 
made from the maguey worms, for their disgusting epicurean eccen- 
tricities, while civilization tolerates hog-eating. It is related of Dr. 
Adam Clark, that he had a strong aversion to pork, and that on an 
occasion, when called upon to say grace at dinner, where the princi- 
pal dish was roast pig, he said: "0 Lord ! if Thou canst bless under 
the Gospel what Thou didst curse under the law, bless this pig." 

It has been said that no animal was ever created which had an 
inherent proclivity to disease. This may be true ; but some animals, 
from their earliest history, have been diseased; and none in the ani- 
mal kingdom better illustrate this proposition than man and hog. 
And while I am firmly convinced that mankind are injured by eating 



THE FOOD "WTS EAT. 



63 



hotf, I am equally disposed to believe the hog, if a healthy animal 
to-day, would in time become diseased by eating man. Both man 
and hog are intemperate eaters, and addicted to filthy habits. As for 
the latter, he is such a proverbial gormand, that no word in the 

Fig. 17. 





THE UNHEALTHY PAIR. 



English language so strongly portrays a voracious appetite as the 
term hoggish. Then his eating propensities are ever encouraged by 
the pork-raiser, who wishes to make every carcass as heavy as pos- 
sible. Many farmers and other pork producers put their pigs in close 
pens, to prevent their exercising and running off their fat, and in 
these close, filthy quarters, the grunters arc systematically stuffed 
till they can hardly open their eyes. What would become of a 
human being so treated ? Could a man be so confined and fed, and 
not become a diseased and bloated carcass? It is equal to a fashion 
they have in Germauy, of putting geese singly in coops so small that 
they cannot stand up or turn around, and there stuff them with a 
kind of meal mixture every day, until they become loaded with fat. 
Then they are considered in good condition to kill and eat. Can 
any creature in creation be treated in this way, or as swine are fat- 
tened, and not become diseased? What, then, may we expect of an 
animal which, from our earliest knowledge of him, has been scrofu- 
lous? A good-natured farmer writes me that he and all his neigh- 
bors are pork-eaters, and that the people of "Old Kentuck" have 
always been fed on u hog and hominy," and yet are perfectly healthy 
and blessed with longevity. I reply, blessed with longevity, perhaps, 
but not entirely free from disease. I am often consulted by these 



fi4 OATTSER OE NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

very farmers, who open by saying, u I am not sick, Doctor, but I am 
plagued with salt-rheum. " Another writes, "I am the picture of 
health, and my neighbors would laugh at me if they knew I was 
applying to a physician ; but I am troubled with catarrh." Another 
has piles, another worms, another rheumatism, another predispo- 
sition to sore throat, and so on ; but all claim to be in the enjoyment 
of the best of health ! But there are unquestionably pork-eaters who 
have no apparent disease whatever. Although the scrofulous im- 
purities of their diet find lodgment, they remain latent in their sys- 
tems, and are even transmitted to their children, without manifest- 
ing themselves in the parent stock. Those especially who till the 



Fig. 18. 




SHEEP— WHOLESOME TO THE EYE AND WHOLESOME TO THE STOMACH. 

soil, toughened by exercise, strengthened by pure air, and relieve* 
of much diseased matter by active perspiration, may carry with 
them to a gray old age a scrofulous impurity without suffering from 



THE FOOD WE EAT. (55 

its presence. Buthow is it with their boys who enter counting-rooms 
in large cities, or adopt professions of a sedentary character? Have 
you never noticed how apt these scions of athletic sires are to break 
down before reaching the meridian of life ? Other causes than these 
inherited impurities may often contribute to this result; but if im- 
purities do exist to any extent, will they not be more likely to be 
active, and obtrusively present themselves in the form of disease, 
internal or external, in the confined atmosphere of the store or office, 
than on the broad acres of the parental homestead? It may be a 
question of no little importance, how much the diseases of young 
men in villages and cities are derived from pork-eating progenitors, 
who pursued the healthful occupation of tilling the soil and feeding 
the pig. 

Mutton ought universally to be substituted for pork. It is more 
easily digested, and nay be regarded as a healthful meat. Besides, 
it can be produced at much less expense than pork among the far- 
mers, and yields more nourishment. Sheep need no corn, and can 
be kept during the winter on hay, turnips, beets, etc. True, pigs 
will eat what nothing else will, and consume all the slops in the kitch- 
en ; but a great deal of corn, or other solid food is required to 
fatten them for the butcher. Besides, sheep will eat all that is fit 
for food from the kitchen slops, and their preparation for the 
slaughter-house is attended with trifling expense. 

As a rule, the flesh of herbivorous is more wholesome than that 
of carnivorous or omnivorous animals. The use of animal food of 
every kind has been pronounced injurious by many. That it is not 
necessary for the sustenance of man, in a normal state, I am fully 
convinced ; equally satisfied am I that its moderate use is attended 
with no physical injury, but almost everywhere it is used to excess. 
Too much animal food inflames the system, and overloads the blood 
with the red corpuscle. In our climate, and in Southern latitudes, 
little or none should be used in summer, and in winter, there is 
enough heat-producing food, of a vegetable character, to impart 
sufficient warmth to those preferring vegetable diet. Still, beef, 
mutton, lamb, poultry, and even horse-flesh may be regarded as 
wholesome for food, if not eaten to excess. Professor St. Hiiaire, of 
Paris, strongly urges the introduction of the latter as an aliment. 
He says that during the great French wars, the celebrated surgeon, 
Larry, was accustomed to give horse-flesh to the wounded soldiers, 



66 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

and that he attributed their cure in many instances to this nourish- 
ment. The ancient Germans were in the habit of eating horse-flesh, 
and to this day, shops for the sale of this meat, under the superin- 
tendence of a veterinary college, exist by authority in Copenhagen. 
It is also resorted to by the poor of Vienna, while in Hamburg it 
commands a high price. The horse is considered a great delicacy in 
some of the Southern portions of South America, where it is intro- 
duced at the festive board as a luxury, equal to a sirloin of beef. 
There can be no doubt of its utility and cheapness on the battle-ground, 
where the majestic steed is hourly falling before the destructive 
cannon-ball. Those who turn up their noses at the idea of eating 
horse-flesh, are requested to lead a horse from the stable, and a pig 
from the gutter, and ask themselves which is the more respectable 
looking candidate for the carver. 

If I may be allowed a brief paragraph, to deviate from the legiti- 
mate purpose of this chapter, I will remark that the excessive use of 
animal food is a great social evil. It is a proverbial fact, that man- 
kind are too much given to the brute diversion of fighting. Our 
halls of legislation are disgraced with personal encounters between 
gentlemen who are supposed to be far elevated above the brute 
creation, by their distinguished intellectual endowments. Now, we 
have as good authority as Professor Liebig, that meat makes men 
more pugnacious. He says : "It is certain that three men, one of 
whom has had a full meal of beef and bread, the second, cheese, or 
salt fish, and the third, potatoes, regard a difficulty, which presents 
itself, from entirely different points of view. The effect of the differ- 
ent articles of food on the brain and nervous system, is different, ac- 
cording to certain constituents, peculiar to each of these forms of 
food. A bear kept in the anatomical department of this university, 
exhibited a very gentle character so long as he was fed exclusively 
on bread. A few days' feeding with flesh, rendered him savage, 
prone to bite, and even dangerous to his keeper. The carnivorous are 
in general stronger, bolder, and more pugnacious than the herbivo- 
rous animals on which they prey. In like manner, those nations 
which live on vegetable food, differ in disposition from those which 
live chiefly on flesh." Forbearance is a great Christian virtue, and 
should be cultivated by every enlightened man. Had human beings 
been intended for fighting animals, their finger-ends would have 
been decorated with huge unbending nails, and their jaws distend- 



THL FOOD WE EAT. 67 

ed with savage tusks, like the boar. The excessive use of flesh is, 
therefore, sinful, and leads man to forget his present duty, and his 
hosvenly destiny, because it excites those emotional faculties which 
arc so prone to dethrone reason. 

Much has been written, pro andean, as to the necessity of resorting 
to the animal kiugdoni for sustenance. It seems to me the vegetarians 
have the best of the argument. Vegetables possess all the necessary 
elements of food, and by combination, or eaten in variety, impart 
more nutrition than animal diet. According to the investigations of 
Liebig, and other celebrated chemists, peas, beans, and lentils con- 
tain more of the blood-forming principle to the pound, than meat; 
wheat meal contains about as much, and oat meal, barley meal, stalo 
bread, and maize meal, about half as much ; and when you seek the 
heat-forming principle, potatoes contain more than meat, while 
bread, peas, lentils, barley meal, beans, sago, maize, oatmeal, and 
rice, yield double and treble the supply to the pound that animal 
food does. Nearly all vegetables provided for the table contain 
more solid matter to the pound than meat possesses. 

Facts sustain the vegetarian. A large portion of the people of 
Ireland, in their island home, hardly taste meat. They subsist upon 
potatoes, oatmeal, and --cabbage. Many of the Asiatics mainly sub- 
sist on rice and vegetable oils. The Lazzaroni of Naples, with all 
their uncleanliness, idleness, and vice, maintain a good physical ap- 
pearance on a diet of bread and potatoes. The Turks live mostly 
on vegetables, fruits, and nuts. A traveller remarks : — " Chops, sub- 
stantial soups, joints, any thing on which a Westerner could support 
nature, are never seen in a Turkish bazaar.' 1 We have people living 
in various parts of the United States who arc practical vegetarians, 
and eschew animal food of every description, excepting it may be 
eggs, milk, and butter, and some of these people do not use the latter. 
[ once met a hard-meated, healthy young Jew, who subsisted on Gra- 
ham bread, fruits, and nuts: and to carry out his dietetic rules he 
hired a room and boarded himself, which he could easily do without 
cook or housekeeper. D. U. Martin, the vegetable wherryman, 
gymnast, and phrenologist, tested his strength and endurance by 
subjecting himself to all sorts of hardships and exposures while 
pursuing strictly a vegetable diet. lie subsequently adopted an ex- 
clusively fruit diet, mainly apples, with what results I am unable 
to itate. It sometimes seems as if we only used meats as vehicles 



68 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

for conveying salt, sauces, and condiments to the stomach. People 
think they love the flavor of animal food itself. Just try it without 
salt, pepper, mustard, batter, or other seasoning, and see. 

Advocates of animal diet generally refer to the teeth, and some to 
the anatomical formation of the stomach, for evidences that our Crea- 
tor intended that Ave should eat meat ; hut the teeth and stomach of 
the orang-outang resemble those of man, and yet he does not be- 
long to the carnivorous or omnivorous species. Du Ohaillu says^that 
notwithstanding his large canine teeth, the gorilla of Africa is a strict 
vegetarian. According to Cuvier, " man's teeth are frugivorous — the 
cows, herbivorous— the lion's, carnivorous — and the hog's, omnivo- 
rous," so that both sides claim that the indications of the dental 
organs favor their distinctive views of diet. In eating the flesh of 
animals, as I look at it, we get vegetables second-hand, and contam- 
inated more or less by the diseases with which they are affected. 
There is, however, in animal food, a stimulating property which 
vegetables do not possess. Having heard of vegetarians being made 
slightly intoxicated by beef-steak, I once induced a vegetarian friend 
to try the experiment on himself, and he assured me it produced in 
his brain a sensation similar to that induced by a slight potation of 
alcoholic liquor. It is said that Irishmen who live exclusively on 
vegetables at home, on enlisting in the British army are sometimes 
attacked with what is called "meat fever," in consequence of their 
new diet being so much more stimulating than that to which they 
had been accustomed. 

There is a supposed necessity, and possibly a real necessity in some 
cases, for the use, to some extent, of animal food. This undoubtedly 
results from the habits of our ancestry. The child of an inebriate 
father often inherits his appetite, and cannot resist the temptation 
to drink intemperately of intoxicating beverages, and it may be easily 
supposed that the child of meat-eating parents may at least imagine he 
cannot live without meat. When, during a long line of ancestry, 
animal food has been the principal article of diet, the necessity may be 
actual instead of imaginary. He is like a patient who told me disease 
was his normal condition, and that medicine was his natural food ! 
Opium-eating sometimes becomes a necessity by the perversion of the 
system by narcotism. Whatever may have been the original design 
of our Creator, to allow mankind in the infancy of its development to 
live upon the flesh of other animals, I am confident the time will com© 



THE FOOD TVE EAT. 



69 



when a more beautifully developed and Christianized humanity will 
look back upon us of this century as a race of cannibals. No man 
or woman to-day, of noble sentiment and sympathetic nature, unless 
the habitue of the market, and thus hardened by familiarity with 
such sights, can pass the stall of the butcher with its display of crunk- 
less heads of calves, pigs, and cattle, and the bleeding and partly 
flayed carcasses of lambs and sheep, or look upon the white, but 
blood-stained apron of the meat-man, holding his monstrous knife, 
without a shudder, and a feeling of self-condemnation that lie and 
she are accessory to this Avholesale slaughter of innocent animals. 
u The dog delights to bark and bite;" it is the instinct of the cat to 
sneakingly assail and devour animals too weak to resist her prowess ; 
it is in the nature of the huge boa-constrictor to swallow pigeons, rab- 
bits, and other small game by the bushel ; it is the habit of the large 
fish to live upon the smaller ones, etc. But when we ascend from 
these lower species of the animal kingdom to the noblest work of 
God, may we not reasonably look for an end to this mutual carnage 
for the wherewithal to keep the vital machinery in action? 

AY hat excuse for man. who can shake from the tree above his head 
the juicy fruit which is rea- 
dy to fall ripe into his hand; 
who can pluck from the vine 
clusters of delicious grapes 
containing all the elements 
of food, prepared only as 
Old Dame Nature can pre- 
pare them ; who can plough 
up the rich sod, and produce 
by the planting succulent 
vegetables and fields of 
golden grain, and beneath the surface of the grim soil, esculent roots 
capable of imparting warmth and nourishment to the body; who 
can find in the rich meats of abundant nuts, and other oily products 
of plants and trees, all the oleaginous properties which animal fat 
supplies; what excuse, I ask, for man, with all these luxuries at 
hand, loaded with the necessary alimentary constituents, to imitate 
the murderous instincts of the lower animals, and eannibally live 
upon animals less powerful than himself! There i> one excuse, and 
only one, that can be presented for a man of this century, namely ; 




VEGETABLE FOOD. 



70 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

a meat-eating ancestry, and in some cases an ancestry of meat gor- 
mands. As before remarked, with some persons it seems to be an 
inherited necessity. But I have faith that man will some time out- 
grow this brutal appetite — this cruel physical necessity. The dawn 
of the millennium cannot light up human hands and arms red with 
the blood of slaughtered animals, or overtake the athletic man pick- 
ing the bones of tiny birds! The ingenious Yankee will invent a 
substitute for leather, and we already have enough substitutes for 
ivory and bone. There are millions of men and women to-day, who 
would give up a meat diet if they were compelled to slay the animals 
they eat. Stop for a moment, and read how the killing is done. I 
clip the following from a daily paper; it is headed "How Cattle are 
Slaughtered — Sunday Scenes at the Abattoir." The writer then 
proceeds : " On the arrival of cattle, they are transferred from the 
cars to yards, where usually they remain until sold or slaughtered. 
Before they are killed, eight or ten are driven up an inclined plane 
into the abattoir, where they are confined in pens about ten feet 
square. A row of these pens extends across the building, directly 
back of the dressing racks. When an animal is needed, lie is either 
drawn up with a rope attached to his hind leg, or he is speared. If 
the cattle are wild, the executioner mounts the stall, and takes his 
stand immediately over his victim. His spear is a rod of iron, six 
feet long, an inch in diameter, sharpened at the end like an oyster- 
knife. The 'killing spot' is just behind the horns, on the neck, 
which the spearsman frequently does not hit. To see a person 
throwing one of these spears into a pen of cattle is sickening. Often 
several bullocks are pierced in the forehead or eyes, and their faces 
are streaming with blood long before the death of a single one! The 
wounded, after waiting from ten minutes to an hour for their turn, 
are again attacked, and killed one by one, the survivors receiving 
fresh wounds on every attack! A Western expert," continues this 
writer, " styles this treatment the devilish torture of a bungling 
butcher." (If it only were, I should say Amen ; but it seems to 
be the devilish torture of innocent animals.) " Cattle are not the 
only sufferers, but the swine are also pierced, and often plunged into 
scalding water before they are dead ! The butchers say that the 
spear is used for killing wild cattle only ; but one who frequents the 
abattoir says that the contrary is the fact. Even the windlass is a 
barbarous instrument. With this a noose is fastened to the animal's 



THE FOOD WE EAT. 



71 



hind leg : the machinery is started, the bullock tumbles over, and 
after being swung up alive, his throat is cut. In Cincinnati butchers 
knock their hogs on the head with a long-handled hammer, but in 
Chicago," the writer thinks, ''dumb brutes are killed humanely. 
A rope communicating with a windlass passes through a ring in the 
floor, and is made fast to the bullock's horn. Then a man turns a 
crank, and the animal is gently led into the slaughter-house, where, 
at one blow, he falls to the floor. The executioner never misses his 
mark, because the bullock's head is held immovable by the ring." 

Fig. 20. 




THE ANIMALS WE SLAUGHTER. 

Farmers who do the slaughtering upon their own premises, for 
their family use, generally treat their animals with greater gentle- 
ness ; but under the best of circumstances, cutting the throats of 
lambs, knocking cattle on the head, piercing the jugular of the hog, 
guillotining poultry with an axe, cannot be done in any way to 
avoid shocking the sensibilities of people who have kind hearts and 
educated heads. It is in vain to talk of this murderous work being- 
done humanely, and such are its effects upon those styled butchers, 
that they are not allowed, in some States, to sit upon a jury in cases 
involving the life of the criminal ! 

The late Henry Bergh, who effected so much in mitigating 



72 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

the cruelties practised on animals, writing to Dr. Holmes, remarked 
as follows : — " I believe as you do, that the abolition of the use of 
the flesh of all animals would result in physical and moral improve- 
ment to our race. Having been in countries where meat is rarely, 
if ever eaten, and having observed the superior endurance of fatigue, 
as well as gentleness of character, of the inhabitants, I feel convinced 
that the slaughter of dumb animals, and the devouring of their flesh, 
account for the largest share of the moral and physical diseases 
which affect mankind. I have had an Arab of the desert run behind 
my horse a distance of twelve miles without betraying the least sign 
of fatigue, and the cheerful fellow had never tasted meat. For my 
own part," continues Mr. Bergh, " I can eat meat because of habit. 
But then the least appearance of blood, by reason of insufficient 
cooking, shocks my sensibilities, and causes my stomach to revolt." 
God grant that every generation of man may consume less animal 
flesh, and feed his children with still less, until the human race shall 
outgrow a habit which makes him little better than a cannibal. 

Grease is supplied quite too abundantly for the table to preserve the 
purity of the blood. Weak stomachs call loudly for reform in this 
particular, while strong ones faithfully perform tkeir work of sending 
the offending substance to the vascular system, to feed or create hu- 
mors. Fat is not digested in the stomach, but simply melted and 
absorbed into the blood. A certain amount is necessary to nourish 
the brain, and save the wear and tear of the nervous system ; but 
fatty meats and rich gravies are positively injurious. Dead animal 
fats are non-conductors of electricity, and their presence in large 
quantities in the stomach tends to resist the action of the nervous 
fluids furnished by the brain through the pneumo-gastric nerve, and 
to impair digestion. Eggs, milk, butter, and vegetables yielding oil, 
furnish all the oleaginous substance necessary to carry on the pro- 
cesses of nature. 

Diet exercises such an influence upon us all, physically and moral- 
ly, too much care cannot be observed as to the quality of the food 
we eat, and the regularity with which it is taken. A newspaper 
writer, I don't know who, — remarks, u that much of our conduct 
depends upon the character of the food we eat. Bonaparte used to 
attribute the loss of one of his battles to a poor dinner, which at the 
time disturbed his digestion. How many of our mis-judgments, how 
many of our deliberate errors, how many of our unkindnesses, our 



THE FOOD WE EAT. 73 

cruelties, our acts of thoughtlessness and recklessness, may be 
actually owing to a cause of the same character. We eat something 
that deranges the condition of the stomach. Through the stomach 
nerve, that derangement immediately affects the brain. Morose- 
ness succeeds amiability, and under its influence we do that which 
would shock our sensibility at any other moment. The disturbance 
of the digestion may involve the liver. In this affliction the brain 
profoundly sympathizes. The temper is soured, the understanding is 
narrowed, prejudices are strengthened, generous impulses are sub- 
dued, selfishness, originated by physical disturbances which perpetu- 
ally attract the mind's attention, becomes a chronic mental disorder. 
The feeling of charity dies out ; we live for ourselves alone ; we 
have no care for others, and all this change of nature is the conse- 
quence of an injudicious diet." Protracted intervals between meals 
should always be avoided, if possible. In large cities, it is the cus- 
tom of many business men to go from 8 or 9 a. m. to 4 or 5 p. m. 
without eating. Three-fourths of the merchants of New York do 
not dine till 5 o'clock, and a large number of these take no luncheon, 
A writer, quoting from Dr. Oombe, and " Household Science,'"' 
advances some sensible views, which may be appropriately intro- 
duced here. He says : — "The grand rule in fixing the number and 
periods of our meals is to proportion them to the real wants of the 
system as modified by age, sex, health, and manner of life, as indi- 
cated by the true returns of appetite. As the blood is usually most 
impoverished after the eight or ten hours' fast of the night, break- 
fast should be early. The stomach is usually vacated of its nutritive 
contents in about four hours after eating, but it may be an hour or 
two later before the blood begins to call upon it for a renewed sup- 
ply. Persons engaged in active labor, in which bodily expenditure 
is rapid, of course require to eat more often than the indolent and 
sedentary, and children need nourishment oftener than adults. But 
too long abstinence, especially if the digestive power be not strong, 
sharpens the appetite, so that there arises danger of excessive eating. 
Some avoid luncheon, for fear of spoiling the dinner, whereas the 
thing they most need is to have it spoiled. When the intervals be- 
tween the meals are so long as to produce pressing hunger, some- 
thing should be taken between them to stay the appetite, and pre- 
vent over-eating. Late and hearty suppers are to be reprobated ; 
active digestion and sleep mutually disturb each other, as at night 
4 



74 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

the exhalation of carbonic gas is lowest, and tissue-changes most re- 
tarded. The overloaded blood is not relieved, and invades the 
repose of the brain, producing heavy, disordered dreams, and night- 
mare, followed by headache and ill-humor in the morning. Still, 
there is the opposite extreme, of sitting up late, and going to bed 
wearied, hungry, and with an indefinable sense of sinking, followed 
by restless, unrefreshing sleep. A little light nourishment in such 
cases, a couple of hours before retiring, may prevent these un- 
pleasant effects." 

There is no doubt great difference in the actual needs of people in 
the matter of food. Many have tested and become ardent advocates 
of the " two-meals-a-day " plan, while some find even only one meal 
per day sufficient for them, and seemingly best to maintain health. 
Experiences of such persons also differ as to the time of day when 
the one or two meals should be taken. Dr. Edward Hooker Dewey, 
of Meadville, Pa., after seventeen years experience in going without 
breakfast, wrote a book of over three hundred pages to advocate his 
plan for general adoption, but especially for those who have become 
dyspeptic, obese, plethoric, or addicted to excessive use of alcoholics. 
He has many converts who are firm in the faith of ' ' the morning 
fast." His theory is that the digestive apparatus is not fully waked 
up and ready for business until the person has stirred about and got 
the blood circulating well, and the glands begin to secrete digestive 
fluids. Others advise dispensing with the noon-day meal on the 
ground that when the nerve-forces are drawn to the brain in active 
business affairs digestion is likely to fail for lack of nerve-stimulus. 
Others prefer going without an evening meal. The fact is, the 
stomach has been a much abused organ, and there are many ways 
of easing up on it, no one of which is the perfect one for everybody, 
but each has its fitness for somebody. The overfed brain-worker 
who dines and wines to repletion in the evening, sleeps late and gets 
up with a " thick tasting " mouth and no appetite, may well break- 
fast on a cool glass of water and an orange, postponing his first real 
meal till lunch-time; while the farmer who rises at four or five in 
the morning and completes half a day's work before breakf ast will 
find his digestive functions ready for it. Yet the farmer may find 
it wise to eat lightly at noon if he have an afternoon's work to do in 
the heat of the sun. Food should not be taken after severe exercise, 
nor Aery severe exercise follow a hearty meal. To sum up all under 



THE LIQUIDS WE DRINK. 75 

this head, people must be more careful what they eat, at what times 
they eat, how much they eat, if they would preserve the healthy con- 
dition of the vascular and nervous systems. There can be no precise 
rule laid down for the governance of all. A little careful observa- 
tion, however, would teach every one of mature age what is best 
adapted to his particular organization. If men would watch with 
1-ialf as much anxiety the influences of different articles of food on 
their systems, as they do the effects of growing crops, and financial 
failures on the money market, longevity would oftener be obtained 
than large fortunes. 



The Liquids we Drink. 

A correct understanding of the effects of various liquids com- 
monly used as beverages, will enable the reader to understand how 
much they have to do in the production of Fig. 21. 

nervous derangements, and blood impuri- 
ties. It is estimated that every person 
drinks about 1500 pounds of liquids per 
annum. All these are filtered through the 
human system, leaving whatever nutritious 
or poisonous properties they possess. The 
Chinese tea forms the principal beverage 
of all the Northern States, and, British 
Provinces of America. In Central Amer- 
ica, the heterogeneous population resort to 
chocolate, while in South America, the tea 
of Paraguay is freely indulged in. In the TnE liquids we drink. 
Southern States, and West India Islands, coffee seems to be the greater 
favorite, particularly with adopted citizens, and perhaps this remark 
is equally true of this class in the Northern States. In France, 
Germany, Sweden, and Turkey, coffee is principally used ; in Eng- 
land, Russia, and Holland, tea; in Spain and Italy, chocolate; in 
Ireland, the husks of cocoa. The Chinese tea has found its way to 
the Himalayas and the plains of Siberia, and is probably drank by 
more people than any other beverage. Coffee-leaf tea is sipped in 
Sumatra, while the Ethiopians of Central Africa quaff the Abyssinian 
chaat. In portions of Africa, the natives make a beverage of the 
juice of the plantain, called pombe. The plantain is said to be " the 
food, and its juice the drink of the people." Pombe is intoxicating, 




7fi OAUSES OF NERVOUS ANT> BLOOP DERANGEMENTS. 

and a traveler relates that " no man of any standing thinks himself to 
have got fairly through the day, until he has sat upon pombe, which 
simply means become drunk." The Mexicans make several liquors 
from a plant that grows very extensively there, called the maguey, 
the most common of which liquor is called pulque. It is as common 
in that country, and as much prized, as beer is in Germany. The 
Indians along the borders of the Rio Grande, slice and dry what 
they call pieoke, and what the whites denominate " whiskey root, ,! 
which they chew until its intoxicating effects are experienced. In 
all civilized countries, malt and vinous liquors, rum, whiskey, brandy, 
gin, and other distilled liquors are drank in enormous quantities. It 
may be truly said, that whiskey leads the march of civilization. 
Wherever the missionary or the agent of commerce penetrates, 
civilization creeps along with rum in the advance. 

Authors and orators are often excessive topers. The author of 
" The Raven" died of the effects of a drunken frolic. One of the 
most eloquent men that ever graced the Senate of the United States, 
and to whom on one occasion when he was speaking, a celebrated 
English authoress threw her glove, as a demonstration of her appre- 
ciation of his eloquence, dropped from the eminence he had gained, 
before the world fairly knew him, overpowered with excessive indul- 
gence in strong drink. Gluck, the musical composer, drew his 
inspiration from champagne ; Southey drank hot rum at bed-time; 
Coleridge absorbed rum excessively ; Byron's poems were the pro- 
ducts of poet's brains macerated in gin. Rabelais said, "eating and 
drinking are my two sources of inspiration. See this bottle ? It is 
my true and only Helicon, my cabalistic fountain, my sole enthusiasm. 
Drinking, I deliberate, and deliberating, I drink." " Ennius, ^Eschylus, 
and Cato," remarks a writer, "all got their inspiration while drink- 
ing; Mezzerai had always a large bottle of wine beside him among 
his books ; lie drank of it at each page he wrote." It is not sur- 
prising that some one discovered that "genius to madness is close 
allied," and since that discovery, we see many who seem to think 
that madness to genius is close allied, so that all they have to do to 
exhibit great genius, is to get drunk. We will not, however, dwell 
longer on the drinking proclivities of nationalities and individuals, 
but proceed to look into the qualities and effects of our most common 
beverages. 



THE LIQUIDS WE DRINK. 



77 



Tea and Coffee. — Tea was first brought to the notice of Europe- 
ans by the Portuguese in the 10th century, although previously to 
that period warm drinks were extensively made from sage and 
other herbs. Coffee was first introduced into southern Europe in 
the same century, but the Persians received it from Ethiopia as early 
as the 8th century. Unadulterated tea, as it comes upon the table, 
contains gum, grape sugar, tannin, and theine; and coffee ready for 
use possesses fat and volatile oil, sugar (such as may be obtained 
from grape, honey, and most acid fruits), dextrine, and caffeine. Both 
the theine of tea and caffeine of coffee furnish the elements of bile. 

The enthusiasm which these beverages have awakened, respecting 
their agreeable qualities, may be interesting here. An astute China- 
man, with the funny cognomen of Lo Yu, who sipped piping-hot tea 
over one thousand years ago, said, "it tempers the spirits and 
harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude, and relieves fatigue, awakens 

thought and prevents drow- 

l Fig. 22. 

siness, lightens or refreshes 

the body and clears the per- 
ceptive faculties." A Eu- 
ropean of the 16th century 
spoke of coffee "as a bever- 
age which helpeth digestion 
and procureth alacrity." 
Whether Chinaman and Eu- 
ropean were entirely right or 
not, in their estimate of the 
good qualities of tea and 
coffee, the fact presents it- 
self to-day, that no bever- 
ages are so extensively used ; and I think modern writers may say 
with truth, that if used moderately, and with due reference to temper- 
ament and individual idiosyncrasy, none are more harmless. 

The fact that tea does not agree with one person, does not prove it 
dangerous or injurious for another. Some people cannot eat straw- 
berries without an attack of colic; others enjoy strawberries, but a 
sweet apple will create constipation. The effects of tea and coffee 
depend entirely on the physical peculiarities of the drinkers, and the 
same as in the use of food, no definite rule can be laid down. Gen- 
eral directions may be given, which, if observed, will enable most 




A TEA PLANT. 



78 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

intelligent persons to judge of what is positively hurtful in their 
individual cases. Few nervous people can drink tea, while those of 
a hilious and lymphatic temperament, can indulge with impunity. 
The effects on the former are usually weakness, tremor, hysteria, 
hypochondria, and paralysis; while on the latter, they are mental 
and corporeal exhilaration. Tea acts at once on the nervous system, 
quickening the circulation of the electrical elements, and imparting 
to the man of sluggish nerve activity and vivacity, and its use often 
allays headache induced by bilious disturbances. With its narcotic 
properties, it possesses peculiar exhilarating powers, which may result 
in a measure from the speedy re-actory effects of the former. Coffee, 
on the other hand, is generally suitable to lean, nervous persons. It 
acts upon the blood, and is bracing to the muscular system. Persons 
who are not bilious may often allay a severe headache, if not caused 
by indigestion, or a weakness of the stomach, by a moderate potation 
of this luxury. It is a palliative in spasmodic diseases, hysterical 
affections, and chronic diarrhoea, and asthmatic persons find relief in 
its use, provided other peculiarities of their systems do not reject it. 
Coffee should not be used by fleshy and bilious people. It thickens 
the blood, and apoplexy is sometimes the result of its excessive use-. 
For the same reason, chocolate and cocoa may be drank by lean, 
nervous people, while they are injurious to those of corpulent ten- 
dency. Many nervous individuals, however, cannot drink coffee, 
chocolate, or cocoa, for the same reason they cannot drink any hot 
beverages, i. e., they stimulate in too great a degree the action of the 
stomach battery, by which means the system becomes overpowered, 
not exactly with the quantity, but velocity of the animal electrical 
currents, and the vital organs rendered too active. Pour hot water 
into the acid of a galvanic battery, and the generation of electricity 
is greatly accelerated. As in eating, therefore, effects should be 
watched and heeded. Tea and coffee, like many other things, are 
abused. They are universally used to excess, and by many who 
should not use them at all. They are also often badly adulterated. 
The producers of both of these staples have among them people who 
are quite as unscrupulous as are those farmers who sell apples and po- 
tatoes, with large ones only at the top of the barrel ; or, as those who 
not knowing which end of the barrel will be opened, put the small 
ones in the middle and the large ones at either end. John Chinaman 
is even worse, for he puts poison in tea to improve its appearance. 



THE LIQUIDS WE DRIXK. fo, 

Sir John Davis caught him adding Prussian blue, indigo, and porce- 
lain clay, to give inferior tea a good salable color. According to 
Hassell, all green teas are colored ; naturally, they look like black 
teas, with the exception of having a tint of olive. Black teas having 
a very smooth and glossy appearance, are made so by rolling the 
leaves with pulverized black lead, a powerful poison. The English 
merchants sometimes play a scaly trick on tea drinkers, by pur- 
chasing from hotels, cheap boarding-houses, and other public eating 
places, tea leaves which have been used, and dried, and mixing them 
with genuine teas. This bit of cheatery enables them to undersell 
their more honorable competitors. Traders who can do this are fit 
companions for tobacco manufacturers, who have collected from the 
streets and sidewalks cigar stumps which they manufacture into 
smoking tobacco. 

The adulterations of tea are much more deleterious to health than 
those commonly practised in coffee. English chiccory, which is 
similar to our dandelion, is extensively employed in supplying the 
market with cheap coffee. It possesses little of the nutritive proper- 
ties of genuine coffee, and is entirely unlike it medicinally. For 
instance, coffee does not act well on systems affected with bilious 
disorders, and usually benefits rather than injures persons having 
nervous affections without any hepatic or digestive disturbances. It 
is just the reverse with chicory. This is often applied in bilious 
affections, and its protracted use injures the nervous system. Not 
content with adulterating coffee with chiccory, the grasping dealer 
often adulterates chiccory with scorched wheat, peas, acorns, rye, 
beans, corn, carrots, etc., and to such an extent, that those who pur- 
chase packages ready burned and ground, labelled ''coffee,'' do not 
know what they drink. The only safe plan for the consumer is to 
purchase the berry before it is ground. If it costs more, it is simply 
because it is not adulterated, while the ground article is cheaper for 
no other reason than because it is composed of something cheaper 
than the coffee berry. These coffee adulterations may be easily 
avoided ; it would be a comfort if those of tea could be as compe- 
tently set aside. It would be, however, a prudent measure for every- 
body to give up the use of green teas altogether, and not use the 
black when the leaves have a very smooth and glossy appearance, or 
when they will not unfold iD boiling water. 



80 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

Strong Drinks. — As previously remarked in introducing what is 
said on " The Liquids We Drink," every people under the sun have 
ever had their favorite stimulating beverages. In fact, many scien- 
tists believe that the human stomach does some brewing for itself, 
and if so, none can escape the presence in the system of a little alco- 
hol. I ventured several years ago, in The Health Monthly, to say 
that such was probably the case, not knowing that the idea had ever 
been broached before. But in looking up this subject I find that 
Steinmetz's "History of Tobacco," published about the middle of 
the nineteenth century, is quoted as having said: " I feel compelled 
to believe, in advance of Liebig, that alcohol is absolutely generated 
in the digestive process of all animals." An article in the "Food 
and Fuel Reformer " in 1875 tells us that Dr. Dupre, in the course of 
his investigation discovered that alcohol is found in small quantities 
in the excretions even of persons who do not touch fermented bever- 
ages in any form; that is, the healthy system of the teetotaler brews, 
so to speak, a little drop for itself. 

Fig. 23. Dr. Edward Curtis, while 

occupying the Chair of Ma- 
teria Medica in the College 
of Physicians and Surgeons 
in New York, in a letter to 
the New York Tribune, 
gave his testimony as fol- 
lows: 

"Some late researches 
make it more than probable 
that a certain amount of 
alcohol is regularly formed 
in the animal economy, 
since a substance answer- 
ing all the tests of alcohol 
has been detected in small 
quantity as a regular in- 
gredient of the blood and 
the man who drinks modern LiQuoits. certain secretions, both in 

animals and in men who had taken no alcoholic drink for years." 
Still, doctors and scientific writers on the subject disagree. They 
have been discussing the properties and effects of alcohol with 




THE LIQUIDS WE DRINK 



81 



much warmth during the memory of the oldest inhabitant and there 
has as yet been no unanimous verdict as to their properties and 
effects. On the one side we have a large and intelligent band of 
reformers who proclaim that all malt, vinous and distilled liquors 
are a curse to the race and are only productive of evil. They would 
not employ them even as medicines. On the other, there are physi- 
cians and scientists who insist that they possess virtues which, if 
used intelligently and not abused, may add to the sum of human 
happiness. Some experimentalists deny that they possess any of the 
properties of food, and others' will cite remarkable examples to 
prove that they do. When doctors thus disagree, we can only fall 



Fig. 24 



Fig. 25. 





THE MAN WHO DON T. 



THE AUTFMN OF A TEMPERATE LIFE. 



back on the experiences of the human family, and each for himself 
draw his own conclusions. So far as the writer's observations 
enable him to speak, he would say that malt liquors, which are 
almost universally used among the most advanced nations of the 
earth, may be considered wholesome, if used in moderation, by lean, 
nervous, cold, bloodless persons, but they are not adapted to individ- 
uals of full habit. In extreme moderation they may doubtless be 
taken without any manifest injury by the latter; but under strictly 
hygienio rules such beverages are only suited to those who need 
<; building up," to use a common expression. 

The same rule applies to other fermented liquors known as wines. 
In some conditions of the stomach, wherein digestion and assimila- 
tion are not active, the temperate use of wines with food may 
at least allay the uncomfortable symptoms of dyspepsia ; but the 



82 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

prohibitionist will tell you it is because they produce an anesthetic, 
or sedative effect ; that they simply deaden sensibility. An anti- 
prohibitionist will as confidently assure you that they awaken the 
digestive machinery and stimulate it to healthful action. Wines 
doubtless have their uses as well as abuses. 

Some years since Dr. Edward Curtis, whom we have already 
quoted, contributed an article to the New York Tribune, in which 
he claimed that alcohol, if used within certain limits, is transformed 
like ordinary food without injurious effects; that used in excess it 
produces a well-known train of perturbations of function; that 
"even the early phases of alcoholic disturbance, which are often 
improperly termed 'stimulating,' are part and parcel of the inju- 
riously disturbing influence of over-dosage, and must therefore be 
put in the same category with the more seriously poisonous effects 
of pronounced intoxication." 

"Alcohol," said this writer, " has thus a twofold action. First, it 
is capable, in proper dose, of being consumed and utilized as a 
force-producer ; in which case there is no visible disturbance of 
normal function. Such action cannot be distinguished either by 
the drinker or the physiologist from that of a quickly digestible fluid 
food, and is no more an " excitement," or " stimulation," followed 
by a " recoil" or " depression," than is the action of a bowl of hot 
soup or of a glass of milk. The second action is the poisonous 
influence of an excess of alcohol circulating in the blood, which 
makes itself sensible to the drinker by peculiar sensations and dis- 
turbances, and is not only followed by "depression," but is itself a 
form of depression — that is, a disturbance of balance; an unnatural 
perturbation of the normal working of the functions. 

Dr. Curtis then proceeds to say that no one rule can be given as 
to the quantity which a person may safely use. The " poison line" 
is a shifting one. " Even in health it varies according to age, sex, 
individual peculiarity and habit, and even in the same person 
according to his physical condition for the time being." 

This rational and scientific treatise was at once attacked by T. H. 
Taber, of Illinois, who, in a communication to the Tribune, quoted 
Dr. W. B. Carpenter, Dr. E. Smith, F. R. S., Prof. Lehmann, Prof. 
Moleschott, Dr. T. K. Chambers, and many other prominent author- 
ities, all of whom were made to appear quite antagonistic to Dr. 
Curtis' views and conclusions. 



THE LIQUIDS WE DRINK. 83 

About the same time Dr. Egbert Guernsey in the Medical Union 
gave expression to opinions which most people, not warped by 
extreme prejudices, would be likely to endorse: 

" A slight examination of alcohol as a narcotic, its depressing and 
poisonous influence on the human system," he says, "will be suf- 
ficient to show that the stronger forms of alcoholic liquors, such as 
brandy, whiskey, rum, and gin, should never be used except with 
great care and only as a medicine. ...... Alcohol, in doses capa- 
ble of producing drunkenness, has been demonstrated to be a true 
narcotic poison, of the same class as the anesthetics — Chloroform and 
Sulphuric Ether. Given in large doses, it produces a suspension of 
nervous activity, a paralysis more or less marked. This, combined 
with the deficiency in vital power so common in chronic drinkers, 
accounts for the great nervous debility we see in the delirious crisis. 
Alcohol is easily absorbed into the system, and given in small doses 
in weak and exhausted systems when there is a deficiency of vital 
action, it acts as a healthy stimulus, toning up the arterial and ner- 
vous systems, brightening the faculties and improving the digestion. 
When properly timed and given only in doses just sufficient to 
gently stimulate, we get only its homoeopathic or tonic action, and 
never experience that depressing reaction which is sure to follow 
the stronger or more narcotic doses. 

"This is demonstrated," says Dr. Guernsey, "by the Sphygmo- 
graph of M. Marcy, which carefully registers every pulse- wave, 
showing the arterial tonicity present. Applying this test we find 
that the small vessels, relaxed from .fatigue, are brought up by a 
small dose of alcohol to a healthy action from which there is no re- 
coil. If the dose has been large, or given when the system did not 
require it, the Sphygmograph, measuring carefully the pulse-waves, 
shows an arterial relaxation, and an accelerated pulse. If the dose 
has been sufficiently large, symptoms of a paralytic nature are 
speedily observed, confined at first to the spinal and fifth cranial 
nerves, and shown in the weakness of the muscles of the extremi- 
ties, and the numbness of the lips. Steadily the narcotic influence 
marches up to the cerebral hemisphere, and now comes the intellect- 
ual confusion and the thickness of speech, the delirium, the coma, 
and, if the system has been brought completely under the influence 
of the poison, the paralysis of the medulla oblongata and cardiac 
nerves, and death." 



84 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

The prevalence of the liquor habit is doubtless due to the fact that 
all the races of mankind are as yet imperfectly developed. The 
whole human family is sick, and alcohol in some form is the pop- 
ular drug, the great panacea. The time will come, quite likely, 
when distilled liquors will find their appropriate place on the shelves 
of the apothecary. 

Alcohol is the product of the most nutritive substances, and of so 
much use to them, that they decay as soon as the alcohol, either by 
distillation or evaporation, is taken from them. A little of this 
property added to a mash of decaying vegetables, or to fermenting 
syrups, arrests the chemical change they are undergoing. 

Taken into the human system alcohol retards the too rapid waste 
which is going on in the physical constituents of one who is diseased. 
In people of a scrofulous diathesis, the corpuscles of the blood ex- 
hibit a kind of decomposed or rotten appearance, and this disposition 
to rot may be arrested by the judicious use of liquors. The correct- 
ness of both of these propositions rests in the well-known fact that 
alcohol has the power to prevent decomposition and decay of animal 
matter. Cases have no doubt come to the observation of many 
readers wherein the strictly temperate children of scrofulous par- 
entage have died young, while the wilder ones, or the " black sheep " 
of the family, who have been given to habits of drinking, have 
lived to a gray old age. 

The thin and watery blood of colorless invalids may, in many 
cases, be changed to a healthy condition by a moderate use of alco- 
holic drinks, the tonic and stimulating properties of which seem to 
concentrate and congeal the unorganized solid substances of the 
blood, and by the assistance of nature form them into healthy cor- 
puscles. They also diminish the bulk of the watery constituents. 
This last proposition is entirely consistent with the well-known 
chemical properties of alcohol. The proof of the other lies in the 
fact that a little alcohol added to fresh blood, imparts to it greater 
density and redness. It is an interesting experiment to place a shal- 
low glass vessel in a position between yourself below, and a bright 
gas-light above; then have some one pour into the vessel a little 
fresh blood followed with a small quantity of alcohol. At once 
there is great perturbation among the fluids ending in a considerable 
condensation of them; also a concentration and reddening of the 
solid constituents. Fresh milk contains butter in solution, but it 



THE LIQUIDS WE DRINK. 85 

requires a strong arm to separate the substance from the liquid. 
When this is done, a weak hand may roll it into balls, and impress 
the faces of them with an embellishing stamp. However deficient 
the blood may be, in any case, of corpuscles and globules, it most 
unquestionably possesses all these at least in solution, and though 
nature may need some assistance m separating the solids from the 
fluids, her strength may be equal to the task, when this is done, to 
form them into the globules and corpuscles. This assistance alcohol 
seems able to give, if it does not in some way disagree with the con- 
stitutional peculiarities of the patient. Cases illustrative of this 
fact have not only occurred a thousand times under the eye of the 
physician, but are well known to the public generally. 

Alcohol, in a measure, supplies a substitute for animal caloric, in 
persons lacking vascular vitality. In these cases, the blood is 
always innutritious and watery. The alcohol, combining with these 
excessive watery properties, generates heat. The proof of this we 
have in the well-known chemical law, that when alcohol is added 
to fluid, heat is evolved. 

In persons of greatly reduced strength, and having an insufficient 
supply of nervous vitality, alcohol seems to furnish, temporarily, at 
least, a substitute for nerve-force, which carries them over an un- 
bridged chasm, and sustains them until the recuperative powers of 
nature can rally to then* assistance. Facts sustaining this statement 
have come under the observation of every physician, or nurse, in 
either acute or chronic practice. At moments when a patient seems 
to be in a sinking condition, the administration of an alcoholic 
stimulant in the form of brandy, or of vinous liquors, will revive 
him. 

Alcohol is an almost indispensable agent in the laboratory, in the 
preparation of tinctures and extracts. The virtues of many plants 
would be lost without the aid of alcohol to extract them. After 
this extraction, however, the alcohol may be " turned out of doors," 
by evaporation, so that it is not an indispensable part of a treatment 
to administer this poison to the patient whose physical condition 
would not require it. 

For the same reason that vinous and distilled liquors are beneficial 
to some people, they are dangerous and injurious to others. Those 
having healthy blood, and plenty of nervous vitality, may carry the 
thickening of the one, and the stimulation of the other, too far, so 



8fi CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

that the former be made too sluggish in its circulation, and the lat- 
ter excessive in its action. The blood, becoming too thick, congests 
the minute and sensitive arteries and veins of the brain, and causes 
apoplexy, congestion of the brain, etc. The nervous system, mad- 
dened by excitement, renders the brain a victim to all sorts of men- 
tal vagaries, ending, if carried beyond a certain limit, in delirium 
tremens. 

The evil of alcohol is its power to dethrone reason, and lead its 
victim a drivelling captive to poverty, vice, and crime. It enables 
people to overwork mind and body ; to revive spirits, depressed by 
social dissipation; to put to rest a stomach loaded with unwholesome 
viands ; to silence the voice of an outraged conscience ; to drown 
the woes which a reckless life has engendered, 

Alcohol disease is a terrible malady. It is attended with constant 
and insatiable thirst, and the victim seems powerless to reform. Dr. 
Day, of the Binghamton Inebriate Asylum, says, that dissections of 
dead drunkards betray enlargements of the ' ' globules of which the 
brain, blood, and other organs are composed, so that those globules 
stand open-mouthed, as it were, empty, athirst, inflamed, and eager 
to be filled." To people thus afflicted, who have reformed, and 
seemingly got the better of the disease, alcohol, in any form, is a 
dangerous medicine ; and physicians should exercise great caution 
when such cases come under their care. There are, undoubtedly, 
quite as many affected with alcohol disease as with dyspepsia — 
possibly more — facts which exhibit the evils of excessive drinking, 
as well as those of excessive and ill-timed eating. All intemper- 
ance has its physical as well as moral penalties, which sometimes 
fall with crushing weight on those who do not study their constitu- 
tional peculiarities, and confine themselves to such habits in life 
as in their best judgment promote strength of nerve and purity 
of blood. 

Drunkards are not properly treated to effect their reformation. 
Men of unfortunate habits are daily arrested in our large cities, 
dragged to dark and dismal cells, locked up for the night, and in 
the morning taken before the police magistrate, charged with gross 
intoxication, when they are either "sent up" for thirty days, or 
fined ten dollars, or perhaps, in some cases, both penalties are inflict- 
ed. A man who is in the habit of getting drunk will not think 
much of ten dollars after he has taken the third horn, and by the 



THE LIQUIDS WE DRINK. 



87 



time lie has taken his tenth, he becomes too oblivious to care whether 
he sleeps in his own bed a,t home, or upon the floor of a cell at the 
station house. But he awakens in the morning to find that he has 
taken one more step in disgracing himself, and with his self-respect 
considerably lowered, he emerges from his cell to receive his exami- 
nation and sentence. As many times as he gets drunk, so many 
times is he put through this process of degradation, until every 
particle of manhood is thoroughly worked out of him. The proper 
way to treat slaves to an inebriate appetite would be to sentence 
them to ten days of instruction on the injurious effects of intemper- 
ance upon the stomach and nervous system. It would be public 
economy to employ good lecturers, who could portray in stirring 
words, such as the late John B. Gough uttered, the misery entailed, 
morally, socially, and physically, by intemperance, and at the same 
time exhibit by anatomical plates, prepared expressly for the pur- 
pose, the serious injuries the digestive and other vital organs suffer 
through the effects of inebriety. Every large city could well afford 
an institution of this kind, with every facility for improving the 
minds and morals of those who are picked up drunk in the streets. 



Fig. 26. 



^r->- 



: k:&- 







ilw. 




£ 



THE FARM- YARD, THE ONLY PLACE TO FIND PURB CuW'S MILK. 

In the rural districts, every county could economically make such 
an investment, and in this way a multitude of inebriate homers 
could be sustained at no greater expense than is now incurred in 
punishing the offenders of law and good order, who are made so 
thr< >ugh intemperance in the use of ardent spirits. Many young men 
t a spree without thinking they receive more than temporary 



88 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

injury, which a little attention to diet, etc., for a few days, will over- 
come ; and many a hardened toper thinks when he takes a notion to 
stop the use of intoxicating drinks, that will he the end of it. Such 
uninformed persons should be taught better. There is no prospect 
of their receiving the necessary tuition, so long as they are simply 
fined and imprisoned for becoming intoxicated. 

Having hastily reviewed the constituents and physical effects of 
the most common beverages concocted by man, and passed some 
strictures upon them and their consumers, I will no vv call the atten- 
tion of the reader to those fluids which Nature has so abundantly 
furnished for the use of mankind. Many may be surprised to find 
that these are not entirely above criticism. 

Milk is the first fluid which is permitted to enter the human sys- 
tem ; and perhaps, considering the ignorance, indiscrimination, and 
reckless folly of the mass of human animals, it were better if others 
had never been provided. Milk contains all the elements of whole* 
some food, and all that is necessary to the sustenance and growth of 
the animal organism. Its constituents are water, sugar, butter, 
caseine, or curd, and the various salts necessary for the support of 
the system. The sugar of milk is less apt to produce acidity of the 
stomach than the sugar of vegetables, and it is prepared in Switzer- 
land for food, and exported for the Homceopathists, who use it in 
making their little medicated pellets. No milk contains so much of 
this sugar as that from the breasts of woman. Indeed, all the con- 
stituents of milk vary considerably in their proportions in different 
animals. Compared with that from the cow, woman's milk contains 
not only more sugar but more water, and usually more salts, while it 
contains less butter and caseine. This difference renders it impossi- 
ble to make cow's milk a perfect substitute for that from the breast 
of the mother for infants. If common sugar be added to the milk 
of the cow to make up a deficiency in this property, and water to 
lessen the excessive supply of butter and caseine, the babe becomes 
affected with sour stomach and indigestion. If the cow be fed on 
improper food, such as still slops, its milk becomes a still poorer 
substitute for the mother's milk for the child, because it contains a 
still less supply of sugar of milk and natural salts, and an excessive 
quantity of caseine. The deficiencies and inequalities are sometimes 
regulated by shrewd dealers, but the milk cannot be made to possess 



TRK LIQUIDS "«*K PRIXK. 



89 



the properties of that from a healthy, grazing cow. Milk is exten- 
sively adulterated in large villages and cities. A man living in the 
suburbs of this city was reported to the President of the Sanitary 



Pig 




TEETH OF A STALL-FED COW. 



Commission as a fabricator of milk by chemical composition, as 
follows: sugar, roasted, imparted the yellow color; oil produced the 
fat ; eggs gave an appearance of richness; starch was added to repre- 

Fig. 28. 




TEETH OF A GRAZING COW. 



sent the caseine or curd; all that was necessary in addition was 
water. Other equally deceptive imitations are made by diluting 
good, or swill milk, and adding yolks of eggs, sheep's brains, flour, 



90 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

subcarbonate of potash, and chalk. Although killing to small chil- 
dren, so much is not to be feared from these adulterations as from 
milk obtained from diseased animals. Cows are kept the year round 
in stables by many dairymen in cities, or adjacent thereto. By con- 
finement, if not by bad food, they become diseased, just as men and 
women do when shut in from open air and exercise. Their diseases, 
as a matter of course, render their milk unwholesome and innutri- 
tions. When, together with confinement, cows are fed on still slops, 
their milk becomes actually poisonous. Some hard stories are re- 
lated of New York dairymen, who, it is said, keep their cows closely 
tied up in sheds, and fed on still slops till they actually drop dead in 
their stalls. From the specimens of milk that I have seen in this 
city, and the dishonest character of many of those engaged in the 
milk traffic, I am not disposed to doubt their entire truthfulness. 

The shocking consequences of such speculative recklessness falls 
with particular severity on the juvenile portion of a metropolitan 
population, and it is sad to contemplate that the perversity of man 
can lead him to the perpetration of such wholesale slaughter of inno- 
cent babes, who, by reason of maternal disability, are denied the 
nourishment of a mother's breast. But the cupidity of the unprin- 
cipled money-seeker knows no limit, and the fact that such imposi- 
tions are practised, should lead the consumer to guard himself against 
them. 

Pure milk is not congenial to every one. In some, by its dilution 
of the gastric fluids of the stomach, together with the resistant action 
of its oily property, the generation of vital electricity is impeded and 
drowsiness induced. This is especially so in a case of bilious pre- 
disposition. In others, who are predisposed to catarrhal difficulties, 
the casei/ie of milk increases slime, and tends to aggravate the com- 
plaint. But with the majority of people, milk is a 'highly nutritious 
drink, and when copiously added to tea and coffee, often renders 
these beverages harmless to those who otherwise could not use 
them. 

Buttermilk may be used by many who cannot drink sweet milk. 
Most of its fatty matter has been removed by the churning process, 
and it possesses a great deal of lactic acid. In consequence of the 
presence of this acid, M. Robin, an eminent French chemist, recom- 
mends its use to keep the system free from clinkers. He says, "that 
the mineral matter which constitutes an ingredient in most of our 



THE LIQUIDS WK DRINK. 9[ 

food after the combustion, is left in our systems to incrust and stiffen 
the different parts of our body, and to render imperfect many of the 
vital processes. He compares human beings to furnaces which are 
always kindled ; life exists only in combustion, but the combustion 
which occurs in our bodies, like that which takes place in our chim- 
neys, leaves a detritus or residuum which is fatal to life." This, he 
claims, the free use of buttermilk will remove; but as everybody 
cannot get buttermilk, I will add that good ripe fruit, with no taint 
of decomposition, will effect the same result, and make a better sub- 
stitute for buttermilk for this purpose, than is usually concocted to 
represent sweet milk, for the purposes for which it is used. 

"Water is sometimes the cause of blood diseases. Not only does 
a considerable quantity pass through the system in some form, but 
much is retained temporarily, and its bulk fully replaced by the 
newly taken liquids when the old pass off. Nearly three-fourths 
of the weight of the living body consists of water. If good, pure 
spring water could be obtained in all parts of the world, it would be 
the healthiest drink for man. And so would it be, if nature were 
more bountiful in the distribution of such streams as the Croton, 
Cochituate, and Schuylkill of America ; and the dashing rivulets 
which play in the mountains of Switzerland. But when the thirst 
can only be quenched by the muddy and sewerage waters of the 
Ohio, the Mississippi, the Thames, and Seine, pregnant as they are 
with the filth of cities, the soap-suds of washerwomen, and the decom- 
posed matter of vegetables and dead animals, it is not strange that the 
vitality of the blood is impaired by their vegetable and animal 
exuviae. Many of the denizens of Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, 
New Orleans, London, and Paris, flatter themselves that their river 
waters, are wholesome ! But it is a proverbial fact that every traveller 
must have a dysentery, or something approaching thereto, on initia- 
ting his stomach into the use of them. Like an unwilling slave, the 
system can after awhile be whipped into submission, but it reposes 
only long enough to collect in the blood sufficient impurities to re- 
venge on the individual in the form of diarrhoea, or bilious, typhoid, 
intermittent, or yellow fever. Hence, together with bad diet, the 
frequency of these forms of disease in the cities mentioned. 

Some of the residents along the shores of these rivers are aware of 
the injurious properties of their waters, and resort to rain water. 



92 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

Unfortunately, they only " jump from the frying-pan into the fire." 
In the large cities designated, the air above is no cleaner than the 
streets beneath. It is the reservoir of the animal effluvia of crowded 
populations. The breath of thousands of diseased men and animals 
mingles with the rains as they descend, infecting them with their 
poisonous gases. I have no doubt that, in seasons of epidemics, the 
seeds of the prevailing diseases are often drank with water. Conse- 
quently, those who drink rain-water should first expose it for several 
days to light and air, and then to filtration. By these means it may 
be rendered wholesome, and better by far than the heterogeneous 

Fig. 29. 




nature's beverage on a frolic through the hills. 



compound of decayed vegetation, solution of dead horses and dogs, 
and the city slops, which flow in the channels of many rivers. 

The well-water of limestone countries is productive of gravel and 
kidney difficulties, and causes the hair to become prematurely gray, 



THE LIQUIDS WE DRINK. 93 

while in all new countries it is often rendered unwholesome from the 
drainage of decayed vegetation. The former is known by its hard- 
ness, and the latter by its peculiar odor, and frequent discoloration. 

In Virginia, not far from Fortress Monroe, are " Juniper swamps, 11 
and from these swamps the water is extensively taken for drinking 
purposes. The color is nearly that of pale brandy, and the odof 
strong of juniper. If the reader should sail up the James River some 
day. he may be offered a goblet of it, and if so, do not refuse it, as it 
is regarded as wholesome not only by those who have been long in the 
habit of using it, but by medical men who have given its qualities some 
investigation. If not impregnated with any thing more deleterious 
than the leaves and berries of the juniper, the water may be regarded 
as a good diuretic, and would materially benefit tourists from lime- 
stone regions, or those from any part of our country affected with 
urinary affections, or uterine obstructions. 

The United States are becoming noted for their mineral waters. 
The sulphur and other springs of Virginia, have been the resorts of 
the sick for many generations. The springs of Saratoga enjoy an 
enviable reputation not only in this country, but in Europe. New 
springs have been discovered in Vermont, also at Gettysburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. The springs of Avon are favorites with many, and there are 
other springs of more or less note in various parts of our country, all 
of which possess some merits as remedies for disease. The fact that 
they are medicinal, should lead to reasonable caution in their use. 
The visitors of these springs, generally seem to imagine that the more 
of these waters they can u worry down" in the course of a day, the 
more rapidly will they recover from some difficulty with which they 
are affected. With this excess, and in many cases the possible in- 
adaptation of a certain water to the constitutional peculiarities of tin 
patient, injuries instead of benefits are experienced. The advice of 
resident physicians should in ail cases be obtained, as their obser- 
vation in the use of these waters enables them to give directions 
which will the more likely insure success in their employment. 

It may be thought that I am inconsistent in thus speaking favorably 
of mineral waters, by those who have read my essay on vegetable 
medicines. In that place I denounce mineral medication, but every 
rule has its exceptions, and I cannot but make an exception in favor 
of these "emedies, "distilled as they are from the bowels of the 
earth by the hand of Omnipotence. " They are the preparation of 



94 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS- 



Fis. 30 



no human chemist, nor can the most astute pharmaceutist imitate 
them exactly. Mineral waters are manufactured, and some of them 
pretty good imitations, but as well might the artificial-flower maker 
essay to manufacture a natural rose-bud, with its rich colors and 
delightful fragrance, as for the chemist to attempt to prepare a per- 
fect imitation of any of our mineral springs. 

Water which has been standing long in one's room is unfit to drink. 
It has absorbed the perspired and respired gases, and the colder the 
water, the more completely has it effected this. The disinfectant 
qualities of water by the absorption of deleterious gases, are so well 
known to intelligent people, that many keep vessels of water stand- 
ing in their sitting or lodging rooms. Water which has remained all 

night in leaden pipes, becomes affected 
with the properties of the lead, and 
that which remains for a long time in 
a pump, with the impure gases of the 
atmosphere; and in both cases should 
be drawn off before any is taken for 
drinking purposes. Leaden pipes are 
chiefly used in cities, for conveying 
aqueduct water into the houses, and 
too much care cannot be taken, when 
no water has been drawn through the 
night, to avoid taking any that may 
have stood in the pipes during the 
interval. 

In summer, ice-water should be used 
with great caution, for if drank exces- 
sively, it causes irritations, and some- 
times fatal inflammations of the stom- 
ach and bowels. I am satisfied that 
would require the use of warm drinks in 
winter. It is undoubtedly owing to our 




"the old oaken bucket. 1 



correct habits in drinking, 
summer, and cold drinks in 
tendency to invert almost every hygienic rule, that it has become the 
custom everywhere to resort to cool drinks during hot weather, and 
to hot drinks in cold weather. The temperature of the water taken 
inside, as well as that applied outside, should, as a rule having of 
course its exceptions, be made to correspond with the -temperature 
of the atmosphere. Cold water should .nob be taken with the meaiS 



THE ATMOSPHERE YTE LIYE IN. 



95 



at all, for it chills the stomach, and retards, and sometimes arrests 
digestion. The colder the water, the more likely it is to do this. 

Brook streams which have the appearance of purity, are not always 
safe to drink from, in consequence of the possible presence of danger- 
ous animalcule ; many instances of frogs, evets, and worms, in the 
stomach have occurred in consequence of want of care in this partic- 
ular. Those having their sources or channels near marshes, frog- 
ponds, hog-pastures, cess-pools, distilleries, poultry-yards, slaughter- 
houses, and saw-mills, may with good reason be avoided. Pedes- 
trians, travellers, and sportsmen, when overtaken with thirst, should 
look for some farm-house, and regale themselves with a bowl of milk 
rather than suck in the waters of an unknown brook. Everywhere 
that good milk can be obtained, it may safely be regarded as the 
most wholesome aDd nutritious drink. 



Fig. 31. 



The Atmosphere we Live in. 

It is estimated that each individual takes into his lungs annually 
aoout 800 pounds of air, and if the reader has observed in the preced- 
ing essays the amount of food and drink 
consumed every year by one person, it will 
be discovered that the aggregate amount 
of air, liquid, and substantial food received 
per year, by only one member of the human 
family, amounts in the aggregate to about 
one and one-half tons. 

The value of the air in nourishing the 
human system may be in a measure appre- 
ciated, when we consider what it may do in 
promoting the growth of a tree. Read the 
following narrative of an experiment, and 
the comments of the narrator : ,; Two 
hundred pounds of earth were dried in an 
oven, and afterward put into a large 
earthen vessel ; the earth was then moistened with rain-water, and a 
willow-tree, weighing five pounds, was placed therein. During tho 
space of five years, the earth was carefully watered with rain-water 
or pure water. The willow grew and flourished, and to prevent the 
earth from being mixed with fresh earth, or being blown upon it by 
the winds, it was covered with a metal plate full of minute holes. 




OTJR PLA.NET, AND ITS SHI 
ROUNDING ATMOSPHERE. 



96 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

which would exclude all but air from getting access to the earth 
below it. After growing in the earth for five years, the tree was 
removed, and on being weighed, was found to have gained 16a 
pounds, as it now weighed 170 pounds, and this estimate did not 
Include the weight of the leaves, or dead branches, which in five 
years fell from the tree. Now came the application of a test. Was 
this all obtained from the earth ? It had not sensibly diminished, 
but in order to make the experiment conclusive, it was again dried 
in an oven and put in the balance. Astounding was the result ; the 
earth weighed only two ounces less than it did when the willow was 
planted in it! Yet, the tree had gained 165 pounds. Manifestly 
then, the wood thus gained in this space of time, was not obtained 
from the earth ; we are, therefore, compelled to repeat our question, 
4 where did the wood come from?' We are left with only two 
alternatives — the water with which it was refreshed, or the air in 
which it lived. It can be clearly shown that it was not due to thn 
water; we are consequently unable to resist the wonderful conclu- 
sion — it was derived from the air." 

If air can make a tree, it can make or unmake man, according to 
its quality, for the lungs of the former (its leaves) are not so per- 
fectly constructed for respiration as those of the latter ; nor is its 
bark so pervious to the air as the skin which envelops the human 
body ; and before the conclusion of this essay, I shall show to the 
reader that many derangements of the blood and nervous system 
arise from impure and unwholesome air. 

As my views with regard to the influence of air upon the human 
system are somewhat peculiar, and'a proper understanding of them 
necessary to aid the reader in readily comprehending many important 
points in subsequent pages of this work, I shall subserve both the 
purposes of this chapter, and many which are to follow, by a general 
treatise on the nature and effects of this wonderful element. Air is 
composed of 78 per cent, nitrogen, 21 per cent, oxygen, or electrici- 
ty, nearly 1 per cent, of carbonic acid gas, and more or less vapor 
of water, according to its temperature. I am not alone in believing 
that oxygen is identical, or nearly so, with electricity ; but if I were, 
my opinion would remain unchanged until some philosophical argu- 
ment could be adduced to show the contrary. The origin and real 
nature of both are unknown, but certain it is, their effects are similar, 
aud whatever difference is observable, may be occasioned by its com- 



THE ATMOSPHERE WE LITE IX. 97 

bination with other substances, for, according to generally received 
opinion^ " Nature never presents it solitary." Still this view of the 
subject is not vital to the theory I am about to advance, for it is now 
universally admitted by scientific men, that electricity permeates 
every thing — the air around and above us, as well as the earth 
beneath our feet. 

The quantity of electricity diffused in the air, exerts a potential 
influence on the health of man, and an excess of the element in the 
atmosphere is as injurious as a moiety. In dry and pleasant 
weather, the atmosphere usually possesses its normal share of elec- 
tricity, but in rainy weather, it contains too much, and this remark 
is made with a full knowledge of the views to the contrary of some 
modern scientists. A popular writer and lecturer has undertaken to 
prove that the atmosphere is usually more negative in damp, or wet 
weather, than when it is dry or pleasant, and that the reason smoke 
so often descends when the air is filled with mists and rain, is be- 
cause the smoke is positively charged with electricity, and the 
atmosphere, more negative than usual, attracts it, whereas usually, 
in dry weather, the air is positive, and repels it upon the well-known 
principle that two positives, or two negatives repel each other. 
Now, the generally accepted theory concerning the ascension and 
descension of smoke is, that it depends upon the density or rarity of 
the atmosphere. Smoke is composed of light carbonaceous particles 
and when the air is dry and dense, it naturally rises above it. When 
it is wet and rainy, the presence of so much hydrogen (the lightest 
of any known substance) renders the air lighter, and often so light 
as to cause the smoke to descend because of its greater weight. It 
is said in attempting to controvert this established theory, that smoke 
has been seen to fall when the barometer indicated more than half a 
degree above mean density; but this may have been owing to some 
local influence upon the barometer which did not affect the atmos- 
phere when the smoke was observed to descend ; or, it may have 
resulted from a defect in the instrument, or, still further, the smoke 
may have been influenced by local currents of air. But how is it 
proved that smoke is positively charged with electricity I The writer 
referred to says it is so " charged by combustion." How can this 
be, when smoke is only produced by fire in which combustion is in- 
complete? Let this question of smoke, however, "end in smoke," 
for it is not material, only in so far as its upward or downward 



98 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

movement is instanced to show the electrical condition of the atmos- 
phere. I believe it is not questioned that the air is more dense in 
dry than in wet weather, and it only remains for me to show that 
the atmosphere is more electrical on a wet day than it is on a dry one. 
To do this, it simply seems necessary to point to the effects observed 
upon telegraphic wires. It is only on cloudy, wet, or rainy days that 
telegraphic operators suffer much inconvenience from atmospheric 

Fig. 32. 




THE ELECTRICITY OF THE THUNDER-STORM. 

electricity, and when such weather prevails, they are sometimes 
knocked down by currents gathered from the atmosphere. Fre- 
quently they are compelled to suspend operations during a thunder- 
storm. Then, too, does not the lurid lightning, with its voice of 
thunder, often tell us of the greater presence of electricity when the 
sky is cloudy and the air loaded with vapor? Yictor Hugo, in 
describing an equinoctial storm, says :— " The magnetic intensity 



THE ATMOSPHERE WE LIVE IN. 99 

manifests itself by what might be called a fiery humor in the s&a. 
Fire issues from the waves ; electric air — phosphoric water. The 
sailors feel a strange lassitude. This time is particularly perilous for 
iron vessels ; their bulls are then liable to produce variations of the 
compass, leading them to destruction. The steamer Iowa perished 
from this cause.'' "When this undue presence of positive electricity 
exists, there are, undoubtedly, currents of negative electricity mov- 
ing about to some extent, and it is the approach of positive and nega- 
tive currents toward each other which causes the lightning flash, 
and the atmospheric concussion which conveys to the air the sound 
of thunder. But if the atmosphere, as a whole, were more negative, 
positive currents would not traverse the telegraphic wires, but 
would be absorbed or taken up instead of moving in accumulated 
bodies toward the operator's instruments; ana if the air near the 
earth's surface were all negative, and that far above it all positive, 
then would occur a constant equalization, or blending of the two 
opposite forces without the violent hurling of lightning balls, whose 
movements are observed and mutterings heard during a thunder- 
storm. 

I, therefore, repeat the proposition, that the air in dry and pleas- 
ant weather usually possesses the electrical element to a wholesome 
extent, while during wet and rainy weather, it contains an excess. 
When the weather is fair, the human system is relatively in a posi- 
tive, and the air in a negative condition : that is. the former pos- 
sesses more electricity than the latter. The result produced by this 
disparity between the body and the element which surrounds it, is 
a constant radiation from the former, or, in other words, a contin- 
ual flowing off of the electrical element into the atmosphere, as 
represented in Figure 33. It is well known to physiologists, 
that when the pores of the skin are in a healthy condition, there is 
an incessant discharge from the skin of what is termed insensible 
perspiration ; but nothing is said of the motive power by which 
the effete particles of the system are thus so wonderfully carried off. 
Xow. if a doctor should retire at night with his garden strewn with 
filth and rubbish, and on arising in the morning should find the 
whole mass emptied into the street, he would naturally enough in- 
quire who or what had removed it. Surely dead and waste matter 
could not remove itself. Strange ir is. then, that the astute profes- 
sors of anatomy and physiology have never thought to ask them* 



100 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 



selves how the corrupt particles of the system, day by day and 

life of man, are emptied into 
the great thoroughfare of life — 



year by year, during the natural 

Fig. 33. 



atmospheric air. The pores 
possess no power in themselves 
to throw them off, and if, by 
the act of contraction, they 
should succeed in expelling 
these impurities, with no mo- 
tive power to carry them away 
from the skin, the latter would 
daily become coated with the 
diseased exudations of the 
body. There are about seven 
millions of pores in the human 
body, and the quantity of use- 
less matter that is daily dis- 
charged from them amounts 
to from twenty to forty ounces. 
The reader can see, therefore, 
how soon the avenues of the 
skin would close up, were the 
discharge of effete matter pro- 
duced by merely a contracting 
process of the pores. Nature 
has manifestly employed a 
motive power, and this agent 
is the same which the mind of man uses in controlling his muscular 
organization, and the same, too, that the Almighty employs in moving 
and sustaining the planetary systems of innumerable worlds. 

Tt is found in cases of fever that the blood is overcharged with 
acid, and the fever is undoubtedly, in a measure, due to the presence 
of this. This excess may be easily explained. The excretions from 
the skin are acidulous, showing that electrical radiation, when active, 
relieves the blood and system generally, of all excessive acidulous 
accumulations, as well as waste matters. Buf when the pores of the 
skin are closed up by sudden exposure to cold, or taking cold, or the 
radiation is more sluggish by protracted wet weather, or a residence 
in a damp location, the acidulous and effete properties of the blood 




ELECTRICAL RADIATION. 



THE ATMOSPHERE WE LIVE IN. 101 

and tissues do not pass off sufficiently, and the system becomes 
A oaded with them, inducing fever or other inflammatory difficulties. 
Here we have physiological evidence of a too positive condition of 
the atmosphere in wet weather. The system, no longer electrically 
positive in its relation to the surrounding air, active, healthful radia- 
tion of electricity, with its loads of impurities, is partially or wholly 
suspended. It is under the influence of these conditions, that rheu- 
matic and neuralgic invalids complain of increased pain, because the 
damming up of the impurities of the system promotes the accretions 
of acrimonious particles of matter which attach themselves to the 
living tissue and inflame it. The application of galvanism, or elec- 
tricity, while this state of things existe, not only tends to detach the 
irritating particles from the parts to which they have adhered, but 
also has a tendency to throw the body into a positive condition, or 
in other words, to render it more electrified than the atmosphere, 
so that radiation of the impurities is partially resumed. !No one 
feels as well on a rainy day, or living in a damp location, excepting 
those whose electrical conditions are abnormal, or whose fluids 
radiate too much to the surface, leaving the mucous membranes dry. 
Such, of course, feel better when the air is moist, and more strongly 
electrical, while catarrhal invalids, or those having excessive mucous 
secretions of any kind, are made worse thereby. 

As a rule, having few exceptions, then, pleasant weather and dry 
locations are most conducive to health, because these conditions and 
circumstances promote the relative electrical condition between the 
body and its surrounding element, and are best calculated to keep 
healthfully active the electrical radiation which carries off the 
rubbish of those portions of the system not easily relieved by other 
depurating organs. 

For other reasons, the air is not as wholesome in wet as in dry 
weather. When the latter prevails, the density of the air causes a 
rapid passing off of earthy, vegetable, and animal impurities, which, 
owing to their vapory form, rise with such rapidity, as to scarcely 
affect the air we breathe. But when it rains, the air being lighter, 
the gases of decaying vegetation and animal effluvia (which are 
also light) mingle with the air we breathe. A popular writer, 
who has said a great many good things, erroneously remarks as fol- 
lows :— 

a The amount of exhalation and effluvia which rises from tli» j ground, 



102 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

depends much upon the atmospheric pressure. When the air is 
heavy, these substances are, as it were, confined to their sources, 
that is, they are liberated at the slowest rate ; but as the barometer 
falls, the pressure is taken off, and the miasmatic emanations rise 
much more rapidly." 

A more palpable error was never uttered. It is contrary to the 
laws of gravitation. Investigate it in any way you choose, and you 
will find it wrong. If you suppose the miasmatic emanations heavier 
than air, they remain near the ground in consequence of their own 
weight. Suppose them lighter, and it is impossible for them to be 
held down by the pressure of the air, for the latter will then settle 
down under them, and raise them tip. Whoever heard of putting a 
flat stone on water to hold it down ? No, the quotation is absurd, 
and contrary to fact. Miasmatic emanations are lighter than air on 
a clear day, and rapidly rise above the strata of air we breathe ; but 
on damp and wet days, when the air is also light, miasmatic emana- 
tions rise sluggishly, and mix with the air wo breathe. From this 
it appears that nature sometimes disturbs one of the chief elements 
of life, a fact which rather disproves the writings of some people 
who assert that there is no reason why a person may not live on 
earth forever, if he strictly observes the laws of life and health. It 
is well enough to say that few people live as long as they might, for 
that is true ; and I shall now proceed to treat upon matters relevant 
to this subject, which go to prove the fact. The atmospheric 
changes and conditions which we have thus far been contemplating, 
are not within the control of man. 

If pains were taken to preserve the purity of the air we breathe, 
so far as it is within our power, health would be promoted and lon- 
gevity increased. The venous blood which enters the lungs is in a 
negative state, and depends upon the oxygen or electricity of air 
to electrify it, remove its carbon, and perfect its arterialization. 
Hence, the air we inhale may contain its natural constituents in their 
due proportions, but that which we exhale contains almost the usual 
quantity of nitrogen, with eight or nine per cent, of its oxygen re- 
placed with an equal amount of carbonic acid. The stomach, in the 
digestion of food, cannot produce all the electricity which is neces- 
sary to move the animal machinery, and therefore the lungs, with 
their curious mechanism, receive the blood from the venous system, 
and expose it to the electrifying influence of the atmosphere. I may 



THE ATMOSPHERE WE LIVE IN. 103 

be asked why the blood is not like the body, electrically positive in 
relation to the air. I reply, that it is when it leaves the lungs chem- 
ically changed by its contact with oxygen ; but in passing through 
the arterial and capillary systems, it distributes its electrical proper- 
ties and returns through the venous system destitute of that element. 
Respiration is really governed by electrical laws in a measure, 
although mostly produced by the movements of the diaphragm, and 
contractions and relaxations of the walls of the air vesicles. Infla- 
tion is aided by the attraction the negative venous blood has for the 
electrical elements of the atmosphere, and exhalation, after the vesi- 
cles have expelled the air which has been used into the bronchial 
tubes, is aided by the attraction existing between the negative prop- 
erties of the latter and the more positive properties of the former. 

The lungs are very generous to the stomach. They keep up a 
necessary supply of electricity during the hours of sleep, when the 
digestive organs are permitted to take partial repose. Did ever the 
reader notice what long, deep inhalations a person takes while sleep- 
ing? While the stomach is enjoying rest, the lungs work their 
utmost to keep up a supply of vital electricity, and although they 
exhale the useless gases with the same rapidity that they do when 
the individual is awake, they draw in deeper and more copious 
draughts of the electrifying element. The stomach being on such 
amicable terms with the respiratory apparatus, and having made 
such excellent arrangements with it to aid in doing its work during 
the hours of partial repose (for the stomach never sleeps soundly), 
the reader can see how wrong it is for him to give his stomach a job 
of work to do on going to bed by eating a late supper, and that he 
has no right to complain if the digestive organs refuse to do the 
work, but allow the food to ferment, and fill his blood and brain 
with inflammation. When the stomach has such perfect confidence 
in the integrity and industry of the lungs, it is also wrong to oblige 
the latter to cheat the former by going to sleep in badly ventilated 
rooms, or where malaria exists, by which the blood becomes poisoned 
instead of arterialized, and the stomach finds its work not only 
undone, but itself disqualified in a measure to resume its labors. 
Eacts go to prove that there is a greater proneness to disease during 
sleep than in the waking state. In Turkey and Hindostan, if a per- 
son falls asleep in the neighborhood of a poppy field, over which the 
wind is blowing toward him, he is liable to " sleep the sleep which 



104 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

knows no waking." The peasants of Italy, who fall asleep in the 
neighborhood of the Pontine marshes, are invariably smitten with 
fever. Even travellers who pass the night in the Campagna du Roma 
invariably become more or less affected with the noxious air. Com- 
mercial men often conduct their business affairs in unwholesome 
locations in cities, but maintain a fair degree of health by having 
their residences, and sleeping, in healthful neighborhoods. The man 
whose business calls him into marshes and swamps during portions 
of the day, and sleeps upon the hill-top, may avoid chills and fever 
with which the inhabitants who lodge in proximity to those marshes 
are affected. 

The reason of this, after what has been said, must be obvious. 
The stomach battery having partially suspended operations in sleep, 
the lungs redouble their efforts to inhale the life-giving properties 
of the atmosphere. In malarious or unwholesome localities they 
unfortunately receive them most poisonously adulterated, and the 
various organs of the system, if not murdered in their slumbers, 
awaken to find themselves invaded by a destructive foe. An English 
traveller in Abyssinia has asserted that he could live in health in 
that sickly climate, by a proper selection of the situation where he 
slept every night. 

All this argues the deleterious effects of late suppers, as well as 
the necessity of well-ventilated and healthful sleeping apartments, 
and people who complain of ill health while they persist in the 
former, and take no pains to secure the latter, are as foolish as the 
boy who thrust his hand into hot embers and then cried because it 
was burned. Let those who sleep in small rooms, with windows and 
doors closed, remember that every individual breathes, on an average, 
from 13 to 20 times per minute, and inhales from 13 to 40 cubic 
inches of air at each inspiration. Now take, as a low estimate, the 
consumption of air at 20 inches, and the number of inspirations at 
15, and we find that in the space of one minute, 300 cubic inches of 
air are required for the respiration of one person, during which 24 
cubic inches of oxygen are absorbed by the blood, and the same 
amount of carbonic acid given out. Proceed with this estimate, and 
we find that in one hour, one pair of lungs have consumed 1,440 
cubic inches of oxygen, and in seven hours, the time usually allotted 
to sleep, 10,080 cubic inches of oxygen have been replaced with an 
equal quantity of carbonic acid. The deadly effects of the latter are 



THE ATMOSPHERE AVE LITE IX. 105 

illustrated by the fact that a canary bird, suspended near the top of 
a curtain bedstead where persons are sleeping, will almost inva- 
riably be found dead in the morning. It has further been demon- 
strated that when there is six per cent, of carbonic acid in the air, it 
is rendered unfit for the support of animal life, and half this propor- 
tion would put out the light of a candle. In view of these facts, 
how many churches, school- houses, places of amusement, factories, 
workshops, and dwelling-houses are but the nurseries of disease. 
Xor is it surprising that such a great majority of tombstones in our 
cemeteries are inscribed with ages below two score. 

Some physiological writers have said that scrofula is often produced 
by bad air. That it is rendered contagious through the medium of 
the air is certain, but I am hardly inclined to believe that the disease 
would directly arise from breathing the atmosphere of a crowded 
room unless there were persons in the apartment affected with it. 
Scrofula and all diseases are rendered, in a measure, contagious by the 
diseased animal vapors from the lungs and pores of persons affected 
with them. These vapors mingle with the natural ingredients of air 
in a confined room, and are conveyed to the blood of others through 
the respiratory apparatus, and hence, impure air may, in one sense, 
be said to produce Scrofula. Certain it is, that it will convey the 
disease to those not affected with it, if it is rendered impure by the 
presence of scrofulous persons. Every man and woman is constantly 
perspiring or radiating from the skin, and exhaling from the lungs, 
waste animal matter, and if a person is diseased, these vapors par- 
take of the nature of that disease, 

Inasmuch, then, as there are at least five diseased persons to every 
ten sound ones, in every community, the reader can see how liable 
he is to contract disease in a crowded lecture or show room, The 
best ventilation does not render us entirely safe, but improper ven- 
tilation makes the spread of disease positively certain. Prof. Fara- 
day gives his experience regarding the atmosphere of crowded rooms, 
as follows : — 

k> Air feels unpleasant in the breathing cavities, including the rnouth 
and nostrils, not merely from the absence of oxygen, the presence of 
carbonic acid, or the elevation of the temperature, hut from other 
causes depending on matters rommunicated to it from the human being. 
I think an individual may find a decided difference in his feelings 
when making part of a large companv, from what he does when one 
5* 



106 CAUPES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

of a small number of persons, and yet the thermometer give the 
same indication. When I am one of a large number of persons, I 
feel an oppressive sensation of closeness, notwithstanding the tem- 
perature may be about 60° or 65°, which I do not feel in a small com- 
pany at the same temperature, and which I cannot refer altogether 
to the absorption of oxygen, or the exhalation of carbonic acid, 
and probably depends upon the effluvia from the many present ; but 
with me it is much diminished by a lowering of the temperature 
and the sensations become more like those occurring in a small com- 
pany.' 1 

If mankind were generally aware of the effects of the diseased 
radiations and exhalations of invalids, popular lecturers and preach- 
ers, and favorite dramatists, and negro dancers, could hardly induce 
the convocation of the crowded audiences that they now do, and 
people would be as particular in the air they breathe, as in the water 
they drink. The use of stagnant waters could not be more deleteri- 
ous to the nervous and vascular systems than the inhalation and 
absorption of vitiated air. Still, most people are regardless of the 
latter, while they throw out with disgust a glass of water which has 
odor, sediment, or color. And how many fastidious men and women, 
would suffer almost any punishment rather than go in bathing in a 
bathing-house, crowded with all sorts of people as thick as they can 
stand or swim. They would consider the water unfit to enter, and so 
with reason they might think, but these same persons do not seem 
to imagine when in a crowded, and even odorous car, omnibus, or 
lecture-room, that they are in fact bathing in the same air with all the 
individuals they are crowded with, and not only that, but breathing 
it, too. Your clothing does not protect your skin from the effluvia 
passing off from the besotted and tobacco-saturated man who sits 
against you on one side, nor your veil from breathing the same air 
which has been inhaled and exhaled by the woman with decayed 
teeth, catarrh, and bad breath on the other side. Men returning 
from their business, and women from shopping, do not seem to realize 
that they bring home with them in their parlors some of the essential 
parts of men and women whom they would not allow to enter their 
back doors. This is no fling at poor people, but at those whose 
habits and dissipations have rendered them not only filthy, but dis- 
eased. It is. indeed, amusing sometimes to see how an aristocratic 
individual will turn his or her back upon, or leave a seat contiguous 



THE ATMOSPHERE WE LITE IN. 107 

to some plainly dressed person, though the latter be glowing with 
health, and seek contiguity with quite an opposite character, whose 
countenance bears every evidence of disease, but whose physical 
infirmities are almost concealed by the tailor, or dress-maker, and 
the perfumer. Better at any time seat yourself in public vehicles be- 
side men whose clothes are soiled with honest labor, but whose 
skins are red with the glow of health., or next to women in plain, cheap 
calico, with vivacity in their eyes, and sweetness in their breath, than 
to haughtily squeeze yourself between two well-dressed invalids. 
The former impart to you the magnetism of health, while the latter 
absorb your vital magnetism, and corrupt the air about you. By 
one, your stock in health is enriched : by the other, it is impover- 
ished. Fish swim in water — you swim in air : look out for its purity. 
And parents, have an eye to your children who rely upon your 
judgment and care. Horace Mann, alluding to ill- ventilated school- 
rooms, said — "To put children on a limited supply of fresh air is as 
foolish as it would have been for Xoah during the deluge to put his 
family on a short allowance of water. Since God has poured out an 
atmosphere of fifty miles deep, it is enough to make a miser weep to 
see our children stinted in breathing." 

As for the great body of animal effluvia poured into the atmosphere 
by our numerous and sickly human family, nature has provided a 
neutralize!-. The electrical scintillations which are often observed 
on warm evenings, and the more powerful currents which rend the 
atmosphere during a thunder-storm, produce an element called ozone, 
and this neutralizes those properties in the atmosphere, the accumu- 
lation of which in time would destroy animal life. All have observed 
how refreshing the air is after a thunder-storm. Xot only has the air 
returned to a healthful electrical condition, but it has become per- 
meated with vitalizing ozone. A few hours before it was stagnant 
and debilitating : your skin was relaxed and gluey to the touch ; you 
felt languid and spiritless, but now you feel as refreshed as a child 
from a bath. This change has been produced by ozone. If the air 
be deprived of it for a great length of time, sickness becomes prev- 
alent, particularly that which is characterized by fevers ; and epi- 
demics, if present, rage with fearful fatality. Thus when nature has 
provided an element for disinfecting the great body of the atmos- 
phere which surrounds our planet, and arresting the spread of pesti- 
lence, each individual should put forth some personal effort to pre- 



108 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

serve the purity of the air which immediately surrounds himself, and 
to protect the helpless and inexperienced from unnecessary exposure 
to diseased effluvia and poisonous miasma. 

The introduction of stoves for heat has heen as injurious to health 
as it has been universal. Air to be healthful must possess a certain 
amount of moisture (which is more electrical than dry air), to pre- 
vent a too copious radiation of the electrical elements and fluids of 
the body. The effect of stove heat, as every one knows, is to render 
the atmosphere dry. But if this were the only objection to the use 
of stoves, some means might be devised to overcome it. Says Pro- 
fessor Youmans : a While in point of economy stoves are most advan- 
tageous sources of heat, yet in their effects upon the air they are 
perhaps the worst. We saAV that in the stoves called air-tight, the 
burning is carried on in such a way that peculiar gaseous products 
are generated. These are liable to leak through the crevices and 
joinings into the room. Carbonic oxide gas is formed under these 
circumstances, and recent experiments have shown that it is a much 
more deadly poison than carbonic acid. A slow, half-smothered 
burning of these stoves requires a feeble draught which does not 
favor the rapid removal of injurious fumes. Besides, carbonic acid be- 
ing about half as heavy again as common air, must be heated 250 de- 
grees above the surrounding medium to become equally light, and still 
higher before it will ascend the pipe or flue. If the combustion of the 
fuel is not vivid, and the draught brisk, there will be regurgitation of 
this gaseous poison into the apartments." The same writer continues: 
" Probably all stoves, from their improper fittings, are liable to this 
bad result. Hot-air furnaces also have the same defect. They are cast 
in many pieces, and however perfect the joinings may be at first, 
they cannot long be kept air tight in consequence of the unequal 
contraction and expansion of the different parts under great alterna- 
tions of heat. Combustion products are hence liable to mingle with 
the stream of air sent into the room." Dr. Ure also remarks : u I 
have recently performed some careful experiments upon this subject, 
and find that when the fuel is burning so slowly as not to heat the iron 
surface above 250°, or 300°, there is a constant deflux of carbonic 
acid into the roomy From recent experiments of French savants, 
it appears that cast-iron stoves are more injurious to the health 
than those made of sheet or wrought iron. They say that under a 
certain degree of heat, cast-iron is rendered porous, or at least per- 



THE ATMOSPHERE WE LITE IN. 



109 



TT ious to the passage and absorption of gases. They think the y have 
been able to state the quantity of oxide of carbon which may tran- 
sude from a given surface of metal, and have shown that the air 
which surrounds a stove of cast-iron is greatly impregnated with 
hydrogen and oxide of carbon. They also say that these cast-iron 
stoves absorb oxygen, thereby taking up the vital elements of the 
air at the same moment they are poisoning it by exhaling deleterious 
gases. M. Deville, at one of the sittings of the Academy of Sciences 
of Paris, warmly supported this view. In his lecture-room at the 

Fig. 34. 




YE OLD-FASHIONED FIRE-PLACE IN YE OLDEN TIME. 



Sorbonne, he had placed two electric bells, which were set in motion 
as soon as hydrogen, or oxide of carbon was diffused in the room. 
During his last lecture, the two cast-iron stoves had scarcely been 
lighted when the bells began to ring. The credit is due to M. Caret, 



HO CAUSES OF NERYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

one of the physicians of the Hotel Dien of Chambery, for first calling 
attention to this matter. The more lately introduced arrangements 
for heating houses by steam are open to less objection than any 
other modern improvement. They produce a less dry warmth, and 
the pipes conveying the steam through the various rooms of the 
building, are not the conductors of unwholesome gases. 

To warm an apartment, there is nothing really like the old- 
fashioned fire-place, and all who have ever had the felicity of warm- 
ing themselves before it, will join with me in this assertion. The 
author of this work spent his juvenile winter evenings before the 
light and heat of this ancient device for keeping the shins warm. A 
fire on the hearth does not heat the air, but as a writer truly re- 
marks, " the heat rays dart through it to warm any object upon 
which they may fall." The same writer continues : " The sun passes 
his floods of light through the atmosphere, without warming it a 
particle. Air is made to be breathed, and we again discover Provi- 
dential wisdom in the arrangement by which the sun warms us, 
without disturbing in the slightest degree the respiratory medium. 
But if we heat the air itself, we at once destroy the natural equilib- 
rium of its composition, and so change its properties, that it becomes 
more or less unpleasant and prejudicial to health." 

Large, open grates for burning coal, are a very good substitute for 
fire-places, and should take the place of stoves, not only in dwell- 
ings, but in churches, theatres, and show-rooms, where the animal 
effluvia of a crowded assembly are sufficient to render the air vitiat- 
ed, without the further addition of stove or furnace heat ; but if 
economy will not sanction this, then let steam be introduced through 
iron pipes, so arranged as to distribute heat equally in every part of 
the building, and not make a volcano of fire in the basement to 
emit ashes and gases as well as scorched air in the apartments 
above. 

Too much care cannot be taken for the maintenance of the natural 
purity of air. School- houses, churches, theatres, dwellings, and fac- 
tories, should be daily aired, in cold as well as hot weather. The 
permanency of impure air in a close building, is forcibly illustrated 
in a recent account given in the American Medical Gazette, of the 
vault of the old cathedral church of Bremen. Hundreds of years 
ago, when the old church was built, the plumbers occupied the vault 
for melting and preparing materials for the roof, and since that time 



THE ATMOSPHERE WE LIVE IN. m 

its atmosphere has possessed the peculiar property of preserving 
from decay all bodies placed therein. That paper remarks : — 

'" Visitors are shown eight human bodies, besides a number of cats, 
dogs, monkeys, birds, &c, all of which, by mere exposure to this 
atmosphere, have become dried and free from all offensive effluvia; 
-esembling in appearance coarse parchment. 

" The body nearest the door is that of an English major, said to 
have lain there one hundred and eighteen years. 

"The second, that of a German student, who lost his life in a duel. 
The hard, dry flesh, still shows the sabre wounds on his throat and 
arm. His body has been here one hundred and seventy years. 

"The third, that of a Swedish countess, whose body has re- 
mained free from the lot of common mortals for one hundred and 
forty years. 

u The fourth, that of a Swedish general, who was killed in the 
u Thirty Years' War," and whose throat still exhibits the mark of 
the wound of which he died. 

" The fifth is that of his aid-de-camp, who lost his life at the same 
time, by a cannon-ball striking him in the side. The destruction of 
the parts is plainly visible. 

" The sixth is that of a workingman, who fell from the steeple 
of the church when near its completion — four hundred years ago — 
and broke his neck. Owing to this accident, the peculiar properties 
of the vault became known ; for the body of the deceased workman 
was laid in this vault for a few days, and, having evinced no signs of 
decomposition, the singularities of the fact induced the authorities 
to permit it to remain, and here it has remained during all that 
time. 

" The seventh is the body of an English lady, who died one hundred 
and thirty years since of a cancer on the lower jaw; the ravages 
of disease are still perceptible in the ulcerated flesh. 

u The eighth is the body of a working-man. who has lain here for 
sixty years. 

"In a marble sarcophagus, standing in the middle of the vault, 
are said to repose the mortal remains of the Swedish Chancellor, 
Van Englebrechten ; but they are not permitted to be exposed 
to public view, on account of some still surviving relative of the 
family. 

''Each of these bodies retains to a great degree the appearance 



112 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

peculiar to itself in life. Thus, the Swedish general was a short, 
round-faced man, inclined to corpulency ; his aid-de-camp was a slen- 
der, well-proportioned man, in the prime of life. As in general 
appearance, so also in facial expression, do these bodies differ ; the 
parchment-like skin, though drawn tightly over the bones, still 
shows something of the manner in which the muscles beneath once 
worked. 

" No other part of the church possesses this peculiar atmosphere, 
and we can only suppose that the entire chamber became so sur- 
charged with lead, that it has continued ever since to give forth 
vapors, which, forming an antiseptic chemical compound of lead, 
have operated upon the cadavera exposed to its influence." 

Now this condition of the air is well enough for dead bodies, but 
baneful enough to live ones. Mechanics who work in metal can see 
from this, how prolific of diseases their workshops may become by 
being daily and nightly closed, as they frequently are in winter. 
There can be no doubt, too, that churches, closed up as they gener- 
ally are, at the end of every Sabbath, retain a great deal of the dis- 
eased emanations of unhealthy visitors, which cannot be removed 
by a day's airing toward the end of the week when the sextons 
usually sweep and ventilate the buildings. Churches should, there- 
fore, be aired immediately after, as well as just before the day for 
services, and an airing every day would be still better. 

Those who are struck down by the hand of disease and marvel at 
the cause of their afflictions, because, perhaps, they have been regu- 
lar in their habits of eating, drinking, and sleeping, may find in this 
essay a solution of the secret. That it may have a happy effect upon 
mechanics who build houses; upholsterers who furnish them; ser- 
vants and housewives who have the care of them ; the artisan in the 
workshop ; the pale-faced woman in the cotton factory ; the hotel 
keeper who entertains lodgers ; the conductors of railways ; the par- 
son ; the sexton ; the dancer ; street commissioners ; the frequent 
visitors of cemeteries; and the mothers of young families, is the hope 
of the author. 

The Clothes we Wear. 

The human being comes into the world very rudely. He not only 
disregards the prevailing styles of dress, but unblushingly presents 



THE CLOTHES WE WEAR. j/jo 

himself with no drapery whatever. Nature persistently adheres to 
her vanity, and believes that "Nature unadorned is adorned the 
most," and consistently therewith thrusts Fig. 35. 

both male and female babies into the v 

world without clothing. This is very im- ^^^^^ V ^^ 

modest on the part of old dame Nature, /f*^' ^% 

but as she is a very old-fashioned jade, j^fcaaf^jft I *w$toF!\ 

and has more good sense than popular w K^^S^^ ^S^S^t^ 

refinement, everybody puts up with her ipf|||| B ||lf|y 

pranks in this respect, and the young :v\ Sfir 

mother who would run from a stranger, jMy, H^ 

well enveloped in a clean night-gown, ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
does not attempt to run away from the s "zr T^? ^ 
little stranger who comes to her without 

n l n THE CLOTHES WE WEAR. 

even a ng-leat. 

There is, however, quite a display of haste to wash the baby and 
dress it. If the poor little thing could be dressed comfortably, there 
would be no reason to complain of the proceeding, but mamma or 
the nurse has some extravagant notions as to beauty of figure, and 
instead of baby-clothes being put on to conform to the anatomical 
developments of the infant, it is expected that these will be made to 
conform to the notions of proud mamma, who calculates her baby 
shall be as pretty as anybody's. If the baby happens to be of the 
feminine gender, it is especially unfortunate in this respect, as well 
as in all others through life. It must have a small waist, whether 
made so or not, and its baby-clothes must be so pinned as to favor 
this conformation of figure. So, too, when the infant has grown to 
girlhood, her dresses must be made fashionably, and her body, by 
means of lacing, and other inventions, crowded into them, and she 
becomes so gradually accustomed to tight-fitting garments about the 
waist, that when she arrives at womanhood, nobody can make her 
believe she dresses too tightly. One obstacle which every sensible 
physician has to contend with, is to convince his female patients 
that they dress too closely about the waist. If he have the bold- 
ness to thrust his fingers under the belt or waistband, she has the 
presence of mind to suddenly exhaust the air from her lungs, and 
then insist that "it is not too tight, Doctor." Many women are 
honest in believing that they do not dress too closely, simply be- 
cause thev have become so thoromrhlv used to it. Had they never 



114 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

been dressed un wholesomely in babyhood, and through succeeding 
years to adult age, and then the same dresses they are now wearing 
be put upon them, they would beg as piteously to be released, as if 
crushed beneath the ruins of a fallen building. A fractious husband 
could not be more inhumanly punished, than to be sentenced to 
wear for one week his waistcoat as closely fitted to his body as his 
wife habitually wears the waists of her dresses. It is something it 
seems almost superfluous to assure the reader, that tight clothes of 
every description are injurious. Knit shirts, knit drawers, tight 
stockings, tight garters, tight boots, close-fitting vests and waists, 
tight night-dresses, tight shoes, tight hats and caps, all tend to ob- 
struct the circulation of the blood, and also the electrical radiation 
which carries off the impurities of the system ; and females suffer 
other injuries from compressing the waist, which will be pre- 
sented in another essay, where the evils of tight lacing will be 
referred to. 

So long have the habits of close dressing been pursued, a very 
large proportion of the men and women of civilized countries may 
be said to be "hide-bound ;" that is, the pores of the skin have be- 
come closed and gummed up by the exhalations of the skin, which 
have not been permitted to pass off freely and naturally. 

It is perfectly astounding how fashion has knocked out the brains 
of people in regard to dress. When we consider that there is not 
any thing in the world so comfortable as comfort, is it not surprising 
that men and women will attire themselves with little or no regard 
to comfort during their conscious hours? Only when about to get 
into bed, and enter upon a season of obliviousness to all earthly woes, 
do they put on garments that admit of a fair degree of physical hap- 
piness; and how many fashionable women rush frantically to their 
chambers when they escape from society at the close of day, to 
relieve themselves of their uncomfortable costumes. If the "man in 
the moon " should be permitted to descend to this planet, entirely 
ignorant of the follies of the people of earth, it would be hard to 
make him believe that these discomforts were self-inflicted. Except 
for the fact the Divine mandates are seldom so religiously obeyed, he 
would imagine this self-torture to be decreed by Jehovah. Then the 
amount of fabric required for clothing a fashionable woman of civil- 
ization is truly appalling to herself if she is self-supporting, or other- 
wise to a husband, or father, of slender -means. Some one has 



THE CLOTHES WE WEAR. 11 5 

suggested that the quickest way to make a fortune is to marry a 
fashionable young lady, and sell her clothes! 

Look for a moment, too, at the bigotry of Fashion. Here sits an 
intelligent lady reading with surprise of the Chinese. The traveller 
in the narrative tells her that they wear tightly fitting wooden shoes 
to make their feet small and pretty ! If she be of a sympathetic turn 
of mind, she is horrified, and "pities the poor things," and if she be 
mirthful, she laughs outright at the ridiculousness of the thing. But 
how about the Chinawoman; may she not be equally surprised, hor- 
rified, or amused, when she reads of this very same lady who has been 
dressed tightly about the w r aist from infancy, to give her what is 
called, a pretty figure ? May be ! Flora McFlimsy laughs at the idea 
that some women in barbarism wear rings in their noses, but in the 
very act of doing so shakes the glittering jewelry which hangs pend- 
ant from her own ears ! It is said that, " a letter written more 
than thirty years ago, by Eev. Dr. Jackson, on the Vanity of Heathen 
Women, cited the fact as proof of their heathenish customs that the' 
Karen women wore fancifully constructed bags, inclosing the hair, 
which they suspended from the back of their heads." Yet, this iden- 
tical fashion, regarded by Dr. Jackson as one of the peculiarities of 
heathenism, was subsequently adopted by a majority of the women 
in civilized countries, and poetically called " The Waterfall ! " Our 
aristocratic lady thinks the Indian squaw acts absurdly when she 
tattooes her skin to gratify the rude tastes of her w r arrior lover ; but 
she does not hesitate to use paint and powder on her own face, and 
sometimes lavishly. The Hindoo women used to (and perhaps now 
do) paint their eyelids, and the cuticle around the eyes within a 
given boundary, with lampblack, much to the disgust of travellers in 
their country ; but you may often see in Central Park, fashionable 
women w T ith pencilled eyebrows, blackened eyelashes, and dark lines 
drawn under their eyes, to impart (as they think) brilliancy to the 
eyes! Much of this criticism I admit, does not apply to dress, 
but it does to the toilet, and it is presented here for the purpose of 
making the fair reader more tolerant of other, and perhaps more 
sensible people's tastes. 

Thousands of sensible women would adopt what is called tha 
" American," or " Bloomer Costume," were it not for the bigotry of 
fashion. They do not feel strong enough to face the ridicule of 
those who make themselves more ridiculous by trailing long dresses, 



116 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

It is a pity that women who are conscious of the comfort, and greater 
healthfulness of the reformed costume, cannot be more independent, 
and those who are not, more tolerant. It is a pity that men who 
originally practised an act of robbery on women by usurping a com- 
fortable style of dress, should not encourage the latter in reforming 
their costume. Perhaps the reader does not know that the women 
formerly u wore the breeches." A young Belgian writer — Miss 
Webber, has demonstrated that "the nether garment was first worn 
in a bifurcated form by the women of ancient Judah, — that the claim 
which man so pertinaciously maintains to the use of this garment, is 
purely arbitrary, without a solitary argument to support it — not even 
that of prior possession." As late as the 15th century, the petticoat 
was worn by both sexes. A gallant piece of strategy indeed for man 
to have caused the women of ancient times to allow them to adopt 
their comfortable costume, and then pass and enforce laws to arrest 
every woman caught in the street dressed in what they fraudulently 
call " male attire ! " After having thus usurped the breeches, men 
(too many of them) are not willing to compromise with the origi- 
nators of this most comfortable style of dress, and allow them to 
wear short skirts and loose pantaloons. 

Progress often comes in very unexpected ways, and the dress 
reform movement, after sleeping a quarter of a century, is being 
revived by numerous organized bodies of women who seek eman- 
cipation from all hindrances to their normal development and useful 
activity in the family, in business, in society, in affairs of the State 
— and in sport. Probably the most important impulse toward dress 
reform in the closing years of the 19th century is the remarkable 
spread of the "bicycle fever," and the comfort of special costumes. 

The health of women, too, demands reform in dress. The close-fit- 
ting waist and long skirt should give way to loose tunics, short skirts, 
and what are sometimes called Turkish pantaloons. I have already 
presented some objections to the close-fitting waist, and shall present 
others in another place. The physiological objections to long skirts 
may be briefly stated as follows: — they interfere with the free mo- 
tion of the limbs, and make the exercise of walking exhaustive. 
Nervous force is absolutely wasted in the effort, and weakly or 
sickly women are thereby discouraged from attempting to move 
about to any extent, or sufficiently to preserve what little muscular 
strength they possess. Long skirts hang too heavily from the waist, 



THE CLOTHES WE WEAR. 



117 



and generally with no support from the shoulders. They encourage 
women in dressing the limbs too scantily, rendering them more 
subject to cold extremities, and to attacks of cold. Dr. Harriet M. 

Fig. 3d. 




AMELIA BLOOMER, IN HER ORIGINAL COSTUME OF 1851, CONTRASTED 
WITH THE MODERN BLOOMERS OP 1895. 

Austin, speaking on this point, very truly remarks, that * ' one of the 
great physiological sins of women is, that they cover the extremi- 
ties of i he body so poorly, that the circulation has to be maintained 



11 8 CAUSES OF NERYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

at an immense waste of life. If the body is well clad over the whole 
surface, the limbs being dressed as warmly as the other parts, the 
external circulation is kept up with comparative ease, the blood 
passing through the capillary vessels readily; but when any part of 
the surface is inadequately covered, the blood has to be forced along 
at a disadvantage, and there is an unnecessary strain upon the vital 
energies. Neither men nor women, as a general thing, have any 
conception of the ill health which accrues to women from lack of 
sufficient clothing. Thousands and thousands of women go through 
life without ever being comfortably warm in the winter." 

A female contributor to the "Herald of Health," gives her expe- 
rience in regard to dress, in the following forcible language: — " In 
the customary dress of skirts and hoops, I am at once transferred to 
a state of the most thorough incapacity for all practical or sensible 
purposes ; my spirit and ambition become as effectually snuffed out 
as a candle with a pair of snuffers; I have no power, either aggress- 
ive or defensive ; am unable to resist the cold weather even, and 
feel like curling myself down by the parlor register in a state of the 
most approved flexible vapidity. But in the other dress, ambition, 
health, and spirits, are in the ascendant. Impossibilities become pos- 
sibilities. I feel capable of meeting and conquering every difficulty 
that presents itself. Could face a northeast storm if necessary, and 
run ten miles — in fact, rather feel inclined to do it without the neces j 
sity. In short, inactivity in this dress is as impossible as activity in 
the other. There are, no doubt, hundreds of women in every city, 
who would send forth the most grateful thanksgiving ever uttered, 
could this dress be the prevailing one. But the great obstacle in the 
way is the fear of being conspicuous, of being the target of all eyes 
and all remarks, of being alone in it. Could these hundreds be 
united, and adopt the dress at the same time, it would remove the 
difficulty. Of all reform dresses, I think the poorest is the one with 
full skirt, reaching nearly to the ankle. It has neither the merit of 
good taste nor convenience. Skirts and pants do not harmonize. 
It will be found, in time, that every thing that does not meet the 
wants of the proprieties and conveniencies of life, violates the laws 
of good taste. Dangling skirts always do this, although partially 
abbreviated in length. The partially abbreviated one is more 
out of taste than the full length ! Pants and skirts can never be 
made to chime. A sack, reaching only to the knees, and pants d 



THE CLOTHES WE WEAR. 119 

la Turc, or a la Americaine, according to the taste, will be found 
the better dress, both as to good looks and convenience." 

At the World's Convention of the Women's Christian Temperance 
Union, held in London in 1895, an organization whose branches ex- 
tend throughout the civilized world, the well-known president, 
Frances Willard, in her great address, did not overlook the question 
of dress reform. She said: 

"One thing is certain, when women come to themselves out of 
the dream and inanition of ages; when it is demonstrated to them, 
as it will be, that they are simply machines for the exploitation of 
silk, woollen and cotton mills, without the slightest regard to their 
comfort or the real beauty of their garments ; when they have 
studied physiology and hygiene long enough to know that by their 
senseless and criminal manner of girding themselves about with 
tight corsets and bodices, wearing weights and false hair on their 
heads, cramping their feet and exposing their lower limbs insuf- 
ficiently clad to the vicissitudes of climate; when they are intelligent 
enough to see. and alive enough to feel the degradation of sweep- 
ing all the microbes and filth of the pavement with their long skirts 
it is safe to say there will be such another revolt from the prevailing 
methods of feminine attire as will prove, in right down earnest, that 
women have developed a future race worthy to live in that better 
world that we are now engaged in manufacturing here below." 

Artistic ideals now require both beauty and fitness in dress, and 
the coming reform costumes promise better to fulfil both demands 
than the earlier inventions in Bloomers, as in daily evidence among 
lady bicycle riders. Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton says that the 
women are riding to freedom on a bicycle. It may be only a wave 
of progress, but it is moving things on farther than they will be 
likely to recede when the wave subsides. 

It is a great pity that we go to Paris for our fashions. . It were 
better for the health of our women if we imported them from China, 
or from Japan, or from Persia. To reform, however, we need not 
copy them. Some of their styles of dress would not answer for our 
climate. We ought to be able to devise fashions ourselves, suited to 
our physical wants, and not go to Paris. Let our American women 
set the Parisians an example, which, when physiological knowl- 
edge becomes more general, their better sense may compel them 
to adopt. 



120 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

Much has been said for and against low-necked dresses. In the 
early days of Pennsylvania, the law-makers took the subject in hand, 
and enacted — " that if any white female, of ten years or upward, 
should appear in any public street, lane, highway, church, court- 
house, tavern, ball-room, theatre, or any other place of public resort, 
with naked shoulders (*. e. low-necked dresses), being able to purchase 
necessary clothing, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not less than one, 
or more than two hundred dollars." It was, however, gracious- 
ly provided, that women of questionable character, might go with 
bare shoulders, as a badge of distinction between the chaste and un- 
chaste. It is astonishing how men are always interfering with 
women's attire by legislative enactment. Will the women retaliate 
when they have the ballot, and the law-making power ? The style 
of dress prohibited by the early "Pennamites," is now fashionable at 
balls and parties even in Pennsylvania. 

If both men and women could be induced to l<?t the neck go un- 
dressed at all times, there would be less throat and pulmonary dis- 
ease. The evil lies in sometimes dressing the neck warmly, and at 
others not at all. For instance, during the winter our fashionable 
women not only commonly wear high-necked dresses, but in addition 
thereto, fur capes and tippets. But you will meet the less sensible 
of them at some social gathering, with either no neck-dress at all, or 
with one made of some fabric of transparent texture. If they escape 
a cold after such exposure, it is altogether a miracle. It would be 
greatly to the advantage of people of botli sexes, if they would 
toughen the neck like the face by exposure. But this can only be 
done by throwing aside all neck-dress at all times, both out as well 
as in doors. The fur capes of the women, and the fur and woollen 
tippets of the men, are a fruitful source of bronchial and throat diffi- 
culties. Many a disease of this kind may be cured by simply leaving 
off neck dresses. When considerable care is exercised, colds are 
contracted by tender throats and necks, made so by fur and woollen. 
When a lady or gentlemen enters the house, furs and tippets are laid 
aside, often when the temperature is colder in-doors with them off, 
than out of doors with them on. It is next to an impossibility to 
so manage such neck-dresses as to escape injury in consequence of 
this fact. Especially imprudent is it to put furs and woollens on the 
necks of children. It is actually ''killing them with kindness." 
They are not, and cannot always be under the eye of an attendant, 



THE CLOTHES VTE TVEAR. 



121 



and their little necks, made sensitive by such warm dressing, are 
affected in a moment by some unexpected exposure. They may 



Fig. 37. 




LOOSE-FITTING GARMENTS OP A JAPANESE FAMILY. 

even go out at times without their tippets, though carefully watch- 
ed, and then mamma has no idea how Charley or Ida contracted 
those horrid colds. Would it not be well for those having the care 
6 



122 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

of children, and who arc so careful to muffle them up when they go 
out, to give this matter a little serious reflection, and ask themselves 
when they have done the little folks all up so securely, whether they 
have any guaranty that they will return in the same condition. If 
not, are you not prepared to acknowledge with me that all this 
muffling is attended with injury, rather than benefit? You often 
wonder why the children of the poor do not more often die in winter 
from their exposure to the cold ; but the cold seldom kills indigent 
children. Badly ventilated rooms in winter, and bad food in sum- 
mer, make the mortality of this class greater; but they do not suffer 
with those coughs and colds, bronchial difficulties and snuffles, which 
affect the children of the rich. 

We might learn something from our antipodes in the way of dress- 
ing loosely. On the previous page is illustrated the free and airy 
clothing of the Japanese. There is looseness enough for freedom of 
motion and circulation of air about the skin and a chance for elec- 
trical radiation to go on unobstructedly. There is not much weight 
to such clothing, and what there is, drapes from the shoulders. It 
is not well adapted to our colder climate and to the diversified em- 
ployments of our women ; but the lesson of comfort and hygiene is 
there, and we can adopt something of the principle if not the style. 

Dr. Frank Hamilton has made a fling at the costume of the men 
of America, which I shall quote here, for the criticism is worthy of 
consideration. He says: " We have adopted as a national costume- 
broadcloth — a thin, tight-fitting, black suit of broadcloth. To 
foreigners, we seem always to be in mourning ; we travel in black, 
write in black, and we work in black. The priest, the lawyer, the 
doctor, the literary man, the mechanic, and even the city laborer, 
chooses always the same unvarying, monotonous, black broadcloth ; 
a style and material which ought not to have been adopted out of 
the drawing-room, or the pulpit ; because it is a feeble and expen- 
sive fabric; because it is, at the North, no suitable protection 
against the cold, nor is it any more suitable at the South. It is too 
thin to be warm in the winter, and too black to be cool in the sum- 
mer ; but especially we object to it because the wearer is always afraid 
of soiling it by exposure. Young men will not play ball, or pitch 
quoits, or wrestle, or tumble, or do any other similar thing, lest their 
broadcloth should be offended. They will not go out into the storm, 
because the broadcloth will lose its lustre if rain falls upon it. They 



THE CLOTHES WE WEAtt. 123 

will not run, because they have no confidence in the strength of the 
broadcloth ; they dare not mount a horse, or leap a fence, because 
broadcloth, as everybody knows, is so faithless. So these young 
men, and these older merchants, mechanics, and all, learn to walk, 
talk, and think soberly and carefully; they seldom venture to laugh 
to the full extent of their sides." 

The invention and adoption of knit shirts and drawers have done 
much to destroy the purity of the blood, and the harmonious action of 
vital electricity. The use of flannel as an article of under dress, in 
changeable climates, is certainly commendable. But to obtain 
the benefit whicli wearers usually seek, i. e., health and comfort, 
such garments must be made loose, and changed often. Red flannel, 
too, is better than white. There is something in the chemical quali- 
ties of the red coloring matter that seems to act healthfully, when 
worn next to the skin. People of a rheumatic tendency are greatly 
protected from attacks of rheumatic pains by the wearing of red 
flannel. Those who are susceptible to colds, are less liable to take 
one when red flannel is worn. 

Knit shirts of whatever color usually set closely to the skin, and 
often draw so tightly around the chest as to prevent a free action of 
the lungs. I have had occasion to examine consumptive invalids 
who were hastening decline by wearing flannel shirts so closely fitted 
to them, that india rubber could not have been much more objection- 
able. When worn so closely to the skin, these garments tend to gum 
up the pores by pressing back upon them their effete exhalations. 
Flannel shirts should therefore be made up from the cloth, and loose 
enough to admit a free circulation of air between them and the skin. 
It is well to wear two, each twenty-four hours, laying ofT at night 
the one worn through the day, and laying off in the morning the 
one which has been worn during the night, so that the exhalations 
and impurities which may have been absorbed by the flannel, can 
have an opportunity to pass off. 

In this connection I would not omit to warn invalids against the 
use of plasters. Almost daily am I consulted by those who have 
been in the habit of wearing them more or less for years. u But,'' 
says one, "they are recommended by my physician." Shame ou 
your physician ! If he knows the offices of the pores of the skin, 
lie is guilty of willful malpractice: if he does not, he ought not to be 
your physician. I know that by thus speaking I shall incur the 



124 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

maledictions of the "regulars," and not a few of those who call 
themselves "reformers," but what do I care — I have them already. 
There are said to be nearly three thousand pores in every square inch 
of the human body, and there are from seven to ten square inches in 
an ordinary sized plaster. Now think, for one moment, of the effects 
which must ultimately ensue from plastering up twenty to thirty 
thousand of those useful little orifices through which the electrical 
radiations of the system carry off the noxious and waste matter of 
the blood. True, you feel a temporary suspension of pain, but do 
you not know that skillfully prepared embrocations will produce this 
happy result as well, while they allow the machinery of nature to 
go on uninterruptedly? When an invalid comes to me plastered up 
from the top of his neck to the extremity of his spine, I am inva- 
riably reminded of the way in which some South Americans kill 
prisoners. It is at Monte Video, I believe, that they sew them up 
in a wet hide, leaving only the head and neck exposed to the vital- 
izing influences of the atmosphere. When the hide becomes dry it 
sticks just about as close as a "pitch plaster," and the unfortunate 
victim dies a slow, but excruciating death. Why, " Mr. Doctors" 
(as the Germans sometimes call the members of our profession), do 
you not know that the pores are of as much importance to the human 
system as the safety-valves to the steam-engine? The pores are 
actually safety-valves to the animal machinery, and the Divine archi- 
tect has not made one more than is necessary. Do not, then, delude 
the suffering victim to disease, who has already more noxious and 
health-destroying matter in his system than he can carry, with the 
hope that a plaster can be of any possible benefit to him. If he has 
pains and you cannot cure them with unexceptionable remedies, pass 
him over to some of your brethren who can. " There is a balm in 
Gilead, and a physician there." 

In speaking of the office of the pores, a writer remarks that the 
" Infinite care of the Creator is seen nowhere more conspicuously than 
in the admirable provision made for the removal of the waste matters 
from the system, the form in which they are expelled, and the prompt 
and certain means by which nature is ready to make them inoffensive 
and innoxious. The skin is not only, as Bichat eloquently observes, a 
sensitive limit placed on the boundaries of man's soul with which 
external forms constantly come in contact to establish the connections 
of his animal life, and thus bind his existence to all that surrounds 



THE CLOTHES WE WEAR. 125 

hiin ; it is at the same time, throughout its whole extent, densely 
crowded with pores through which the waste substances of the sys- 
tem momentarily escape in an insensible and inoffensive form, to be 
at once dissolved, and lost in the air, if this result be allowed. It is 
not by the natural and necessary working of the vital machinery 
that the air is poisoned, but by its artificial confinement, and the 
accumulation of deleterious substances. If evil results, man alone is 
responsible." 

Overcoats made of the skins of buffaloes are extremely warm in 
cold climates in winter, and rubber coats are protective in all climates 
in rainy weather, but garments of both descriptions are unhealth- 
ful, because their texture is of such a nature as to prevent the escape 
of the insensible perspiration. They are most undoubtedly comforta- 
ble for a day, but their injurious effects, may last for a lifetime. For 
the same reason, india rubber, and patent-leather boots and shoes 
are objectionable. Those who wear either are not unaware of the 
excessive moisture of the feet when dressed with rubber or patent- 
leather, and that moisture is simply the dammed up waste fluids 
which have not been permitted to escape unobstructedly as nature 
intended. There are times and seasons when it may be the least of 
two evils to put on rubber sandals or boots in stepping out, but when 
such emergencies do arise the feet should be relieved of them as soon 
as possible after re-entering the house. Thick-soled leather boots 
and shoes are usually sufficient for any weather. The addition of a 
coating of oily blacking does not prevent the feet 
within them from perspiring naturally, or the ex- 
halations from passing off freely, and at the same 
time does most effectually keep out water. Pat- 
ent-leather is altogether worn for ornamentation, 
and not from any seeming necessity. The physi- 
ologist should, therefore, unqualifiedly denounce 
it as possessing no merit of utility, while it does 
possess the demerit of doing injury to the feet of 
the wearer. Rubber, patent-leather, close-fitting 
and insufficient dressings for the feet are in many 
instances the causes of colds, paralytic affections ™J™ E ™7 T N ' 
of the extremities, corns, bunions, etc. 

Men usually dress their feet more sensibly than women do. A 
lady, writing for the Home Journal, presents a criticism upon 




126 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

this fact, and exclaims : " Look at their feet ! You don't see one 
in a hundred venture forth in damp, chilly weather with a thin- 
soled cloth boot. No ! They wear boots with thick soles and high 
heels : while, on the other hand, you will not see one woman in a 
thousand who, when the rain is not pouring, but when the pavement 
is only damp and cold, wears any thing thicker than a single-soled 
prunella gaiter ! If you doubt my assertion, go look for yourself at 
thousands who walk in our crowded cities. Why is there such a 
difference? Is it that women are inferior to men in possession of 
good common sense ; or is it they dress in this absurd manner to 
please the eye of man ? If so, he must bear some of the blame, if, 
instead of boldly condemning their folly, he encourages them by 
admiring the beauty of feet dressed in this manner. Let fair women 
dress as they please in their warm houses, or in warm, dry weather, 
but for pity's sake, in cold weather, let them find something warm- 
er than a boot which a strong, healthy man would not consider suf- 
ficient protection for himself from the dews of summer." There is 
a healthy reform in progress among women, having reference to the 
clothing of the feet, and the writer quoted is a little too sweeping in 
her assertion, when she says that not one woman in a thousand 
exhibits good sense in dressing her feet for damp and cold weather. 
But her complaint is well put, barring the extravagance of the state- 
ment. It is to be hoped that it will every year grow less applicable 
to women everywhere. When the public becomes sufficiently awak- 
ened upon subjects relating to physical health, no covering for a 
lady's foot will look so beautiful as a thick-soled shoe or boot. 

Second-hand clothing is a medium through which many an aristo- 
cratic disease is conveyed to poor people. A wealthy invalid who 
gives his coat to a poor man bestows no blessing. No man can wear 
a garment for one w T eek without imparting to it a portion of himself, 
and if he be diseased his garment is also diseased. A dog will recog- 
nize his master's clothes by the smell, and I have seen those whose 
clothes anybody with less acute olfactories could recognize by their 
odor. There is a perfectly sinrple and philosophical solution of this 
phenomenon. The electrical radiation of the impurities of the sys- 
tem, commonly known as insensible perspiration, enters the minutest 
threads of the cloth, and an old coat and pair of pants contain many 
ounces of waste animal-matter from the body of the wearer. Bring 
these in contact with the absorbing pores, and a person is at once 



THE CLOTHES WE TTEAR. 127 

inoculated to a certain degree with the noxious matter contained 
in them. Syphilitic and other venereal diseases are frequently trans- 
mitted in this way, and other complaints, probably quite as often, 
only the latter are not as immediately detected as the former. 

Persons should never wear their deceased relatives' clothes, unless 
they consist of articles which can be thoroughly washed, and then it 
is doubtful if they can be entirely cleansed of the diseased radiations 
which must have taken place weeks and perhaps months prior to the 
last sickness of the wearer. Although individuals of robust consti- 
tution often appear well till thrown at once on a bed of sickness, 
there are unhealthy conditions of the system which always precede 
acute attacks, and render the clothing unfit for the use of others. 

Those, however, who are not disposed to be influenced by the 
objections herein presented, should have such clothing thoroughly 
scoured by the clothes-cleaner. 

Shoddy clothes which are manufactured of people's old clothes, 
cast-off blankets, old carpets, worn-out stockings, flannels, tailors 1 
scraps, etc., are liable to impart disease to the wearer. The process 
they pass through in the factory undoubtedly disinfects them to some 
extent, but there are some rags that no chemical agents can disinfect, 
and these may get upon the backs of the wearers of shoddy. Both 
in England, and in this country, shoddy is extensively manufactured. 
In this State alone there are six shoddy factories. Over fifty million 
pounds of woollen rags are annually made into shoddy in England. 
Now who supposes when there is such a demand for woollen rags, 
that small-pox, ship-fever, cholera, yellow fever, syphilis, and scrofula, 
can be kept out of shoddy? The great trouble is to detect this kind 
of cloth before it is worn ; after it is worn awhile, the collection of 
short woollen rolls between it and the lining, betrays the character 
of the fabric. AVe need inspectors of rags. Will not our humane 
legislators protect us? If Ave must wear shoddy without knowing 
it, let us have its manufacture so looked after that we shall not wear 
on our backs any thing worse than the old stockings, under- garments, 
and blankets of invalids who have died of ordinary, non-contagious 
diseases, and of the old coats and trousers of decent living people. 

Some philosophers and reformers have recommended a return to 
the fashion which the God of nature introduced before the fall of 
Adam, i. e. nudity. According to an account given in the Dublin 
Evening Mail, the experiment of ascertaining whether clothing can 



128 CAUSES OF NEHYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

be dispensed with, is actually being tried on a child in Ireland. That 
paper remarks as follows : — 

" The subject of the costume of the ancient Britons has often been 
discussed ; it has been asserted that they were naked. Those who 
opposed that view, adduced as reasons the coldness and variable 
nature of the climate. The question has been set at rest by an ex- 
periment which has recently been made on a child at St. Anne's, 
Blarney, near Cork. The child is 14 months old, and is the son of 

Mr. , who determined to ascertain what the human frame would 

bear. The child is perfectly naked night and day; he sleeps without 
any covering, in a room with the thermometer at 38 degrees; from 
this he goes into a bath 118 degrees; he sometimes goes to sleep in 
the bath ; he is perfectly indifferent to heat or cold, is lively, active, 
cheerful, and intelligent ; his appearance constantly reminds the 
observer of the best efforts of our best painters and sculptors. 
Therein is the lean ideal ; he is the reality. His simple, natural, 
easy, graceful, and ever-varying postures are charming. He arrests 
the attention and commands the admiration of all who see him. 
The peculiar character of his skin is very striking; it is exquisitely 
healthy and beautiful. It may be compared to the rays of the sun 
streaming through a painted window. 

" During the progress of the experiment he has cut three teeth 
without manifesting any of the disagreeable symptoms usual to 
children in that condition. He appears to be quite insensible to pain. 
Occasionally he has an ugly fall, but not a sound escapes from his lips. 
His manners, demeanor, and general behavior are equally striking. 
His mode of saluting a person is to take the hand in a graceful 
manner and kiss it. He is under the complete control of his father, 
and is perfectly quiet during meals, and also whenever he is told to 
be so. He goes about all day amusing and occupying himself in a 
quiet way. No one accustomed to children would know there was 
a child in the house. So incredible are these results that some of 
the residents of St. Anne's regard the whole matter with mingled 
feelings of horror, amazement, and wonder. He has two meals — 
generally boiled rice, which is put on a napkin on the ground, and 
he picks it up to the last grain. After that, wheaten flour cake with 
butter, and a cup of milk which he drinks. While eating his rice he 
looks a different being ; there is at once a pride and an enjoyment 
of performance. He has the air of an orator addressing an audience. 



THE CLOTHES TTE WEAR, 129 

" During the day he goes to sleep when he likes, merely lying 
down on the floor. The attitude he assumes in sleeping is that of a 
Mussulman making prostrations — on his knees with his hands spread 
out before him, which could not be if he suffered from fatigue ; but 
his muscles are too hard for that. By this means he concentrates 
the caloric in his stomach, and so it is indifferent to cold : however 
cold, the limbs (and they get frightfully cold to the touch) are never 
numb, being, on the contrary, mottled red : the loins are always 
warm. The problem he presents physiologically is this ; a develop- 
ment of the nerves producing pleasurable sensations, and a corre- 
sponding deadening of those of the contrary. The intensity of the 
enjoyment which he derives from contact with the skin, is only 
equalled by the insensibility of the flesh. TTe have never known 
him since his exposure to extreme cold to cry from pain." 

This appears like a cruel experiment, but I question whether that 
parent inflicts as much suffering on his child as the majority of parents 
do on their children by loading their little bodies with unnecessary, 
and too close-fitting raiment ; and. I further question, whether this 
child in a state of nudity may not grow up with a far better and 
healthier physical organization than will any of his little mates in 
clothes. The experiment, so far, is really a triumph, and after all, 
only proves what physiology, deeply studied, teaches. It is quite a 
mistaken notion that a great amount of clothing is necessary for 
comfort and health in cold weather. The ancient Spartans, who 
were distinguished for their physical power and beauty, were 
allowed but scanty clothing in childhood, even in the depths of win- 
ter. Our extreme sensitiveness to changes from heat to cold, is 
merely the result of tenderness induced by long habits of pernicious 
dress. 

In conclusion, I would say, that if costume is indispensable, there 
are three rules to be observed to secure that which is healthful, viz. : 
First, cover no more of the body than the dictates of common mod- 
esty require, and let the covering be equally distributed. Second, let 
the clothes be made of entirely new material, and of such as will 
allow the uninterrupted egress of the bodily impurities, and the 
ingress of the vitalizing properties of the air. Third, mantua-makers 
and tailors must make clothing to han_ .bout the body, and 

sLoemakers must be instructed to make the outer dressings of the 
feet with thick soles and easy uppers. When men and women becomt- 
0* 



130 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

wise enough to observe these, the adoption of the more primitive 
style of our first parents will appear less called for. 



Fig. 39. 




THE LITTLE BAREFOOTED 
OANDY- EATER. 



Bad Habits of Children and Youth. 

Many of the blood and nervous derangements of adult age are but 
harvests of seed sown in childhood and youth. To begin with, the 
dietetic habits of children are entirely 
wrong. Indulgent mothers are mainly to 
blame for this. Many mothers imagine 
that they are greatly strengthening the lit- 
tle bodies of their babies by giving them 
the juices of animal flesh in the form of 
soup or broth, before they have teeth to 
masticate the flesh itself, and as soon as 
the masticating organs are developed, they 
are allowed the diet of an adult. Often, 
too, they are allowed stimulating drinks, 
such as tea and coffee, and in some cases 
even wine. Then, what lots of candy the 
little ones make way with from one Christ- 
mas-day to another. Colored candy eating is a habit in which many 
parents indulge children to an extent calling loudly for the warning 
of the faithful physician. The innocent darlings are almost ready 
to bound out of their shoes, when papa or mamma brings home from 
the confectioner a sweet little package of beautifully striped, red, 
blue, green, and yellow sugar-plums ; of course they are, for they have 
the most implicit confidence in their dear parents, and know they 
will not give them any thing which will injure them ! But parents 
may not know that there are fatal poisons concealed in the pretty 
spiral streaks which ornament the confectionery ; papas are so 
absorbed in business and mammas in fictitious literature, it is a 
chance if either of them ever find it out. So long as no immediate 
fatalities occur to the little creatures, it is supposed that such indul- 
gences are harmless. As in excessive meat-eating, and other bad 
habits, nature does not cry out at once, and as a consequence physi- 
cal injury therefrom is not dreamed of. But ignorance does not 
.shield the juvenile or adult from the deadly consequences of per- 
nicious habits, which gradually undermine the constitution and in- 
duce premature decay. 



BAD HABITS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH 131 

In former editions of this work this page was filled mainly with 
quotations from Hassell, telling of the injurious adulterations and 
minerals employed in coloring candies, but times change, and with 
them the tricks of all trades. New discoveries of organic dyes have 
been made which make it easy to manufacture candies in various 
attractive colors without resorting to salts of lead, antimony, cop- 
per, etc. Therefore the official or authoritative criticisms in refer- 
ence to candies have necessarily been modified. The U. S. Depart- 
ment of Agriculture has a division of chemistry under the direction 
of Prof. H. W. "Wiley, that looks after food adulteration and issues 
reports thereon. In the last report, for 1892, Part VI. relates to sugar, 
molasses, syrup, confections, and honey, and contains an account 
of the investigations of nine chemists residing in the largest cities of 
North, South, East, and West. They purchased the cheapest grades 
of candy to examine, and though true sugar was often found to the 
extent of only one half, the other ingredients were not really ob- 
jectionable, being mainly glucose, starch, and flour; and no mineral 
coloring matters were detected — only a trace, now and then, of 
copper from vessels in which candies are made. The colors are gen- 
erally aniline dyes or coal-tar products, used in so very small 
an amount that it is doubtful if any harm can come from them. 

Whatever may have been the sins of candy makers, evidently 
science has made possible progress and reform in the art of manu- 
facture in this line as well as in so many other directions, so that 
now it is perhaps easier to do right than wrong. As to the adultera- 
tion with starch and flour, or even glucose, it is extremely doubtful 
if any injury to the eater can arise from them. The objection to 
candy-eating now is reduced to the one fact that excess of sweets 
tends to derange digestion, and favors a process of fermentation 
which may bring about a very troublesome disorder of all digestive 
processes. Not only is normal digestion of all proper food in the 
stomach and intestines interfered with by the ferment set up by 
candy-eating, but the liver functions also become greatly disturbed, 
and even the kidneys may be found casting off the excess of sugar 
in the urine, which is not a proper task to impose upon them. Di- 
rectly and indirectly, the effect upon the teeth of children is unfa- 
vorable, and when general nutrition of the body has become 
impaired, as it often does, from the candy habit, the way has been 
paved for the onset of quite a variety of chronic diseases. 



132 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 



" Too much of a good thing is good for nothing," or even worse, 
is a rule that applies pretty generally to the human organism, and 
in nothing more surely than in excessive use of sweets. They are 
natural foods, in a way, but in candies too concentrated. Nature 
furnishes them diluted for our use in form of fruit juices, and gen- 
erally with some acid. When we extract the sugar from cane or 
beets, we are liable, if tempted by a " sweet tooth," to use more of 
it than is good for us, and the most likely victims of this appetite 
and habit are children. 

As to the starch and flour adulterations, no harm can be charged 
against them, since they are more normal foods than sugar, and less 
injurious, bulk for bulk. With reference to glucose there is a dif- 
ference of opinion, but the writer strongly favors the view that glu- 
cose, as an ingredient of candies, can do no more harm than sugar; 
and even when used largely, as it is in compounding syrups and 
bottled honey, it is about as innocent as any of their components. 
I have perhaps said all that is necessary about candy-eating ; but 
the evils of meat-eating and coffee-drinking by children have been but 
Fig. 40. briefly alluded to in this place. These habits 

are such a prolific cause of sickness among the 
infantile portion of our community, I would 
urgently direct the attention of mothers to 
what I have to say on this subject in the chap- 
ter on the Prevention of Disease, where I 
speak of dietetics for young and old. 

At school children acquire many injurious 
habits, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 40. 
The effect of this posture is to cramp the lungs, 
thereby preventing the usual quantity of elec- 
trifying air from coming in contact with and 
arterializing the venous blood. It also curves 
the spine, the great nervous trunk, and in a 
measure interrupts the harmonious distribu- 
tion of the nervo-electric fluid. Hence, both 
blood and nervous derangements are induced 
thereby. Parents and teachers are not partic- 
ular enough in observing and criticising the posture of the school- 
boy. Many a case of spinal disease and pulmonary consumption had 




HAD POSITION IN SITTING. 



BAD HABITS OF CHILDREN AND YOTTTH 133 

its origin on the bench of the school-room. Seats should always 
be provided with suitable backs for the support of the spine, and chil- 
dren should be required to maintain a correct posture. 

A great error is generally committed by parents in sending their 
children to school at an age so tender that the development of the 
mental faculties seriously interferes with the vigorous formation of 
fyheir physical parts. A child of three or four years of age, seated 
on a bench in school, is no more in his place than a twelve years' old 
boy would be on the judge's bench in a court of chancery. What 
does he care about letters or syllables? What he learns is not the 
result of a gratification of a thirst for knowledge, but of a severe and 
health-destroying discipline, which effects a forced growth of the 
mind at the expense of the body. The vital nervo-electric forces, 
withheld from the generous development of the chest, the vital 
organs, and the muscles, are consumed in nourishing and enlarging 
the brain. In art, mankind exhibit common sense. The master 
builder, who is about to decorate his grounds with a superb edifice, first 
lays a strong and perhaps inelegant foundation, upon which to raise 
the monument of his superior skill in architecture. So the parent, 
who wishes his child to occupy a commanding and useful position 
in society, when he shall have arrived at the stature of manhood, 
should take pains to secure for him a physical foundation which can 
firmly sustain the mental superstructure. To this end children 
should be kept out of school, and allowed to dig play-houses in the 
sand, play horse with strings, jump ropes, and roll hoops, until their 
little limbs become hard and chests broad, and, too, until they 
evince some desire for study. If this desire is manifested before 
the age of five or six, it should not be encouraged. The first six, and 
even ten, years of boyhood are none too long to prepare the physical 
trunk for the nourishment of mental growth. We once had in the 
United States Senate a man who was taught his alphabet by his wife 
after marriage. We have had, at least, two Presidents of the United 
States who hardly saw the inside of a school-room before they be- 
came old enough to work and pay for their own education. Nor are 
these isolated instances of final rapid mental progress of early neg- 
lected minds, after the bodies which nourished them had gained both 
strength and maturity. History is embellished with them. The 
great Patrick Henry was, mentally, a dull boy, and hated books, but 
when the flowers of his mental garden, enriched by the nutriment 



134 CAUSES OF NERYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

of a strong and matured physical organization, did bloom, the whole 
country was intoxicated by their fragrance, inspiring the American 
patriots with an enthusiasm which naught but success could satiate. 
In the face of such facts, let not parents make intellectual prodigieV 
and physical wrecks of their children. If they have the germ of 
greatness in them, there is no danger but it will become developed 
by the time society, the state, and the nation have need of them. 

Going " barefoot, 1 ' a very common practice among the children of 
the indigent in cities, and those of all classes in the country, is a 
common cause of blood diseases. In large towns the streets and gut- 
ters are the receptacles of filth of every description, a partial speci- 
fication of which would embrace the diseased expectorations of men 
and animals, dead carcasses of flies, cockroaches, rats, and mice, killed 
by poison, poisonous chemicals and acids swept from drug stores and 
medical laboratories, filthy rags which have been used in dressing 
foul ulcers, mucus from syphilitic sores, etc., the bare touch of which 
is polluting. But when, as is almost daily the case, the barefooted 
urchin " stubs his toes " against a projecting stone, rupturing the 
skin, and then brings his bleeding feet in contact with this hetero- 
geneous compound of mineral, vegetable, and animal poisons, the 
blood is sure to receive an impure inoculation which, unless eradi- 
cated by vegetable medication, clings to the individual through life, 
rendering him ever a susceptible subject for epidemics, colds, and 
chronic diseases. In villages, although less exposed to corrupt ani- 
mal inoculations, barefooted children are liable to have the purity of 
their blood contaminated by contact with poisonous plants, which 
abound in oountry places. And merely a thoughtless gallop through 
stubble fields, where wheat or oats have been harvested, may impart 
to the blood of the barefooted child a humor which is sooner or later 
to cause his death. Because serious effects do not manifest them- 
selves immediately, many parents flatter themselves that the practice 
is not attended with bad results. But blood impurities are generally 
insidious, and produce disease when it is least expected. 

The following remarkable case of poisoning, by a bone, will serve 
to illustrate the danger of going barefoot. I will quote from a lady 
who wrote me upon the subject of her ill health. This is her narra- 
tive: "Up to my ninth year I was in perfect health, with the free 
use of every sense and faculty. At that time I stepped on a bone 



BAD HABITS OF CHILDREN" AND YOUTH. 135 

while playing in the door-yard. It pierced the foot, but so slightly 
as to cause but little blood to flow. The hollow of the foot was the 
place injured, but no swelling or soreness ensued, excepting that it 
hurt me inwardly to walk on it. The third or fourth day a high 
fever made its appearance, and the tongue and lips commenced swell- 
ing rapidly. The throat swelled outwardly until nearly even with 
my chin, attended also with soreness inside. The poison went 
through my entire system, breaking out on my legs in large sores, 
which discharged freely. Disease seemed to affect alarmingly the 
whole inside of my mouth, physicians taking from my nose with 
instruments two large pieces w^hich seemed like softened bone. 
Discharges from nose and ears were very free for months, and I 
became almost deaf for a year, mind almost destroyed, memory 
entirely gone, playmates, playthings, prayers, and every thing, all to 
be learned anew. Seemed to be nearly idiotic, laughing so long and 
loudly at the striking of the clock that the striking had to be stopped. 
During this sickness, which lasted nine weeks, I received no medi- 
cine, being unable to swallow any thing, only that which was forced 
down my mouth and throat with a feather. Death was hourly ex- 
pected, often thought to be very near. My teeth all hung loose, my 
hands being tied to prevent me from taking them out. My tongue 
hung far out of my mouth, and that which remained in was so swollen 
as to nearly fill my whole mouth. You don't know how much I 
suffer in writing this terrible experience, and I will say no more." 
This bone was undoubtedly from some animal most thoroughly 
diseased, and this case may be presented as an extraordinary one. 
But milder poisons are received into the system by this same contact 
of bare feet with poisonous substances without producing such 
marked effects, and the sufferer does not think to attribute the diffi- 
culties with which he is contending to such a cause. 

I do not believe God ever intended that every child should pass 
through the retinue of diseases which is considered the lot of child- 
hood. All tender mothers appear to think that their children must 
have the mumps, hooping-cough, measles, and scarlet fever, and the 
sooner the u darlings " have them the better. Now is it reasonable 
to suppose that human nature requires these diseases as settlers, the 
same as coffee requires eggs or cod-fish skin ? If children are brought 
up properly, they may escape all these diseases. What, with stimu- 
lating animal diet, poisoned confectionery, bare feet, and so forth, by 



136 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

which the vital fluids of the system become rivers of death, can be 
expected but nursery diseases ! Corrupt Hood is that which renders 
the child a ready victim to a whole train of juvenile ills. 

A habit which is considerably prevalent in almost every family, of 
allowing children to sleep with elder persons has ruined the nervous 
vivacity and physical energy of many a promising child. Those 
having dear old friends, whose lives they would like to perpetuate at 
the sacrifice of their innocent offspring, alone should encourage this 
evil ; but every parent who loves his child, and wishes to preserve to 
him a sound nervous system, with which to buffet successfully the 
cares, sorrows, and labors of life, must see to it, that his nervous 
vitality is not absorbed by some diseased or aged relative. 

Children, compared with adults, are electrically in a positive con- 
dition. The rapid changes which are going on in their little bodies 
abundantly generate, and as extensively work up, vital nervo-electric 
forces. But when, by contact for long nights with elder and negative 
persons, the vitalizing electricity of their tender organization is given 
off, they soon pine, grow pale, languid, and dull, while their bed 
companions feel a corresponding invigoration. King David, the 
Psalmist, knew the effects of this practice, and when he became old 
got young women to sleep with him that his days might be lengthened. 
Dr. Hufeland, the German physiologist, attributes the frequent longev- 
ity of schoolmasters to their daily association with young persons. 

Invalid mothers often prolong their existence by daily contact with 
their children. I once knew a woman who, by weak lungs and 
mineral doctors, had been prostrated with incurable consumption. 
Her infant occupied the same bed with her almost constantly day 
and night. The mother lingered for months on the verge of the 
grave, her demise being hourly expected. Still she lingered on, 
daily disproving the predictions of her medical attendants. The 
child, meanwhile, pined without any apparent disease. Its once fat 
little cheeks fell away with singular rapidity, till every bone in its 
face was visible. Finally, it had imparted to the mother its last 
spark of vitality, and simultaneously both died. I saw it recently 
stated in a newspaper that a man in Massachusetts had lived forty- 
one days without eating any thing, during which period he had 
been nourished altogether by a little cold water, and " by the influ- 
ences absorbed by him while daily holding the hand of his wife." 



BAD HABITS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH 137 

Many old men who marry young wives are aware of the nourish- 
ing effects of such unequal unions, and are not such " old fools " as 
many pronounce them, while the young women who become their 
wives are bigger u young fools" than they are ever reputed to be. 
Some old ladies, tenacious of life, and wickedly regardless of the 
welfare of others, often coax children or compel their servants to 
sleep with them. Parents, therefore, who feel that affectional devo- 
tion to their children which is usually instinctive, should exercise 
vigilance and protect their offspring from a robbery which can never 
be repaired. Great care should also be taken to have diseased and 
healthy children sleep in separate beds. Although the effect of put- 
ting them together is favorable to the former, it is attended some- 
times with fatal and, nearly always, injurious results to the latter. It 
is better in raising a family of children to preserve in health a rugged 
child, even if its puny brothers and sisters die, than to distribute his 
full measure of vitality among half a dozen, and thus place him on a 
debilitated level with the whole. If, however, there be only one or 
two sickly ones in a large family of children, it may be an act of 
mercy to put them with the healthy group, for if the stock of health 
held by the rugged young members is fally average, they may bring 
the weakly ones up to their standard of health without perceptibly 
lowering their own. A group of vigorous children may also bring 
in from their out of door plays a surplus of vitality, which they may 
beneficially impart to a brother or sister confined to the sick-room. 
But in any family, unless a stock of health predominates among the 
children, the sickly ones will bring the more rugged ones down to 
fheir physical level unless parents exercise great care. 

Masturbation, or self-pollution, is a prevalent vice among both 
children and youth. The amative passions prematurely developed 
by stimulating diet, importune gratification which cannot be granted 
in the manner prescribed by nature, because marriage is an institu- 
tion fitted only for adults. Ignorant of the physiological effects of 
resorting to artificial means, and goaded to desperation by the peru- 
sal of popular romances, the unsophisticated youth falls an easy 
victim to a habit which taps the very fountains of nervo- vitality, 
and drains from the blood all its purest and most strengthening 
qualities. It has always seemed surprising to me how many parents 
allow their tables and book-shelves to become loaded with yellow- 



138 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

covered, or equally pernicious literature, while they carefully ex- 
clude ever} r book which treats on physiological matters. If Mr. 
Beelzebub should write out a prescription for the destruction of 
young men and women, and in its punctuation use a grave for a 
period, its adoption could prove no more fatal than has the prescrip- 
tion of civilization. Am I asked what this is ? Then I will tell you. 
In utero-life, before the child lias breathed the atmosphere of 
this world, the treatment begins. Excessive venery between the 
parents imparts to the unborn child a too great preponderance of 
the animal organs. After its birth, this excess continues, and, 
through the milk which it sucks from its mother's breast, these 
organs derive immoderate nourishment. Before the natural fount- 
ains are dried up, animal broths are introduced into its active little 
stomach, and ere it reaches the age of three years, it daily gluts 
itself with the diet of a full-grown man. Coffee and steak for a three 
years old child ! Next, it is taught to read, and at the age of ten or 
fourteen years, while it feeds its stomach with highly seasoned meats 
and drinks, it quenches its mental appetite with fictitious romances. 
Is it strange then, that masturbation is a prevalent vice ? Some may 
think it is not. This only proves lack of opportunities for observation, 
and want of ability to detect its effects upon those given to it. Five 
children in every ten over twelve years of age bear the marks which 
this disgusting vice stamps on the countenances of its victims. Chil- 
dren of both sexes are included in this estimate, although the evil 
is not so prevalent with girls as with boys. Should I speak of boys 
only, I would say seven of every ten were addicted more or less to 
it. The fatal consequences of masturbation are painfully apparent 
to every physician having a large professional correspondence, or an 
extensive practice in those diseases termed chronic. The habit acts 
slowly, but powerfully, in destroying the harmony of the nervous 
system, vitiating the blood, producing, ultimately, a great variety of 
diseases, according to the idiosyncracies of its slaves, but more com- 
monly, consumption, mental depression, and insanity. I am daily 
written to by invalids in all parts of the country, who freely con- 
fess the cause which led to their ill health. I am also often called 
upon by persons of both sexes affected with diseases which I see. at 
a glance, are the direct or indirect products of the habit of self-pollu- 
tion. Some candidly confess it at the outset ; others stoutly deny 
it at first, but generally, the truth finally comes out by confession or 



BAD HABITS OF CHILDREN AXD YOUTH. J39 

detection. Parents always (and very naturally) dislike to believe 
their children addicted to the vice. I was once called upon by a 
clergyman desiring to consult me about the illness of his daughter. 
I will not state when or where, or the nature of the difficulty with 
which his daughter was afflicted, as all consultations must be treated 
confidentially, and nothing be said by the physician to identify a 
patient alluded to by way of illustration. Suffice it to say. she was 
fi pretty, blooming girl of education and refinement, with no mark of 
disease excepting one, and that was the result of nervous derange- 
ments, induced, as I readily perceived, by the unfortunate habit 
ander consideration. My first thought was to communicate with 
her mother, but on inquiry. I found that she was deceased. On com- 
municating my convictions to the father, he exhibited considerable 
indignation, and said that he knew better. I finally prevailed on him 
to present the matter to his daughter, and she became overwhelmed 
with mortification, and solemnly protested her innocence. The 
father censured me for my alleged erroneous and hasty diagi: 
and left my office, feeling himself aggrieved, and his daughter's sen- 
sibility outraged. But what better could I have done ? Here was a 
disease produced and perpetuated by the habit of masturbation. All 
the medical skill in the world could not cure her. if she were not in- 
formed of the fact, and the habit discontinued. Xot many weeks 
passed before my course was vindicated. The father called again, 
made humble apology, said the daughter's remorse for having told a 
falsehood had rendered her sleepless. She had confessed that I was 
right, and admitted that her indulgence was frequent. The result 
rewarded me for the course I pursued, for she gave up the habit, 
nnd recovered her health completely. The object of this illustration 
is to show how parents may be deceived, and how the protestations 
of a child in these matters cannot always be relied upon. 

To show how enslaved a child may sometimes become to the 
habit, and how unable to relinquish it after its health-destroying 
consequences are discovered, a more appalling story may be related 
of a young man who fell into the vice. He consulted me at about 
the age of nineteen years, after he had become entirely impotent. 
A: a very early age he commenced the habit of masturbation, and 
at fourteen, by some means, became aware of its injurious effects. 
He tried repeatedly to abandon the habit, but resolution was weak- 
ened by the effects the vice had produced upon his mind, and after 



140 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS/ 

many attempts, and as many failures, he actually tried to castrate 
himself with a jack-knife. He succeeded in removing one of the 
testicles, but nearly bleeding to death, and fearing to make a confi- 
dant of any one, he desisted from completing the operation, and his 
habit continued to enslave him till he became impotent physically, 
and wretched mentally. In this condition, after having read some 
of my publications, he sought my advice, and confided to me what, 
if his parents had discharged their duty, would have been confided 
to them before he became such a wreck, if, indeed, under such cir- 
cumstances, lie would have contracted the destructive habit. If it were 
necessary, I could fill this volume with harrowing narrations of those 
who have consulted me in relation to diseases induced by solitary 
vice, but I trust what has been already related will suffice to make 
parents watchful. And let me advise young people of both sexes, 
struggling to overcome the habit, and suffering physically and mentally 
from its effects, to make confidants of their parents, if the latter have 
not made. themselves unapproachable by their children, or, failing in 
courage to do this, to present their cases to some reliable physician. 
Although physiological works generally fail to explain the reason 
why masturbation is worse in its consequences than sexual indul- 
gence, most of them are good for something, because they serve as a 
warning to thoughtless youth. I have never, as yet, read a physio- 
logical or medical work, which exhibited the real difference between 
the effects of self-pollution and those of sexual intercourse. In fact, 
many young people, who have studied the writings of medical men 
considerably, have asked me why masturbation moderately indulged 
in is any more injurious than a natural gratification of the passions. 
This work shall not be incomplete in this particular ; it shall not 
only sound in the young ear the tocsin of alarm, but give philo- 
sophical reasons why the former is positively deleterious, and the 
latter, in a measure, beneficial. Such an explanation, however, is 
reserved for Part Third, in which all matters pertaining to the ama- 
tive passion and sexuality will be thoroughly discussed. Let all of 
both sexes, old and young, read it, for no one should hesitate to obey 
the injunction — "know thyself." 

The juvenile feat of standing on the head, is quite extensively 
practised by school-boys without a knowledge of the injurious 
effects. I have seen urchins remain in an inverted position till the 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND VTO^IAXHOOD 14J 

blood appeared as if ready to gush out of their eves and cheeks. 
One case of immediate deatli from this cause was lately given in an 
Illinois paper. The effect of the exploit is to impair the circulatioD 
of both the blood and nervous fluids, and congest the brain. On a 
par with this exercise, is that of turning around sufficient to become 
dizzy and fall down. Little girls are most addicted to this practice. 
It is injurious to the optic nerve, which is irritated by the sudden 
changes of objects passing before it, and also to the brain, whose 
function of distributing nervo-electricity to the system is partially 
suspended. A rapid spiral motion, in brief, tends to destroy the 
general harmony of the animal functions. School-teachers should 
have an eye to their pupils out of as well as in school, and discourage 
all practices so obviously injurious. 

To make healthy men and women, an entire revolution is neces- 
sary in the training of children. Very few girls and boys, now-a- 
days, bloom into womanhood and manhood with healthy physical 
organizations. Some of the causes are indicated in what has been 
said in this essay. The principal errors in their training have been 
briefly alluded to, and a thousand minor ones cannot fail to suggest 
themselves to the experienced mother. 



Tis. 41. 



Bad Habits of Manhood and Womanhood. 

It is a trite adage that " man is a creature of habit." Indeed, every 
man, woman, and child has habits of some kind, and nearly every 
person is addicted to what are called bad 
habits to some extent. It is a good habit 
to speak well of your neighbor, instead of 
saying hard things about him, even when 
he provokes you. It is a good habit to 
u do unto others, as you would have others 
do to you." It is a good habit to preserve 
personal cleanliness inside and out, by keep- 
ing the outer skin or cuticle free from all 
obstructing accumulations and excretions, 
and the inside skin, or mucous membrane, 
uncontaminated by noxious vapors, poison- 
ous drinks, unwholesome food, excrementi- 
tious engorgements, and vitiated secretions. 




SMOKING AND SNUFFING. 



142 CAUSES OF NERYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

Every practice, indeed, which makes the conscience clearer, the 
mind happier, and the functions of the whole system more regular 
and thorough in their performance, maybe put down as a good habit, 
and every practice producing an opposite effect maybe denounced as a 
bad habit. It should also be borne in mind that what we may indulge 
in, or pursue occasionally with benefit, may injure us if it become a 
habit, and that self-deception is easy if wilful ignorance is encour- 
aged. 

Fig. 42. 




A EUROPEAN TAKING HIS FIEST LESSON IN SMOKING. 

One of the most prevalent evil habits is the use of tobacco in come 
form: chewing, smoking, or taking snuff. Children, largely because 
of their monkeyish ways or imitative faculty, or from the idea that 
it makes them smart to do what their elders do, pick "buts" from 
the gutter or buy cheap cigarettes, and acquire a tolerance of the 
poison by perseverance that would be very creditable to them in a 
more worthy effort. Many become "cigarette fiends," and grow up 
with shaky nerves. Early pioneers of this country learned the habit of 



BAB HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 143 

smoking of the aborigines of America, and the Asiatics somehow 
or other got hold of the trick themselves. Many fashionable ladies 
on both sides of the Atlantic smoke their cigarettoes, and a cigar 
dealer in Boston makes the astounding announcement that he sells 
an average of three hundred cigars daily for the use of the fair ones 
of oSTew England. According to Johnson, every female in the big 
empire of China, "from the age of eight or nine, wears as an append- 
age in her dress a small silken pocket, to hold tobacco and a pipe." 
The Japanese also smoke, women as well as men. A majority of 
men all over the world smoke, or chew, and not a few boys follow 
their illustrious example. The poet, Milton, was a moderate smoker, 
and Lamb, at one time, carried smoking to a great excess. The latter 
in a letter to Wordsworth, said: " Tobacco has been my evening 
comfort and morning curse for these five years." The great preacher 
Eobert Hall claimed to have adopted the habit of smoking to qualify 
himself for the society of a certain Doctor of Divinity (!) and finally 
he became so much of a slave to it, he found himself unable to over- 
come it. He thanked somebody who was trying to reform him for 
Adam Clark's pamphlet on " The Use and Abuse of Tobacco," 
followed with the exclamation — " I cannot refute his argument, and 
I cannot give up smoking!" A friend one day accosted him with — 
" Ah ! I find you again at your idol !" Whereupon Hall responded — 
"Yes! burning it!" Sir Walter Raleigh who first appeared in 
England with a pipe of tobacco in his mouth, was said to have had a 
bucket of water thrown on him by his servant, who, seeing the 
smoke issuing from his mouth, supposed him to be on fire. 

In portions of the Southern States, a practice called " dipping " is 
indulged in to a disgusting extent among women. A little mop is 
made, by mashing the end of a stick of pine, or some other soft 
wood, and with this instrument snuff is rubbed sometimes for hours at 
a time on the lips, teeth, and gums. A young miss in Arkansas died 
from the effects of snuff-dipping, she having fallen asleep with a mop 
in her mouth. "A post-mortem' examination," remarked the news- 
paper, " revealed the fact that she had swallowed the juice contain- 
ing a large quantity of nicotin, which is a deadly poison. Her 
lips, cheeks, and breast, were smeared Avith the foul stuff in her 
flying struggles alone in her room." This is shocking, to be sure ; 
but many ladies and some gentlemen, who would be shocked to hear 
of a friend having contracted the habit of snuff-dipping, may be 



144 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

caught snuffing powdered tobacco into their noses, if you watch them 
closely. By some microscopic distinction^ not perceptible from a 
physiological stand-point, snuff-taking is considered more respectable 
than snuff-dipping, and yet, many American ladies, moving in fashion- 
able society, are confirmed snuff-dippers. The gentleman who 
solaces himself with a fine Havana cigar, considers snuff-dipping 
and snuff-taking detestable — cannot imagine what makes women do 
such disgusting things! Meanwhile, another individual with a streak 
of tobacco juice in the corners of his lips, intrudes his presence, and 
argues (really with truth) that his habit is not so injurious as that 
of the smoker ! Now, the long and short of the whole matter is 
this : tobacco is a medicinal plant, just as much as belladonna, 
stramonium, hyoscyamus, etc., all of which belong to the same order, 
and should not be indulged in by healthy persons any more than 
cathartics and emetics. It is a \erj active narcotic and sternutatory, 
and should only be used by neuralgic and catarrhal invalids, or those 
troubled with constipation, and then only for a limited time, and by 
the direction of a physician. Its habitual use by healthy people, 
is attended with injury to the nerves and blood. The poisonous 
properties of tobacco are forcibly exhibited in the following extracts 
from a little work by Dr. Alcott, and from other publications.' 

" By the ordinary process of distillation, an alkaline principle in 
small quantity is obtained, called by chemists 'nicotin,' as well as an 
oily substance called ' nicotianine.' A drop of either of these, but 
especially of the former, is found sufficient to destroy life in a dog of 
moderate size; and two drops destroy the largest and most fierce. 
Small birds perish at the bare approach of a small tube holding it. 

" There is another oil x^rocured from tobacco, by distilling it at a 
temperature above that of boiling water, called empyreumatic oil. It 
is of a dark brown color and has a smell exactly like that of old and 
strong tobacco pipes. A drop of it forced into the lower portion of 
the intestine of a cat, causes death, in most instances, in about five 
minutes ; and two drops, applied in- the same way to a dog, are often 
followed by a similar result. 

"The experiments on which these conclusions are based, have 
been repeated and verified, in this country, by Dr. Mussey. His sub- 
jects were dogs, squirrels, cats, and mice. The following are among 
the most important of his experiments : — 

" Two drops of oil of tobacco, placed on the tongue, were sufficient 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 145 

to destroy life in cats which had been brought up, as it were, in the 
midst of tobacco smoke, in three or four minutes. Three drops rub- 
bed on the tongue of a full-sized young cat, killed it in less than 
three minutes. One drop destroyed a half-grown cat in five minutes. 
Two drops on the tongue of a red squirrel, destroyed it in one minute. 
A small puncture made in the tip of the nose with a surgeon's needle, 
bedewed with the oil of tobacco, caused death in six minutes." 

" Life Illustrated " says, — " There is infinitely more poison in one 
package of tobacco than in the tin foil that surrounds hundreds. If 
anybody doubts it, let him but hold a sheet of white paper in the smoke 
that curls up from burning tobacco, and after a pipeful, or a cigar has 
been devoured, scrape the condensed smoke from the paper, and put 
a very small amount on the tongue of a cat, and he will see her die by 
strokes of paralysis in fifteen minutes." 

Mr. Barrow, the African traveller, assures us that the Hottentots 
use this plant for destroying snakes. " A Hottentot," says he, " applied 
some of it from the short end of his wooden pipe, to the mouth of 
the snake while darting out his tongue. The effect was as instanta- 
neous as that of an electric shock. With a momentary convulsive 
motion, the snake half twisted itself, and never stirred more ; and its 
muscles were so contracted that the whole animal felt as hard and 
rigid as if dried in the sun." 

11 The tea of twenty or thirty grains of tobacco," says Dr. Mussey, 
"introduced into the human body for the purpose of relieving spasm, 
lias been known repeatedly to destroy life." 

Dr. Rush says, that even when used in moderation, "tobacco 
causes dyspepsia, headache, tremors, vertigo, and epilepsy." " It 
produces," he again says, u many of those diseases which are supposed 
to be seated in the nerves." U I once lost a young man," he adds, 
"seventeen years of age, of pulmonary consumption, whose disorder 
was brought on by intemperate use of cigars." 

All empyreumatic substances impair digestion by interfering with 
the action of the animal matter, the pepsin, which is the principal 
solvent agent of the gastric juice. 

Bishop Ames, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, one time ex- 
pressed to the New England Conference his opinion that a large 
portion of the funds for superannuated preachers is paid to men 
mentally and physically disqualified by the use of tobacco. 

Dr. Woodward, after presenting a long array of facts showing the ■ 
1 



146 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

tendency of tobacco to produce disease — apoplexy, aphony, hypo- 
chondria, consumption, epilepsy, headache, tremors, vertigo, dyspep- 
sia, cancer, and insanity — concludes with the following inquiry : — 
i4 Who can doubt that tobacco, in each of the various ways in which 
it has been customarily used, has destroyed more lives, and broken 
down the health of more useful members of society, than have been 
sufferers from the complaint in question (bronchitis), up to the pres- 
ent time, or than ever will be hereafter V 

Prof. Silliman mentions an affecting case of a young student in 
Yale College, who fell a victim to tobacco. "He entered," says he, 
" with an athletic frame ; but he acquired the habit of using tobacco, 
and would sit and smoke whole hours together. His friends tried to 
persuade him to quit the practice, but he loved his lust, and would 
have it, live or die, — the consequence of which was, he went down, 
to the grave a suicide." Prof. S. mentions also the case of another 
young man, in the same institution, who was sacrificed by the same 
poisonous weed. Prof. Pond, of the Bangor Theological Seminary, 
relates one or two similar cases of students whom he knew at Ando- 
ver and elsewhere. 

A distinguished medical man at Brighton, England, has given a list 
of sixteen cases of paralysis produced by smoking, which came to 
his own knowledge within the brief period of six months. 

All that one may read of the fatal effects of a few drops of nico- 
tine on animals, or the testimony of doctors and professors concern- 
ing the depressing, even paralyzing, effects of tobacco on boys and 
men, when used continuously or in excess, cannot so profoundly 
impress anyone of the evil as personal experience. The writer will 
never forget the night he spent in watching at the bedside of a man 
who should have been " in the prime of life," but who lay prostrate, 
almost totally paralyzed, from excessive use of tobacco. Other- 
wise his habits had not been far from right, but he was so saturated 
with tobacco poison that it not only stained his skin, but it soaked 
deeply into the nerve centres themselves until the paralysis became 
general, and extended to the heart, causing death. Our Home Jour- 
nal has gathered and contributes the following facts in regard to 
tobacco: " One of the members of the French Academy of Medi- 
cine, in a very elaborate paper, drawn up with great care, asserts 
that ' statistics show that in exact proportion with the increased 
consumption of tobacco by its habitues is the increase of dis- 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. \^J 

ease in the nervous centres (insanity, general paralysis, paraplegia), 
and certain cancerous affections.' It may be said in reply, that the 
Turks, Greeks, and Hungarians are inveterate smokers, and yet are 
little affected by these nervous diseases. But M. Jolly accounts for 
their exemption by the fact that the tobacco used by them is of a much 
milder form, containing slight proportions of nicotin, and sometimes 
none at all. Excessive indulgence, therefore, does no harm in this 
direction ; and no case of general or progressive paralysis has been 
discovered in the East, where this mild tobacco is in use. M. Mos- 
can says : ' The cause is plain enough, and evidently physiological. 
In all the regions of the Levant they do not intoxicate themselves 
with nicotin or alcohol: but saturate themselves with opium and 
perfumes, sleeping away their time in torpor, indolence, and sensual- 
ity. They narcotize, but do not nicotize themselves, and if opium, as 
has been said, is the poison of the intellect of the East, tobacco may 
one day in the West prove the poison of life itself. It is the nicotin, in 
the stronger tobacco used in England. Erance, and the United States, 
which proves so pernicious, and the Erench physicans hold that pa- 
ralysis is making rapid advance under the abuse of alcohol and to- 
bacco.' " 

The German physicians state in their periodicals, that, of the 
deaths occurring among men in that country, between eighteen and 
thirty-five years of age, one-half die from the effects of smoking. 
They unequivocally assert, that ,; tobacco burns out the blood, the 
teeth, the eyes, and the brain.*' It has been observed, that the manu- 
facturers of this article carry pale, ghastly countenances ; and it is 
also said that few of them live to old age. Agriculturists say that it 
soon poisons the soil on which it grows, or rather, that it impover- 
ishes the soil mure than any other plant in the vegetable kingdom. 

All the foregoing facts have been gathered up from various sour- 
ces, and enough more might be presented to fill a volume like this. 
But there is one difficulty induced by tobacco which I have not seen 
other medical writers advert to. Tobacco is the cause of impo- 
tency among men. All violations of the laws of health exhibit their 
effects first upon the weakest parts of the system. Every individual 
has some part less able to resist disease than another, and as the 
procreative system, from childhood to age, is usually more abused 
than any other, not excepting that ever-to-be-pitied organ, the poor 
stomach, it is more liable than any other portion of the human ma- 



148 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 



Fig. 44 

a 



DEFECTIVE STICKS. 



chinery to suffer from the nerve-destroying effects of tobacco. To 
illustrate this proposition, let me give you in Fig. 44 a picture of 

three sticks of wood hav- 
ing weak points. The one 
marked a has a knot in its 
centre. A strain coming 
upon the stick will mani- 
festly break it in two in the 
middle ; b has a worm-hole 
near the right end, and any 
child would say that in 
bending it, if it breaks, it 
will give way where the 
worm has punctured it ; c 
has been whittled down 
pretty small to the left, and here it will break when any pressure is 
placed upon it. Now we will call a a man with weakened procrea- 
tive organs, b a person with a weak stomach, c an individual with 
contracted chest and weak lungs. The gradual use of tobacco will 
make a impotent, b a melancholy dyspeptic, c a victim to consump- 
tion. But, as before remarked, more have abused or neglected the 
organs of generation than have even injured the stomach, or lungs, and 
consequently, it is no uncommon thing for the physician to be called 
upon by athletic-looking smokers, chewers, or snuffers, who com- 
plain that they have lost all power in the genital organs. The effect 
tobacco had produced in these cases is made still more apparent 
when the reader remembers the paralyzing properties of the 
plant. Then again, let . young men remember that in addition to 
impotency often resulting from the habjtual use of tobacco, the beau- 
ty of the face is impaired by it. The " Scalpel" has presented this 
fact in language which I cannot do better than quote here: "Both 
smoking and chewing," remarks the editor, "produce marked 
alterations in the most expressive features of the face. The lips are 
closed by a circular muscle which completely surrounds them, and 
forms their plumpy fulness. Now every muscle of the body is 
developed in precise ratio with its use, as most young men know — 
they endeavor to develop their muscle in the gymnasium. In spit- 
ting, and holding the cigar in the mouth, the muscle is in constant 
use ; hence the coarse appearance and irregular development of the 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 149 

Tips, when compared to the rest of the features, in chewers and 
smokers." It is not pleasant to think of becoming impotent and 
ugly, and still it is a more alarming reflection that so many people 
are poisoning themselves. 

In some countries Indian hemp is the fashionable poison, in others 
the betel nut, and to sum up all, there are about three hundred mil- 
lions of opium-eaters ! Verily, it seems as if mankind were univer- 
sally bent on self-destruction, and that those who put the razor to 
the throat are the impatient few who cannot await the gradual 
results of the popular methods of suicide. 

The prevalence and fatal consequences of intemperance in the use 
of ardent spirits have been fully considered under the head of "The 
Liquids we Drink ;" likewise the injurious results of excessive meat- 
eating under the caption of "The Food we Eat." It is only neces- 
sary to advert to them in this place, in order to remind the reader 
that there are other popular habits, equally as destructive to health 
as the use of tobacco. It is a peculiarity of human nature "not to 
see ourselves as others see us," and frequently the tobacco-chewer 
will upbraid his brother for drinking, and vice versa, and the exces- 
sive meat-eater moralize on both of these practices, while the pork- 
eater considers himself the very paragon of sobriety and Christianity. 
Probably two-thirds of the temperance philanthropists who are mak- 
ing such strenuous efforts to put down the rumsellers, are themselves 
constant patrons of the hog-butcher, and do not dream that they are 
inconsistent. By eating distillery-fed pork, they actually consume 
second-hand liquor, or in other words, eat it after the hogs have 
drank it, and still they would religiously refuse a piece of mince pie 
which was known to contain brandy. Now, my object in writing 
thus, is not to throw ridicule upon the philanthropic movements of 
the day, but rather to suggest for them a wider scope. 

Bad habits in dress have been investigated under the head of " The 
Clothes we Wear," but as I declined in that place to treat of the evils 
of tight lacing, I will devote a little space to them here, inasmuch as 
it is a practice more destructive to health and longevity in fashionable 
circles than tobacco-chewing, liquor -drinking, or pork-eating. The 
ladies who "will not put their arms through rum-jugs 1 ' (as some 
have appropriately termed the elbows of liquor topers), must not 



Fig. 45. 



150 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

consider themselves immaculate, which they may be inclined to do, 
if one of their iniquitous habits is not exposed in this connection. 

One of the most injuri- 
ous effects of tight lacing 
can be seen in noticing 
the peculiar office of the 
diaphragm as represent- 
ed in Fig. 45 ; d d exhibit 
the diaphragm, and m m 
M the abdominal mus- 
cles. Th e first view rep- 
resents the diaphragm 
as it appears when air 
is inhaled, the other as 
when the air is expelled. 
The diaphragm rises and 
falls to aid the lungs in 
inhaling vital air, and 
exhaling that which has 
been deprived of its elec- 
tric property and loaded 
with animal effluvia. 
How common it is for women to complain of shortness of breath ! 
Strange it is that they do not know the cause, when they compress 
the chest so tight that the free action of the diaphragm is interrupted. 
Of the many thousand ladies whose lungs I have examined, at 
least seventy-five per cent, of them could expand the upper parts of 
their chest from one to three inches, by tape measurement, while 
the expansive powers of the lower portions were often less than half 
an inch, and seldom exceeded one. In those persons who have not 
habituated themselves to the wearing of tight clothes, the expansive 
power of the upper and lower portions of their lungs varies only 
about a quarter to half an inch, whereas, in fashionable ladies, it 
almost invariably varies from one to three inches. Any woman can 
try this experiment and convince herself, with a tape measure, placing 
it first around the chest immediately under the arms, and then to the 
lower extremity of the lungs. The experimenter, after adjusting the 
tape, should exhaust the air from the lungs and then draw the tape 
as closely as possible ; then inhale, gradually allowing the tape to slip 




POSITIONS OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 151 

through the fingers until the lungs are swelled out to their utmost 
capacity. The figures on the tape generally give a result which will 
convince the fair experimenter that she has "been from childhood a 
constant violator of nature's laws. 

The disturbance of the functions of the diaphragm is by no means 
the only evil of tight lacing. The circulation of the blood and the 
electrical radiations are impeded thereby, in addition to which there 
is a still greater and more alarming evil. I allude to the pressure 
which is thrown upon the bowels, and from the bowels upon the 
womb. The peculiar organization of woman renders the practice 
tenfold more injurious to her than it would be to the male. The 
shocking prevalence of prolapsus uteri, commonly termed falling of 
the womb, is greatly owing to the pernicious practice of tight 
lacing. 

The greatest mystery to me is that women lace at all. A majority 
of them who do are members of Christian churches, and are instructed 
weekly from the pulpit that the works of God are perfect ; do they 
then mean to willfully insult the wisdom of their Creator by attempt- 
ing to improve upon them ? Now this question is a poser to those 
who belong to the Church of Christ, but as a faithful physiologist I 
am in duty bound to ask it. The fact is, it is a mistaken notion that 
wasp waists are pretty. They look perfectly horrible ! I would 
ratber see a woman's waist as big round as a bushel basket than to 
see it contracted to a size a trifle larger than the neck. I am glad 
to see that many of the ladies themselves are beginning to regard 
small waists as physical deformities. One of them, a Mrs. Merrifield, 
speaks right out as follows : — 

"The very expression c a small waisi ' implies a disproportion. A 
small waist is too small for the general size of the figure to which it 
belongs, just as a low-pitched room or a narrow room is too low or 
too narrow in proportion to its height. A well-proportioned room 
has none of these defects, and the waist of a well-proportioned per- 
son should be in harmony with the other parts of the figure. 

u The ancients do not appear to have recognized the virtue of small 
waists ; and a modern lady would be in agony if her waist were 
of the proportional dimensions of those of some antique statues. 
The celebrated Venus de Medicis — l the bending statue that enchants 
the world ' — has what would, at the present time, be called a large 
waist; yet modern connoisseurs and artists have unanimously de- 



152 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 



clared that this is the most perfect female form which the art of 
ancient or modern times has transmitted to us. They commend, not 
only the faultless shape of each part, but the admirable proportion 
of one part to another. Let us devote a short space to a few observa- 
tions relative to the dimensions of the waist of this figure. 



Fig. 46. 



Fig. 47. 





A CONTRACTED WAIST. 



A NATURAL WAIST. 



"The Venus has been frequently measured, and with great accu- 
racy, by artists; but the view taken is a painter's view of a flat 
instead of a round surface ; consequently, instead of the whole cir- 
cumference of the waist, we have only its breadth from side to side, 
and from back to front. 

"The whole figure is divided into seven heads and three-quarter 
parts ; each head into four parts, and each part into twelve minims. 
The diameter of the waist from side to side is one head (or four parts) 
and eight minims, or nearly one-seventh of the entire height ; the 
diameter from front to back is only three parts and seven minims: it 
is, therefore, nearly one-fourth longer in one direction than the other. 
This is the first point in which fashion is at variance with the finest 
forms of nature and art. Fashion requires that the waist shall be 
round instead of oval, and she attains her object by compressing the 
iower ribs, which are forced closer together, To such an extent ia 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 153 

this construction sometimes carried, that the impression of the ribs is 
left permanently upon the liver. 

Fiss. 4S 




FRAGMENT OF ANCIENT (GREEK) MARBLE STATUE OF VENTS, PRESERVED IN NAPLES 
MUSEUM, ILLUSTRATING DUE PROPORTIONS OF WAIST IN AN IDEAL FEMALE FORM. 

"But it is not sufficient that the waist should bear a due propor- 
tion to the height, it must also be proportioned to the breadth of the 
shoulders. Now, the Yenus is just two heads, three parts, and eight 
7* 



154 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

minims across the shoulders — exactly half a head more than th« 
diameter of her waist from side to side. When, therefore, there is 
more or less than half a head proportionate difference between the 
breadth across the shoulders and the waist, the figure is deficient in 
just proportion. It is to be observed that some individuals are tall 
and slight, others short and broad ; in all cases, however, there must 
be a corresponding agreement between the breadth of the shoulders 
and that of the waist. 

" As we know the two diameters of the waist, we are able to cal- 
culate the circumference, which is equal to three heads and four min- 
ims, or somewhat more than two-fifths of the entire height. We 
shall assume this approximation to be correct. Now, the real height 
of the Venus de Medicis being four feet, eleven inches, and two lines, 
and her proportionate height seven and three-quarter heads, the pro- 
portionate circumference of her waist, being three heads and four 
minims, is equal to twenty-four inches, eight minims, more than 
two-fifths. It may be considered, then, that a well-proportioned 
waist should be at least two-fifths of the height of the figure : what- 
ever is smaller than this, is disproportioned. According to this scale, 
therefore, the waist of a j>erson five feet three inches high should not 
be less than twenty-five and a quarter inches ; of five feet Hve inches, 
twenty-six inches ; of five feet seven inches, twenty-six and three- 
quarter inches; of five feet eight inches, twenty-seven and a quarter 
inches. 

" We have heard of a young lady of the middle height, or perhaps 
somewhat under that standard, who found fault with her stay-maker 
for having made her stays nineteen inches round the waist, when she 
knew that the young lady's measure was eighteen inches! Eighteen 
inches! According to scale of two-fifths of the entire stature, which, 
as we have seen, is under the mark, the height of a young lady 
whose waist did not exceed eighteen inches, should have been three 
feet nine inches ! — the height of a child, with the proportionate of a 
woman. 

" Enough has been said, 1 ' concludes Mrs. M., "to convince our 
readers that a very small waist is a defect rather than a beauty, 
and nothing can be truly beautiful which is out of proportion, 
Would that we could also convince them that they cannot possess 
an excessively small waist without the certain sacrifice of their 
health!" 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 155 

"Would that the female portions of civilized society were made up 
of Mrs. Merrifields, and my word for it, men would have merrier 
and more beautiful wives, and healthier children. I have never had 
the pleasure of seeing Mrs. AEerrifield, and know not if she is pretty 
or ugly, but if, by any possibility, she be the latter, her offspring 
cannot fail to be both handsome and healthy, as a reward to the 
mother for her obedience to nature's laws. 

In the next place I should treat of some of the pernicious habits 
of married people, in their private relations, were it not for the fact 
that extended remarks on these will be given in Part Third. They 
might with propriety be introduced here, for they are common 
causes of nervous and blood derangements. But the consideration 
of all matters relating to marriage, its excesses, etc., will be deferred 
for the place specified. 

There is one habit growing with fatal rapidity in the United 
States, which demands the criticism of the physiologist, and that is 
medicine-talcing. The country is flooded with patent medicines, and 
every village store has shelves appropriated to the display of this 
kind of semi-apothecary merchandise. If they would remain shelved 
no injury could ensue from their preparation ; but, unfortunately, 
there is a ready market for them, as is evinced by the rapid accumu- 
lation of wealth by those who manufacture them. The origin of 
each one of these medicines is something like this : Mr. Unfortunate 
has a wife or other relative sick with consumption ; he tries every 
thing and everybody with little or no success ; finally he resorts to 
something which his own fertile brain suggests, and, astonishing to 
say, the invalid actually recovers. The surprised discoverer at once 
thinks he has found an infallible remedy for consumption, and the 
bottle-maker and the printer at once receive stupendous jobs — the 
former to make some quart bottles with a jaw-breaking name blown 
in one or all sides, the latter to get np labels and flaming posters. 
He is received at once by credulous invalids as a great bent-factor, 
and by the old-school doctors and ''knowing ones," as a huge hum- 
bug. But, reader, he is neither of these two — only a mistaken man. 
He does not understand the law of temperaments. Many physicians 
do not. I might say further : the majority of the medical profession 
do not. 



156 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

Notwithstanding the adage " what is cure for one is poison for 
another," has become trite from daily repetition, its true import is 
not comprehended. It should be understood, that every variety of 
temperament denotes as many varieties of human beings, the same 
as the leaves and bark of trees indicate different varieties of trees. 
Tor this reason a medical man or a discoverer of patent medicine 
should not give to a black-haired, brown-complexioned man the same 
medicine which has cured a light-haired and fair-complexioned indi- 
vidual, even if his disease is the same. 

It is plain that patent medicines must act upon the principle of 
"kill or cure." They are absolutely dangerous, and the amount of 
mischief they are doing is incalculable. Many an invalid is rendered 
hopelessly incurable by experimenting with these nostrums before 
consulting a skillful physician. I have frequently been called upon 
by poor emaciated creatures who have swallowed forty or fifty 
bottles of different panaceas. If their cases are at all curable, a great 
deal has to be undone before any relief can be administered. If 
people would exercise half as much discrimination in dosing as they 
do in many other things of less importance, patent medicines would 
be robbed of half their power to harm. They understand why 
Parson A's coat will not fit Oapt. B's back — why the pretty dark 
dress of blue-eyed Mary does not become u black-eyed Susan," and 
why a hymn in long metre does not sound well to a tune of short 
metre, but it does not occur to them that the rule of adaptation 
extends equally to medicine. Let it be understood, then, that differ- 
ence in form, size, and complexion, indicates difference in tempera- 
ment, and that difference in temperament indicates difference in con- 
stitutional peculiarity. Next we arrive at the irresistible inference 
that what is beneficial to a man of a nervous temperament may be in- 
j urious to one of a bilious temperament, etc. The intelligent farmer 
understands the temperaments of soils, and throws on such manure 
as they require. On soil deficient of alkali he strews ashes of lime ; 
on that deficient of ammonia, the gleanings of the stable, etc. A ma- 
jority of intelligent physicians do not understand the laws of tempera- 
ment, and such not unfrequently have to bear the name of " kill or 
cure doctors," and such they manifestly are. 

In medicating, however, not only temperaments, but complications 
must be considered. The organ has many stops, as they are called 
by the musician, and one drawn out, or another pressed in, modifier 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 157 

or changes the whole tone of the instrument. By changing the posi- 
tion of these numerous stops, all sorts of variations in tone may be 
produced. Now the human system is likewise full of its little stops. 
Every organ of the body has its stops, and all these must be consid- 
ered by the intelligent physician before he administers medicine, and 
the medicine must be prepared to suit the complications. If it is 
not, it will, while benefiting one difficulty, aggravate another, and 
the unlucky invalid finds relief in one organ, or one organ stop, at the 
expense of one, or may be all, of the rest. It is for the purpose of 
thoroughly understanding any case presented by letter, that the 
" Questions to Invalids " presented in another place in this book, are 
so impertinently inquisitive. 

It will be seen by the preceding that while those who buy and 
take patent medicines are often ingloriously humbugged, the manu- 
facturers are by no means in all instances humbugs. Many honest 
men and women think they are doing a great amount of good in the 
world by compounding and selling " one-cure-alls." Their error lies 
in the head, and not in the heart. 

Patent-medicine eaters and drinkers should, therefore, be careful 
what they put down, and take nothing in the form of medicine 
unless necessary. It is said that there is a tombstone in one of the 
English cemeteries, on which are inscribed the following words : — 
"I was well, took medicine to feel better, and here am I." There 
are thousands of tombstones in America which might truthfully 
bear this same inscription. 

Arsenic-eating is a habit to which many ladies are addicted for the 
improvement of their complexions, and the obliteration of the 
marks of age. So long as our fashionable women are ashamed of 
old age, and insist on being considered thirty when in fact they are 
on the shady side of fifty, such desperate remedies for the marks of 
time will be resorted to by many. Young girls, too, who are willing 
to sacrifice life itself to look pretty, and especially those who admire 
" languishing beauties," will continue to eat arsenic, or any other 
powerful drug, if by the means the complexion may be improved. 
Until common sense, and the laws of health and life are taught in 
the family and common schools, it is almost useless for the physician 
to " croak," as his voice of warning is often called. 

Turning night into day is an injurious and prevalent custom, par- 



158 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

ticularly in fashionable life. Observation and experience have 
taught almost every one of adult age, that the habit ia destructive to 
the nervous system, but these teachers often fail to improve any one 
in the absence of testimony founded on philosophy. I have looked 
in vain in the writings of medical men and physiologists for any 
rational reason why man should lie down at night and rise with the 
sun. The effects of the non-observance of this hygienic rule are 
plainly exhibited by many popular medical authors, but frequently 
not so forcibly in their literary productions on the subject as in their 
own faces, which betray the secret that the physiological teacher 
does not always practise what he preaches. 

Such is the happy predominance of the social faculties in the best 
classes of human beings, the social circle is more attractive than the 
embrace of Morpheus, and most persons are ready to attribute the 
injurious physical effects of unseasonable hours for rest, to any other 
cause than the true one. There is, therefore, great need of new 
light on this subject — something which will appeal to the reason of 
men, and demonstrate the fact that one hour of sleep at night is 
worth more than three after the sun has risen. From the investiga- 
tions I have made, I have come to the conclusion that during the day 
the magnetic or electric currents from th^ sun predominate, and 
descending 'perpendicularly or obliquely the upright body is brought 
in harmony with the descending currents ; while at night the magnetic 
or electric currents of the earth predominate, and flow from north to 
south horizontally, in consequence of which the human body should 
be in a recumbent position, with head to the north, in order to pre- 
serve the harmonious circulation of the nervo-electric fluids. That 
this hypothesis will be favorably received by those who have had 
much experience as electrical therapeutists, I am confident ; for all 
who understand the proper application of electricity, know that, 
with few exceptions, the electrical currents from the machine must 
be passed from the positive to the negative in the directions which 
the nerves ramify. This being the case, ought not the electrical 
currents from the sun during the day, and those of the earth from 
north to south during the night, be made to observe the same rule 
by a conformity of the position of the body to them ? In applying 
the galvanic battery, if the electrical currents are passed contrary to 
the nervous ramifications, or from their termini to their source — the 
brain — nervous irritation ensues, and the patient is rendered more 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 159 

nervous. Such it seems to me, must also be the result of a non- 
conformity to the directions of the currents of the earth and sun. 
In fact, we see it exhibited in a majority of those who turn night into 
day. True, there are a few whose strong nervous organizations 
appear to resist all such influences, but the continual dropping of 
water wears away a stone, and these exceptions finally favor the 
truth of this philosophy. 

The sun exerts a powerful magnetic influence on the earth, arous- 
ing all animal life to activity, from the merest insect to the noblest 
work of God. The fowls of the air, the beasts of the field, and all 
human beings who obey the laws of nature, feel inspired with new 
life when the golden rays of the rising sun radiate from the east. 
The activity of the animal fluids increases till he reaches his merid- 
ian, and then gradually decreases until he sinks to rest in the west. 
When "old Sol" retires, the colder magnetic currents of the earth 
prevail with greater power ; animal life becomes more sluggish ; the 
wearied body seeks repose ; and the most perfect repose is obtained 
by reclining in a position consonant with the earth's currents. 

Fast eating, a universal habit with Anglo-Americans, is highly 
injurious to the nervous and vascular systems, and induces those 
conditions in the stomach which usually ultimate in dyspepsia. It is 
eminently characteristic of the Yankee to do every thing in a hurry. 
Xot satisfied with praying fast, walking fast, working fast, and trav- 
elling fast, he generally, and that, too, unconsciously, eats fast. His 
jaws keep time with the locomotive's wheels, and his arms and 
elbows with the rapid alternate movements of the piston rods. I 
was once much amused with an illustration an Italian gave of a Yan- 
kee at a steamboat table. Just previous to the sounding of the din- 
ner gong, he was descanting most wittily in broken English on the 
customs of the Americans, and, when dinner was announced, he pro- 
posed to show how a Yankee enjoyed (?) a good meal. With true 
Yankee impetuosity he rushed to his seat at the table ; knives and 
forks flew in every direction ; one arm shot to the right for one 
thing, and the other to the left for another ; while the fork was per- 
forming a rapid trip to the mouth, the knife, which had just dis- 
charged its load, was nervously returning to the plate. A few such 
spasmodic motions, and impulsive calls to the waiters, ended the 
repast, and with a whirl of his chair, he turned almost breathless* 



160 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

from the table. Nor was his delineation overwrought. I have my- 
self seen just such spectacles hundreds of times at public tables. 

At home, at his own table, the Anglo-American is not much more 
moderate in eating. The mouth is crowded with food, and success- 
ively washed down with tea, coffee, or some other liquid. Now it 
is the duty of the physiological writer to admonish the reader of the 
effects of this habit, and if, after knowing the consequences, it is 
still persisted in, no one will be in fault but the sufferer, if the worst 
form of dyspepsia is the result. 

Fig. 49. 




THE SALIVARY GLANDS. 



1, Parotid gland; 2, its ducts; 3, Submaxillary gland; 4, its ducts; 5, Sublingual 

gland. 

The thorough lubrication of the food with saliva is necessary to 
promote good digestion. Saliva is an alkali, and electrically speak- 
ing, a negative, while the gastric fluid in the stomach is an acid and 
a positive. "When, therefore, food descends into the stomach, only 
half masticated, and lubricated with some other fluid than saliva, 
digestion for some time is almost suspended, because the negative 
fluid is wanting to attract the immediate action of the positive fluid, 
and the presence of other liquids tends to dilute and destroy the 
power of the latter. In addition to this, the labor of the jaws and 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 161 

teeth is thrown upon the disabled stomach. How surely, then, must 
the electrical or nervous machinery of the digestive apparatus be 
disturbed. Then, again, food in the stomach, unless at once acted 
upon by the gastric fluid, commences a process of decomposition and 
fermentation, by which means the blood also becomes involved in 
the pernicious results which follow. Tf a person eats slowly, mas- 
ticates thoroughly, and omits all drinks, nature furnishes three or 
four ounces of salival fluid with which to moisten his food, prepara- 
tory to its entrance into the stomach. No one requires liquids to 
drink at the table. This habit is the result of fast eating. The 
salivary glands cannot furnish lubricating fluids fast enough for the 
rapid eater, so he depends on artificial liquids, which dilute what 
little saliva is used as well as the gastric juices. Liquids should 
never be swallowed till after eating, and then not to the extent that 
they are usually. Eat slowly, and depend only on the fluid nature 
furnishes to moisten your food. 

Still another habit — not, however, peculiar to our fast-living 
Americans — is that of stuffing the stomach with hearty food on va- 
rious holiday occasions, when the system does not at all require it. 
A grand reception is to be given to a live prince, a president, a diplo- 
mat, a governor, a general, a congressman, or to one of our ever over- 
fed aldermen. A " big dinner" is gotten up, regardless of expense, 
and at about twelve o'clock, midnight, all sorts of game, turtle soup, 
turkey, roast beef, roast pig, lobster salad, and a thousand other 
things dignified with French names, and well wet down with cham- 
pagne, etc., etc., are served to a crowd of red-faced gentlemen, 
whose vascular fluids are already engorged with red corpuscles and 
with inflammatory properties by over-eating, done on many a previ- 
ous occasion. And these big dinners are carried home to the bed- 
chamber to fill the mangers of night-mar^s, and feast the hobgob- 
lins of the night which perch upon the bed-posts, and make the 
sleeper jump from his disturbed rest whenever the sensitive nerves 
of the brain are pressed and fired by the inflammatory blood. It is 
surprising that this gluttony — this making a sewer of the mouth 
and the oesophagus — this midnight bedaubing of besotted lips, has 
not made mankind ashamed of the mouth and digestive apparatus, 
as masturbation and sexual pollution have made them ashamed of the 
sexual organs, which were created by God mainly for reproduction, 



162 CAUSES OF NERYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 



Fig. 50. 



as eating was instituted chiefly for the purpose of supporting life. I 
have read of a people, somewhere, who are ashamed to eat in 
public ; every one seeks solitude while partaking of food ; and it may 
be a debauched ancestry led to this peculiar custom. 

On thanksgiving day, Christmas, and various other holidays, fami- 
lies get together and abuse their stomachs. Nearly everybody, at 
such times, eats too much, and does it wilfully; and some eat and 
drink things on such occasions that are so hurtful to them, that they 
do not think of touching them at any other time. Now, why eat any 
more on these days than on any other ? Associate together if you 

choose — have a 
good dinner — have 
some dishes you 
cannot afford to 
have every day — let 
your table literally 
groan under the 
load of good things ; 
but why so com- 
plet el y shift the 
burden as to groan 
yourselves ? Let the 
table continue t o 
bear the burden, 




THESE ARE FIT FOR A FEAST. 



while you bear away from it no more than you can comfortably carry. 
As to public dinners, and all meals prepared simply for entertain- 
ment, why would it not be better to cover the tables with light, 
delicious food ? How beautifully they would look on such occasions, 
provided with rustic arbors, entwined by artificial vines, and loaded 
with real grapes ; with baskets of apples here, and oranges there, 
interpersed with bouquets of natural flowers, filling the room with 
their delicious fragrance ; gotten up, in brief, with a material and 
taste one meets with at a horticultural fair? How do you suppose 
the atmosphere of such a feast would seem to a well-fed man, com- 
pared with that which is loaded with the fumes of onions, and the 
odor of scorched animal fats ? And, if people are not hungry, but 
eat simply to be sociable, why not nibble grapes, apples, and other 
wholesome fruits which are light, and easy to digest, whilst toasting 
and chatting, instead of cramming the stomach at midnight with 



BAD HABITS OF MANHOOD AND WOMANHOOD. 163 

food only suitable at seasonable hours for that of a man who follows 
the plough, or bends over the anvil ? The prevalent practices of ban- 
queting, not only injure the stomach, induce disease, and abbreviate 
life, but they make wise men talk silly. This nation had a President 
who filled every office of honor, from that of a mayor of a small city, 
to the highest place in the gift of the people; but banquets and 
feasts made this great man talk like the habitue of a common oyster- 
cellar ! A man of distinction certainly requires a peculiarly organ- 
ized brain, an enormous stomach, and a discreet tongue, to accept 
and endure proffered honors. 

Would it not be better — incomparably better — to never partake of 
solid, hearty food to a greater extent than is necessary to support 
life and health, and on all public and festive occasions, when it is 
proposed to have a "feast of reason and flow of soul," to cover the 
tables with fruits rather than cooked animals? The demands of the 
social circle are /ery different from those of hunger. 

"Habit is second nature." So says the proverbialist. How 
important then it is that we sbould form such habits as will tend to 
develop physical health and mental vigor, instead of physical decay 
and mental imbecility. Habit is not acquired in a day — seldom in a 
year. It creeps upon an individual gradually, and if its effects are- 
disastrous to health and longevity, so imperceptible are the changes 
it produces in the system from day to day, the victim is seldom aware 
of the cause of a disease which is developed by it. 

Experiment has demonstrated that a man may endure, without 
pain, the heat of an oven hot enough for baking purposes, if he be 
placed there while the oven is cool, and the heat is slowly raised to 
the baking point. But does any one believe that a person kept in 
such a temperature, however comfortable it may become to him, will 
live as long as if he were surrounded with a temperate atmospheric 
element ? Dr. Kane, and his gallant band of Arctic navigators, 
became so habituated to a cold temperature, that they could walk 
themselves into a comfortable perspiration with the thermometer at 
forty -two degrees below zero, or seventy -four degrees below the freez- 
ing point ! But their enterprising adventure made sad inroads upon 
their physical organizations, and the brave commander of the Ameri- 
can Polar Expedition, with several of his heroic companions, have 
since paid the forfeit with their lives. Thus we see the flexibility of 



164 CAUSES OF. NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

the human body to conform to whatever conditions we force upon it, 
and we also perceive how fatal to longevity are all deviations from 
the injunctions of first nature. We may change our natural habits 
of eating, drinking, sleeping, etc., to some others acquired, as easily 
as we can accustom our systems to extreme temperatures, and expe- 
rience no immediate discomfort; but first nature will some time 
demand a settlement, and second nature will turn bankrupt, throwing 
the loss upon his superior. 

Those who strive to save the souls of men counsel all to take a 
daily retrospect of their conduct, to see if they have violated any 
moral law. I would also advise a daily retrospect to ascertain if any 
physical law has been disregarded; for how can the immortal spirit 
maintain purity and complacency in a corrupt tabernacle? It is also 
the duty of the Christian mother to watch over the physical as well 
as moral tendencies of her children, and to train them into habits 
which will conduce to a healthy corporeal and mental development. 



Sexual Starvation. 

Some of my readers who have given little or no attention to the sub- 
ject of animal magnetism, personal magnetism, individual electricity, 
etc., as it is variously denominated, will be 
Fig. 51. startled at the above heading, in the chapter 

giving some of the principal causes of blood 
and nervous derangements. Especially, will 
coarsely made, blustering men, who never 
deny themselves any indulgence of appetite 
or passion, and frigid, unsympathetic women, 
who could live in the Arctic seas on an iso- 
lated cake of floating ice, turn up their noses 
at this new bubble of sickly sentimentality. 
There are two classes, however, of both 
sexes, who will instinctively comprehend the 
subject under consideration before reading 
the isolated girl. any thing more than the caption. One i3 

composed of girls and boys, and women and 
men, who possess fine sympathetic organizations, easily affected by 
atmospheric changes, or by social or domestic discord, and whose 
condition in life has been such as to cause them to live more or less 




SEXUAL STARVATION. 165 

isolated from those of their opposite sex. The other embraces warm- 
blooded, affectionate, impulsive people of both sexes, who have been 
compelled by various circumstances to live in sexual isolation. Both 
of these classes will understand me, and say amen, when I place 
sexual starvation among the principal causes of derangements of the 
nervous and vascular systems. 

There is, throughout all nature, a male and female element, be- 
tween which there is an irresistible attraction. The observer at 
once recognizes it so soon as he leaves the mineral kingdom, and the 
higher he ascends in the vegetable and animal world, the more 
prominently sexual distinction and attraction present themselves. In 
the vegetable kingdom, and among the lower orders of animal life, 
sexual attraction and magnetic interchange find expression only in 
physical contact for reproduction. Among the higher types of ani- 
mal life, before reaching the human being, they find expression 
chiefly in sexual contact, in performing the function of reproduction, 
but to a moderate degree in physical contact in unimpassioned asso- 
ciation. When we ascend to the family of mankind, we find speci- 
mens of low spiritual and mental development, but one remove from 
the brute creation, who are governed by the instincts of the latter. 
Above them, we meet men and women with considerable mental 
and spiritual development, but with a preponderance of the animal 
organization and impulse, whose sexual attraction leads to considera- 
ble interchange, socially, but more to the impetuous interchange 
which characterizes sexual contact. Looking still higher in the 
family whose members were created in God's image, we find individ- 
uals of greater moral, mental, and physical perfection, in whom 
spirituality and mentality predominate over the animal instinct, and 
among whom sexual attraction leads chiefly to magnetic interchange 
by social proximity, while direct sexual contact occurs only incident- 
ally and occasionally, and is in no instance premeditated. In other 
words, the reservoirs of sexual magnetism in these people are located 
in the superior brain at the head of the spinal column, among the 
intellectual and affectional faculties, from which the element radiates 
diffusively, and envelops the object of attraction, and occasionally 
extends to, and ignites the magnetic combustible elements below ; and 
not in the inferior brain, seated between the hips, near the extrem- 
ity of the spinal column, from which, when so located, the element 
radiates more intensely, but seldom so diffusively, as to light the 



166 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

fires of the affectional nature above. It should be understood in 
this connection, that the plexus of nerves located near the extremity 
of the spine is sometimes known by the name of the inferior brain. 

Looking Beither higher nor lower in the mass of humanity, we 
find a few who possess apparently no susceptibility to the influence 
of sexual magnetism. If absolutely none, they are not a whit more 
celestial than their more susceptible neighbors, and are invariably 
found ^u examination, to be diseased specimens, and not a distinct 
type having healthy physical organizations. 

If now, reader, you are prepared to dismiss all question as to sexu- 
al attraction being natural, and to admit that interchange of sexual 
magnetism is instinctively demanded, you are also prepared for the 
logical conclusion that sexual association is beneficial, and sexual iso- 
lation injurious, for nature's laws are imperious. 

There are two essentials to the immediate support of animal life 
which are known to all, viz. : air and food. "Without the first an 
individual must perish in a few moments ; without the latter, in a, 
limited number of hours. There are four essentials to physical ant 
spiritual health which are too seldom recognized, viz. ; vital electrical 
air ; food possessing not one, nor two, nor three, of the elements of 
nutrition, but all the heat-producing and blood-making properties of 
true aliment ; sunlight ; sexual magnetism. Especially are the two 
latter more instinctively and impulsively than intelligently sought 
after, and a house-builder strains his inventive genius to shut us out 
from the sunlight, while the conservative tinker of our social insti- 
tutions labors to isolate the sexes, suppress sexual attraction, and 
ignore the existence of sexual magnetism. 

Do some readers inquire why the nervous system requires sexual 
magnetism to preserve it in health? If so, and you will enter into 
the mysterious science of life sufficiently to tell me why the nervous 
system requires sunlight, I will undertake to answer the question 
propounded. I have no doubt that plausible reasons could be given for 
both of these necessities with a little reflection, but it is not necessary 
for the purposes of this essay to enter upon any long-winded theory 
to account for them. Enough is contained in this essay to lead ir- 
resistibly to the conclusion, that the sexes cannot maintain perfect 
health in isolation. Where the isolation is only partially maintained, 
as in Shaker communities, the effects of sexual starvation are indi- 
cated. As a body, they look physically dried up. The health of the 



SEXUAL STARVATION. 167 

women, who the more rigidly and conscientiously carry out the princi- 
ples of Ann Lee, is, according to the testimony of a seceder, not up to 
the standard of women outside of their communities ; insanity is com- 
mon among them ; and yet among these people, under certain restric- 
tions, the sexes have times of meeting. In nunneries we meet with 
the most marked cases of sexual starvation. Nuns are seldom if 
ever vigorous looking. Even if they are apparently healthy, there is 
a paleness about them which indicates a deficiency of that magnetic 
vitality and red corpuscle which give the true indications of health. 
They may protest that they are healthy, but their countenances tell 
a different story, especially to the practised eye of a medical man. 
Only lately, I was called upon by a well-dressed, intelligent-looking 
woman, having in charge a delicate, bloodless, cadaverous appearing 
young woman, of about twenty years of age. On examining her 
case, I found no indications of organic disease. She seemed to be 
simply bloodless, and completely wanting in electrical or magnetic 
vitality. I instinctively diagnosed her case as one of sexual starva- 
tion, and, turning to the elderly lady, remarked that I should sup- 
pose this young woman had been carefully restricted to the society 
of her own sex. What visible effect this announcement had upon the 
young invalid, I know not, as I was addressing and looking directly 
at the one who accompanied her, and who appeared for a moment 
surprised and confused, but finally sufficiently recovered her self-pos- 
session to remark that her niece had been till very lately for several 
years in a convent ! Now this young woman had on nothing of the 
dress peculiar to a nun, and I had not even suspected the aunt and 
niece of being Catholic in their religious proclivities. I simply diag- 
nosed the case according to its physical aspects, with no word, hint, 
or suspicion to aid me in forming an opinion. But observation had 
taught me that such physical prostration is often produced by sexual 
starvation, and I was convinced it was the cause in this instance, 
without mistrusting the verdict would receive instant confirmation. 
My advice was — " Take no medicine — let doctors alone. Go at once 
into the society of both sexes, encourage the attentions of honorable 
men, and by social contact draw out of them all the masculine mag- 
netism you can." 

The case cited is not the only one I have examined, coming from 
convents, giving indications of sexual starvation. I have had also 
from young ladies' seminaries similar cases. Institutions for young 



168 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

ladies where the exclusion of gentlemen's society is too rigidly en- 
forced, are quite as bad for the pupils as convents. Large factories 
and cctton mills where females are almost exclusively employed, 
generally contain hundreds of pale, emaciated women who are slowly 
dying of sexual starvation, their physical exhaustion being aggravat- 
ed, of course, by the sedentary character of their labor. 

The Christian world is full of women contemptuously called " old 
maids" who are drying up, and daily growing more fretful and nervous 
in consequence of sexual isolation ; for men, as a rule, cruelly avoid 
women of a certain age, when Mrs. Grundy brands them with the 
common distinguishing epithet by which they are known. It is one 
of the great evils of the marriage institution that a woman may not 
remain single, enjoying the social consideration of the married, and 
the social attentions of men, especially when marriage is such a 
" leap in the dark," and often proves so disastrous to the happiness of 
her sex. 

Large cities and villages have swarms of women, young and old, 
belonging to what are denominated the ''working classes," a large 
number of whom are excluded from good society while possessing 
native refinement, which renders it impossible for them to associate 
with uncouth and often unprincipled men, who ever stand ready to 
extend the hand of pretended sympathy and affection to females in 
their position. Men morally and mentally suited to the best of this class 
of women, have so many better advantages in a business way to rise 
above indigency and humble social position than their female equals, 
there are never enough of the former in the social circle of the latter 
to keep up any thing like an equilibrium between the male and female 
magnetic elements, and woman of course is the sufferer. 

Wealth, however, does not always place woman in a position to 
receive a healthful supply of masculine magnetism. The pride of 
aristocracy often steps in between the young women of wealth and 
those young men of little money, but much virtue, who would gladly 
associate with them ; while the young men pecuniarily able to move in 
the social sphere of the former, are, in a great majority of instances, at- 
tracted to association with those with whom their money will pur- 
chase the most unlimited privileges. As a rule, having quite too few 
exceptions, young men of wealth are given to habits of dissipation 
and licentiousness which disqualify them for association with the 
respectable daughters of affluent parents, and consequently, if the 



SEXUAL STARVATION. 



169 



latter have the pride of caste common to people of this class, their 
daughters are deprived of the society of men, and, with all their 
advantage of position and material comfort, must suffer from sexual 
starvation. 

Occasionally, we hear of men effecting great cures by the "lay- 
ing on of hands," and the response is often playfully made, i; Pshaw f 

Efer. 52. 




SOCIAL MAGNETISM. 



He only cures women!" "While this is not strictly true, and while 
the male magnopath sometimes effects cures by imparting ins healthy 
magnetism to a debilitated person of his own sex, it is neverthe- 
less a fact that a majority of his cures are effected in cases of women ; 
the simple reason for which is, that the want of masculine magnetism 
led to the nervous derangements, which, in turn, produced the diseases 
8 



170 CAUSES OF NERYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

from which they seek relief. In any given case we may not always 
find the invalid to be a single woman. She may be the wife of a 
sickly man, who generates scarcely enough magnetism to keep his 
own vital machinery in motion, and if he give off any, it is of an 
unvitalized quality ; she may be the wife of a husband who is mag- 
netically repulsive to her ; the husband and wife may be so much 
alike in temperament, that the forces each generates have, by years 
of contact, become similar in character or quality. In any such case, 
if the wife goes to the magnopath, and he manipulates with his mag j 
netic hand some part of her body which has become the seat of dis- 
ease, she receives benefit and possibly experiences an entire cure. 
She receives what her system required, for the time being at least, 
and she revives. Women often cure male invalids by the " laying on of 
hands," " magnetic manipulation," etc. I recently saw a letter from 
one conservative gentleman to his equally conservative brother, in 
which, after telling how much he had suffered from nervous prostra- 
tion, he said : " I have experienced marked relief from Mrs. 's rub- 
bings, which put the animal magnetism into me, and they are more 
powerful and reviving than any electrical battery. You," he contin- 
ued, "may laugh at this, but I as one who has suffered so much, and 
received such decided relief, and in so short a time, could not doubt 
her wonderful power." This letter was shown to me with quite an 
expression of surprise by the party to whom it was written, but its 
contents to me were not at all surprising, for the philosophy of the 
whole thing was entirely familiar to my mind, for I had been cogni- 
zant of many cures of male invalids by the hands of female magno- 
paths. 

Oases of disease produced by sexual starvation are not so common 
with the masculine as with the feminine sex. " Men are privileged." 
Why, the God of nature cannot tell, but undoubtedly Mrs. Grundy 
can. Men only are allowed to make advances — they do all the 
courting — often shabbily — but they do it all ; they even allure young 
and thoughtless girls into trouble ; get drunk ; swear ; chew tobacco, 
etc., without greatly affecting their personal or family respectability. 
They may become the fathers of illegitimate children, with the ap- 
plause of the vulgar, the harmless jests of their associates, and the 
mild censure of staid people ; while the mothers of illegitimate 
children are turned out of good society, and frequently from their 
mother's door, witnout shelter for themselves, or the innocent victim 



SEXTTAL STARVATION. 17' 

of their thoughtlessness. With all their privileges and opportunities, 
however, I have met with some men, old as well as young, of consci- 
entious or bashful traits of character, or without social opportuni- 
ties, who were really suffering from physical derangements caused 
by sexual starvation. There are those who think they should bestow 
no attention upon a young woman unless with the intention of mar- 
riage, and their moral nature revolts at association with disreputable 
women. There are conscientious young men in large villages and 
cities, who, not having opportunity for introduction into good soci- 
ety, live as isolated from women as hermits, having no other society 
than that of men with whom they are employed. Many of these, 
however, are finally conquered by their instinctive longing f < l* the 
society and magnetism of the opposite sex, and, denied the society 
of the good and respectable, they lay their conscientious scruples a 
sacrifice at the feet of harlots. 

Years ago the New York Tribune, in speaking of the social life of 
young men, made some remarks which might appropriately find 
place here. The editor was calling attention to the large and in- 
creasing number of youths between fifteen and thirty years of age 
in our large cities who were without resident friends or kindred, 
" striving to conquer a foot-hold, and," exclaimed the writer, "how 
hard the contest ! What daily widening gaps between those who 
have succeeded, and those just entering the field ! Neither the re- 
ligion nor the social enjoyment of our prosperous men seems broad 
enough to include their employees. Look at the growth of aristoc- 
racy and seclusion ; the world of folly, luxury, and fashion ; the 
enormous cost of subsistence; the meagre salaries in vogue, and see 
what chance of comfort or sympathetic ease the town has to proffer 
her clerks, apprentices, and students. Herded together in the beds 
and attics of boarding-houses, shut out from the happy homes estab- 
lished by long residence and success, they are almost driven to the 
public saloons for light and warmth, and for that friendly com- 
panionship" (and I will add magnetism), "which, either for good 
or evil, youth instinctively craves and will obtain." 

"The employers are surrounded with all the appurtenances which 
make virtue attractive. The employees are not only urged into 
vice by their discomforts, but it is vice alone which tenders them an 
alluring hospitality. She sets forth her convenient bar-rooms, her 
billiard-tables, her concert-saloons, her houses of prostitution — in 



172 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

all of which he will find a merry welcome." It may be added that 
the young men of larger means and opportunities have their clubs, 
and the more favored individuals of the other sex have their exclu- 
sive associations, each not only giving facility to sexual isolation, 
but rather encouraging the same. 

Young men crowd the beer saloons where " pretty waiter girls " 
are employed, and really simply for magnetic association with 
women. Lager, wine, or some other beverage is called for, and often 
drank reluctantly, for they wish it to appear that the drink is what 
they are after, at least to those who observe them descending or 
ascending the steps of the saloon. Sometimes the contents of the 
glasses are left undisturbed. Many of these young men enter with 
no libidinous intentions. They feel thirsty or hungry for something, 
they hardly know what ; it is not whiskey — it is not beer — it is not 
tobacco — all these they may purchase at almost any corner, and the 
tobacco may be chewed or smoked in the streets. No, nothing will 
satisfy the physical and soul yearnings but the magnetism of women. 
They may not have thought of this element — they may never have 
asked themselves, or anybody else, what animal and sexual magnet- 
ism is; they may never have thought of any such thing; but here 
they get what they hanker for without asking the name or quality of 
the article. 

People of both sexes generally recognize the fact of sexual attrac- 
tion ; few have given the least attention to the subtle element 
which constitutes it. This element, if investigated, is found not only 
to be a nutrient, but a stimulant more potent than alcohol, and natu- 
rally possessing none of the injurious properties of the latter. It 
gives vigor, and, in reality, it imparts erectile power to all the tissues 
of the body, and aids in producing and preserving plumpness of 
form. It stimulates ambition, imparts elasticity to the muscles, and 
brilliancy to the eye, of those who are favored with its influence. 
Both sexes have an appetite for it, and frequently without knowing 
it. They long for something, they know not what, and seek to ap- 
pease an indefinable desire by resorting to narcotics, stimulants, and 
nervines. Herein, drunkenness has an incentive, which has perhaps 
never before been thought of ; but it is a fact that, with the imperfect 
social arrangements which characterize our so-called civilization, 
and which attempt to regulate the social intercourse of the sexes, 
men and women go up and down the earth famishing for something, 



SEXUAL STARVATION. 173 

they cannot, or will not, tell you what — unhappy, unsatisfied, hungry, 
starving — in some cases stark mad — and finally, in their blind search 
for what their systems crave, take to liquor, tobacco, or opium. 

There are, in fact, to cover the whole ground, two kinds of invisi- 
ble sustenance, for which nearly all men and women are starving, 
viz. : the spirit of good, and sexual magnetism. One nourishes the 
moral nature, and by its elevating effects upon the corporeal system, 
imparts physical health. The other nourishes the physical structure, 
and by its exhilarating effect upon the nervous system, makes the 
spiritual nature buoyant and receptive. Both may be made attain- 
able. To invoke, and receive the spirit of good, one has only to sin- 
cerely and heartily resolve to make moral improvement the chief aim 
and most important work of his life, and he finds at once a steady 
influx of the elevating influence. To obtain sexual magnetism, 
nothing is necessary but association of the sexes, and Society and 
State should institute such regulations as will not unnecessarily 
restrict this. Many suggestions bearing directly or indirectly on this 
subject will be found in Part Third. But I will here present one 
way in which sexual starvation might to some extent be remedied, 
without weakening, but rather strengthening, the props of our social 
system. I would advise the establishment in every community, 
large or small, at public expense, reading and conversation rooms, 
numerously in cities, where the sexes may socially intermingle, 
whether acquainted or not. They should be under the supervision 
of a certain number of eminently respectable ladies and gentlemen, 
appointed as trustees, whose duty it should be to enforce order and 
decorum, and to exclude only persons of dangerous character. Such 
rules and regulations could be easily devised and enforced as would 
effectually prevent those who would contaminate the moral atmos- 
phere of the place from being admitted ; but with these precautions 
not too strictly instituted, all who are allowed to enter should be 
admitted without fee, and allowed free social intercourse, without 
the formality of introduction, unless a committee, with badges to 
designate it, be organized for the purpose of conducting personal 
introductions, a practice already in vogue to some extent at balls 
and sociables. These reading and conversation rooms should be well 
supplied with books and papers of interest, and open alike to rich 
and poor of both sexes, and all conventional reserve should be 
thrown off while at these places, even if put on again when outside 



174 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

of them. Would not such places of resort he full of entertainment 
for women, and also full of attraction for men ? Would they not, if 
properly managed, successfully compete with the drinking saloons, 
gambling hells, and houses of prostitution, in arresting the interest, 
and securing the presence of young men who are now the patrons of 
demoralizing attractions ? If we create free public schools for the 
education of our children, may we not with equal benefit to the com- 
munity, create institutions which shall encourage moral, intellectual, 
and physical development of men and women ? At what fixed age 
should the State abandon the intellectual and physical culture of its 
people ? 

Prostitution. 

It is sickening to reflect that in Christian countries there exists, 
to an extent even greater than in the vast domain where the 
Christian religion is not taught, a class of 
women who, for a sum of money varying 
from 25 cents to $100, will put themselves 
in sexual contact with men for whom they 
entertain no sentiment of love, no sense 
of physical attraction, and toward whom 
they, in many cases, feel an aversion if not 
disgust. It is also humiliating to all who 
are working for, and have faith in, the 
ultimate moral and physical regeneration 
of the human race, that the amative pas- 
sions of men can.be so morbid as to lead 
them for one moment to value an indul- 
■the innocent girl changed gence of this nature which can be pur- 

BY HARDSHIP AND VICE. . _ ... /» , i l /» 

chased like a paper of tobacco or a glass ot 
rum ; but look whichever way we will, we are confronted by a mascu- 
line element wherein the sentiment of love is so perverted that there is 
a perpetual demand for demoralizing indulgence ; and a female ele- 
ment wherein perverted love, pride of dress, and destitution, stand 
ready to supply it. Hence, sexual gratification becomes an article of 
commerce, purchased by the male and sold by the female, greatly to 
the moral and physical degradation of both. The first effect upon the 
female is moral debasement. Her countenance may have exhibited 
all the marks of trouble, disappointment, and want; but now she 




PROSTITUTION. 175 

has the additional mark of shame. She has lost her self-respect, and 
painfully suspects that she has forfeited the respect of others. When 
this suspicion is confirmed, she becomes bold and reckless. An ex- 
pression of hardness creeps over her features, and all the artlessness 
and sweetness of her former face have given way to a look of dis- 
grace, defiance, and self-abandonment. In a little while the violation 
of her moral nature exhibits its effects in her nervous system, and 
she is obliged to live under constant excitement of some kind in 
order to feel at all comfortable in mind or body. If the social sur- 
roundings are not sufficient to furnish this, liquors, drugs, and nar- 
cotics are excessively resorted to for this purpose. Finally, physical 
corruption, by venereal distemper, is inaugurated. How could this 
be otherwise ? Suppose a person should post himself in a conspicuous 
corner of the street, or in some building accessible to everybody, 
and should propose to eat every thing that the crowd chose to give 
him, provided he were paid for it. Then picture to yourself any 
number of wanton men and boys patronizing his folly — one giving 
him something he possibly likes ; a dozen, something he perfectly 
loathes, and twenty more, something he is entirely indifferent to, but 
which he knows he does not physically need. Let this abuse of his 
stomach go on day after day, and night after night, for months, and 
years. What person is there whose stomach, under such treatment, 
would not become frightfully diseased? Even voluntary excesses in 
eating bring on the various derangements of the stomach, known by 
the one common name of dyspepsia ; but what sort of a malady do 
you suppose the person would have that I have just instanced? 
Heaven only knows ! Well, now, it is unnecessary for me to assure 
any one that the procreative system of the female is just as sensitive 
as the stomach, and that with abuse it is even more liable to disease. 
With voluntary, unpaid for, excesses, various difficulties, such as 
leucorrhcea, prolapsus of the womb, etc., ensue ; but when a female 
gives herself up to sexual pollution to every one who will pay her for 
it — often entertaining several in one day or night, for whom she 
cares little or nothing, or cordially dislikes, what may we more 
naturally look for than the vitiation of the vaginal secretions, and 
the generation of poison capable of inoculating the blood of both 
sexes, and producing local affections of a most frightful character ? 
There is. consequently, in addition to the original stock of venereal 
disease, about which there is so much dispute as to its origin, a new 



176 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

supply constantly being manufactured in the dens of harlotry, and 
of a quantity and quality not in the least inferior to any which has 
been imported. 

With such inevitable results attending marketable promiscuity, 
prostitution may be compared to a vast sea of physical corruption, 
in whose waters the licentious lave and come out lepers. "Where 
the beautiful river, lake, or ocean, contributes to the commercial 
prosperity of any city, there also this great sea of corruption rolls 
along unobstructed, and thousands of peaceful villagers who daily 
or nightly frequent the metropolis, in an unguarded moment become 
submerged in its dirty waters, and then carry home to their faithful 
wives a disease more loathsome than a suppurating cancer. 

In 1894 Dr. L. Duncan Bulkley, of New York City, published a 
prize essay in form of a four hundred page book on " Syphilis in the 
Innocent," to show to what a large extent, and in how many insidi- 
ous ways, it is spread about among those who never deserve any 
such terrible fate. He estimated that even among men, ten per 
cent, of the cases may be due to heedless use of tools, toilet articles, 
pipes, wearing apparel, or unclean closets, while of the cases among 
women, twenty-five to fifty per cent, acquire the disease in some 
manner they cannot be held responsible for. Even children become 
inoculated with the loathsome disease by many unexpected channels 
other than heredity, such as nursing, kissing, circumcision, contact 
with syphilized nurses, unclean handling, and especially by vaccina- 
tion, of which Dr. Bulkley cites 1,863 cases. 

It is a curious as well as sickening account which thfs writer 
gives of the methods and frequency of transmitting syphilis to the 
innocent, and it more than ever proves the necessity of extending a 
knowledge of such facts to the general public, and warning the 
innocent, those not addicted to vice, against too careless relations 
with those who may be. It is simply one more evidence that there 
is no safety in favoring ignorance, and however unfortunate it may 
seem to contaminate innocent minds with information regarding 
such a disease, it is more unfortunate to leave them liable to become 
easy victims in a hundred unexpected ways, especially when the 
disease thus acquired is no less virulent than when inoculated in 
the worst way. 

The male, however, is not simply liable to venereal affection. Ner- 
vous derangements and spermatorrhoea are almost sure to afflict him 



• PROSTITUTION. 17 7 

in time, if the female simply submits to the act, and does not partici- 
pate in its pleasures ; and it is a well-known fact that the courtesan 
nearly always has her paramour, upon whom she exclusively lavishes 
the intensity of her passion, while all manifestations of enjoyment 
with her patrons are merely pretence. The physical injury which 
the patrons of the houses of ill-fame suffer in this respect, is more 
extensive than many who have given attention to the evils of prosti- 
tution dream of; but the effects of venereal poison are more indisput- 
able and immediately apparent, and these are sufficient to occasion 
wide-spread alarm. 

It has been argued, and with a show of plausibility, that prostitu- 
tion is a necessary evil. That did it not exist, our wives and daugh- 
ters would be unprotected from the insidious advances of libertines, 
and the forcible outrages of men of reckless passion. My own ob- 
servation has convinced me that libertines in towns of moderate 
size, where prostitution is not tolerated, are more given to the seduc- 
tion of thoughtless wives and unsophisticated young girls than the 
same class in large cities. But the Eev. Dr. Wardlaw asks, and 
with propriety, — "What special title have the wives and daughters 
of those who employ this plea to the protection of their virtue, more 
than other wives and daughters ? Why are theirs to be protected at 
the expense of others, and not the others at the expense of theirs ? 
Who, in the community, are to be the victims — the vice-doomed safe- 
guards of the virtue of the rest — the wretched safety-valves of un- 
principled and unbridled passions? Are we to have a decimation, by 
lot, of the virginity of the country? — or is some inferior class to be 
sacrificed to the demon of lust for the benefit of those above them ? 
Is vice essential to the preservation of virtue? That were indeed a 
hard necessity. Where is the individual, male or female, and in 
what rank soever of society — whom I am not to dissuade from vice ? — 
whom it would be wrong so to dissuade? — the successful dissuasion ot 
whom would be an injury to the public? — by prevailing with whom 
to give up the evil course, I should incur the responsibility of one 
who shuts a high pressure safety-valve? — where the individual whose 
body and soul I am bound to leave to death and perdition, lest per- 
chance some others should come to be exposed to temptation V 

These questions are suggestive, and cannot fail to awaken reflec- 
tion on the part of those who claim that prostitution is a necessary 
evil. Perhaps a little inquiry into the causes of prostitution will set- 



178 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

tie this difficult question. One of the primitive causes, I maintain, is 
the premature development of the amative passions of youth by a too 
stimulating diet. Most parents allow their children in swaddling 
clothes to indulge in a diet only suitable for adult age. Do they not 
know that condiments, animal food, and coffee, early arouse the 
slumbering sexual passions of the young? These articles of diet at 
once impart undue warmth to the blood, and awaken early sexual de- 
Fig. 54. 




WHEN SUCH REWARD IS OFFERED FOR VICE. 



sires in their children, leading boys to early acquire the arts of the 
libertine, and rendering girls susceptible to the amorous advances of 
the opposite sex. Thus, from one parental error, spring up on one 
side a host of amative libertines, and on the other, scores of voluptu- 
ous women who have not the power to resist temptation, all of 
whom are required by custom to abstain from legal marriage until 



PROSTITUTION. 



179 

The remedy for this 



fchey have nearly or quite passed their teens, 
evil suggests itself. 

Another cause is unhappy marriage. This creates thousands of bad 
men and bad women. The indissolubility of the marriage contract 
drives both parties to desperation ; makes the husband a willing pa- 
tron of the harlot, and the wife an easy victim to the libertine. Ig- 
norant of the laws that should govern marriage, men and women are 

Fisr. 55. 




AND WANT AND THREATENED STARVATION HELD OUT TO VIRTUE. 

daily rushing into matrimony whose physical, mental, and magnetic 
uncongenialities are only discovered to them after the " honey-moon" 
has cooled down their impulses, and left their reasoning faculties un- 
obscured by the infatuation of passion. When they awaken from 
their dream, they find the civil law a reality, and that they must con- 
tent themselves to live in their adulterous relation one with the other 



180 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

or incur public disgrace by the commission of some crime which will 
entitle them to a divorce. They may not in all cases aim directly at 
this, bat they feel a kind of recklessness which leads them to decide 
that they cannot, under any circumstances, plunge themselves into a 
worse condition. Some suggestions for removing this evil will be 
given in Part IV. 

Another fruitful cause of prostitution in large cities is the small 
compensation awarded to female labor. In consequence of this, few 
are able to earn more than enough to supply present necessities ; 
and when "hard times" prevail, they have neither work nor other 
resources for subsistence. In such extremities, a few, whose pure 
souls abhor a life of shame, choose death rather than the princely 
abode of the courtesan, and end their existence by poisoning or 
drowning. Many rush into harlotry, for observation has taught them 
the humiliating fact that men will pay dollars for sexual gratifica- 
tion, who will bestow only pennies in charity. It is estimated that 
six and one-half millions of dollars are annually paid in this city 
alone to "pretty waiter girls " and courtesans! When such reward 
is offered for vice, and want and threatened starvation held out to 
virtue, it is only surprising that more do not abandon the flickering 
night-lamp and needle for the dazzling chandelier and the easy-cush- 
ioned tete-a-tete of the fashionable brothel. 

Hard times and lack of employment drive unknown numbers into 
a life of prostitution, and in a large city like New York, where 
there are probably 100,000 women working at an average wage of 
only sixty cents a day, the margin between life and dsath is so 
narrow that absolute necessity must too often be the direct cause of 
' 'the first step downward." Imagine their extremity when work 
slacks, and there are no savings to tide over a dull spell. The 
periodical expansions and contractions in all business as at present 
carried on, are a factor in the causes of prostitution which indicate 
the impossibility of eradicating it without an entire change in busi- 
ness methods and the social arrangements. 

It is said that out of 5,000 prostitutes in Paris, w T hose cases have 
been minutely examined, 1,400 were reduced to that state by sheer 
destitution ! A writer remarks that " there are fifty or sixty families 
in Edinburgh, who are almost wholly supported by the secret pros- 
titution of the mother, and three times that number who are 
partially maintained in the same manner. A daughter had struggled 



PROSTITUTION. 181 

on six years to support herself and bed-ridden mother by the needle ; 
before sacrificing her virtue she sold the last blanket from her 
mother's bed, and her own last dress. 

" Who will deny that these are startling considerations. And 
"what is true of European cities, is true of American ones, to a greater 
or less degree. Young girls can always get money in our large cities 
by bartering their virtue. It is an unfailing dernier resort. Why 
should it be thought strange that a female, pressed by pale want, 
should do that which a male will do in the absence of this neces- 
sity, and without a scruple? And why, especially, should it excite 
wonder, while black-hearted seducers and procuresses, knowing this 
want, swarm thick around, ever ready to take advantage of their 
distressed condition V 

For this evil it is difficult to suggest an immediate remedy, such is 
the spirit of rivalry, speculation, and selfishness, in the commercial 
world ; but there is one which time and change in public opinion 
may introduce. It is to educate girls as we do boys in the practical 
business matters of life, and then open to their pursuit all the trades 
and professions, in order that their fields of industry may not be so 
unreasonably circumscribed. Our social regulations, which so greatly 
limit the industrial sphere of women, frequently place them in a 
condition of want, without shelter for their heads, or food for their 
stomachs. They are confronted by only two alternatives, beggary 
or prostitution. In pursuing the former, they meet the frowns and 
whining excuses of those more fortunate in life; while in the latter, 
money comes freely from the hands of willing patrons, who not only 
give them sustenance, but privily flatter their vanity. 

Another cause of prostitution has its origin in the ignorance which 
prevails concerning the power and phenomena of animal electricity, 
or magnetism, as it is generally termed. All classes of females, from 
the daughters of the affluent to the pretty shop-girls, contribute in- 
mates to the brothel. In consequence of ignorance in this matter, 
they are not aware that some men possess electrical power to charm 
like the snake. Nor are they sufficiently educated in regard to the 
strange passion existing within themselves, to know how weak, under 
some circumstances, they may become to resist temptation. The 
philosophy of this charming power will be thoroughly explained in 
Part Fourth, but the consequences admit at least an allusion here. 

Coquettish ladies are apt to invite Hie attention of prepossessing 



182 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

strange young gentlemen, and coquettish young ladies, I am sorry 
to say, are numerous. They commence flirting with their admirers 
with the predetermination of keeping their affections to themselves; 
still they will venture much to ascertain the sentiments of their 
pretended lovers. Sometimes they are pleased to see how they can 
amatively exasperate them ; but gradually they become practically 
mesmerized, when pretty coquettes find themselves, like the flutter- 
ing bird before the charming serpent's mouth, utterly unable to con- 
trol themselves. The keepers of houses of ill-fame in large cities 
know that many men possess this singular power to charm, though 
perhaps not one of them knows the mysterious agent they employ to 
produce this fascination, The result is, that men who are so power- 
fully electric or magnetic as to be able to exercise such a controlling 
influence over young women, are stationed in all large manufactur- 
ing towns, where female operatives are numerous, to obtain fresh 
victims for the fashionable dens of prostitution. A partial remedy 
for this evil may be given in a few words. Young ladies must not 
make too free with young gentlemen, whose characters are not 
favorably known in the neighborhood in which they reside. Ob- 
servance of this rule may sometimes cause Julia to turn her back 
upon an angel ; but as devils are more numerous in travelling pants 
and waistcoats, so serious a slight will seldom be given to celestial 
broadcloth. 

Still another cause of prostitution is ci sexual starvation." As the 
preceding essay is devoted to this subject, I will only allude to it 
here as a promoter of licentiousness. There is a natural appetite — 
an insatiable craving, if denied — of one sex for the society and mag- 
netism of the other. If free social intercourse between men and 
women be provided and encouraged in some rational and elevating 
manner, magnetic equalization would take place in a great measure 
simply by social contact, and that intoxicating attraction, aggra- 
vated by isolation, which, when the sexes come together, is lia- 
ble to lead to direct venery, would be forestalled. The free inter- 
change of the sexual magnetic elements in an elevated social way, 
would greatly tend to prevent those earthquake and tornado out- 
breaks of passion, which result in rape and sexual pollution. The 
man who is stomach-starved will devour the flesh of his fellow-man, 
or even his own flesh, as illustrated in narratives of shipwrecks ; and 
the man of strong amative passions, who is sexually starved and 



PROSTITUTION. 183 

isolated from the female element will, when opportunity occurs, out- 
rage the persons of passionless little girls ; or appease his heated 
desires in sexual contact with women reeking with disease, in the 
low dens of harlotry. It is utterly useless to shut one's eyes to 
these facts, and the only way to avert them is to try, hy morally 
elevating means, to so equalize the magnetism of the sexes as to 
prevent thunder-storms of passion, such as newspapers daily chron- 
icle from one end of Christendom to the other. A partial remedy 
for sexual starvation is given in the essay on this suhject, and 
those philanthropic men and women, who hope hy combined ac- 
tion to repress or exterminate the natural passion of amativeness in 
other people, while they do not expect to effect such a result in them- 
selves individually, had better expend their ammunition in the direc- 
tion I have pointed out. 

In reviewing some of the principal causes of prostitution, can we 
not see that if it really be a necessary evil, it is so because of im- 
portant errors in the training of children ; unsuitable civil laws 
regulating marriage ; despotic customs circumscribing the indus- 
trial sphere of woman ; ignorance of the electrical power of 
every individual for good or evil ; and of the social despotism which 
separates the sexes ? Reformation in the training of children is 
the first place to begin to extinguish prostitution. So long as the 
sexual passions of children are stimulated to precocity by an exciting 
regimen, and goaded to illicit gratification by all sorts of fictitious 
and exciting literature ; so long will there be men who will violate 
the marriage bed, and destroy virgin purity where the institution of 
prostitution is not tolerated ; and so long will houses of ill-fame be 
annually furnished with voluptuous young females from all ranks of 
society. 

"Were it universally known to what an alarming extent the perni- 
cious physical effects of prostitution are felt throughout all commu- 
nities, more decided measures would be adopted under the paternal 
roof to cut off one of the main tributaries to this gigantic evil. The 
Avord of the mother is the law of the household, and she seldom 
dreams, even if suffering with disease induced by venereal poison, 
that prostitution can ever inflict a pang in her sheltered home. Why, 
I have cured hundreds of ladies from nearly every State in the Union, 
whose diseases arose directly or indirectly from syphilis, and who 
would have died of grief had I divulged to them the real nature of 



184 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

their complaints. I will not venture to compute how many have 
been my patients for the cure of venereal disorders, or diseases 
arising therefrom. Fowler, in a little work on Amativeness, remarks, 
" Many do not know how prevalent this disease is in its various 
forms. Its victims keep their own secret as long as possible, and 
doctor themselves, except when their case becomes desperate ; and 
then confide it only to their medical adviser, whose very profession 
forswears him to keep the secret. Oh ! how many of our young 
men have ruined their constitutions, and become invalids for life, 
solely by means of this disease or attempts to cure it. Indeed, its 
prevalence at the Sandwich Islands actually threatens the extinction 
of that nation, which, at its present rate of mortality, it is computed 
to effect in about sixty years ! And if it goes on to increase in the 
ratio of its past progression, it will ultimately cut off our race itself! 

"The fact that several thousand copies of a little work of less 
than twenty pages, on the cure of venereal diseases, are sold every 
month, at one dollar per copy, and that other works of this class sell 
in proportion, shows conclusively that there are several thousand 
new victims every month ! No patient wants more than a single 
work, yet twenty thousand per month does not equal the sales 
of these works, and of course falls short of the number of victims, 
for none but venereal patients will pay thus dear for so small a book, 
of no manner of interest to those not thus afflicted. All this, besides 
all those who indulge with other than harlots by profession ! Almost 
incredible, but nevertheless true!" 

I have not the least doubt — and my estimate is based on authorita- 
tive u figures which cannot lie " — that thirty thousand males are 
daily infected with venereal poison in the large cities of the United 
States, a majority of whom are residents of inland towns, whither 
they return to spread the seeds of the loathsome disorder ! Men of 
vicious habits in cities are generally too well acquainted with the 
different grades of courtesans to contract disease. They know who 
are " sound," as they express themselves. Their acquaintance with 
lewd women is not so limited but that they can exercise the privilege 
of choice. Still, the boasted smartness of these men does not always 
avail. When the medical seine is drawn, this class is numerously 
represented. In the public institutions of New York city, about 
150,000 cases of venereal disease are annually treated, to say nothing 
of those who seek the advice of their own physicians. 



PROSTITUTION. 185 

The reader cannot fail to see from the foregoing that prostitution 
is a prolific source of blood disease, and that it is rapidly converting 
the great fountain of life, as originally imparted to man by his Crea- 
tor, into a slough of death. Of all blood impurities, there are none 
which lead to such endless varieties of disease as those induced by 
the virus with which whoredom is inoculating the whole human 
race. Then, too, the nervous disorders resulting from marketable 
promiscuity should not be lost sight of in the summing up. On 
opening this essay I spoke of the depressing effect which a sense 
of disgrace inflicts upon a young woman who takes to her embrace a 
man for whom she has no affection, solely for the money he pays 
her. Her innate, womanly delicacy is affected from centre to 
circumference, and if she possesses a particle of natural religion, 
her moral nature is no less agitated. How, under such disturbing 
influences, can the nervous system maintain its normal vivacity and 
strength ? 

I have also alluded to the injury visited upon the nervous system 
of the patron of the harlot when no venereal affection is contracted. 
Unless the female is magnetically responsive to the amative delirium 
of her companion, the latter has simply practised the act of mastur- 
bation, and the effects upon his nervous system are no less injurious 
than when this outrage upon the genital organs is self-inflicted. 
There is, too, such a thing as diseased magnetism, which the courte- 
san may impart when she has no local difficulty with which to infect 
her patron. If she has repeatedly had venereal disorders, her nervous 
or electrical fountains, as well as her blood, have been vitiated, in 
consequence of which her very atmosphere is physically, as well as 
morally deteriorating. 

In full view of the moral and physical degeneracy of the condemn- 
ed courtesan, however, it is wrong and unchristian for her sex to 
abandon and leave her in her unhappy situation without persistent 
effort for her reformation. Popular opinion and action are all wrong 
here. Let a woman — no matter how destitute — no matter what 
palliating circumstances may be urged in her behalf, once become 
the inmate of a brothel, she is condemned to stay there until she 
comes to moral and physical rottenness, unless she have force of 
character sufficient to rise unaided from her degradation ; and even 
then she must buffet, perhaps during the remainder of her natural 
life, social isolation, and the chilling contempt of her more fortunate 



186 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

sisters! What wonder the poor prostitute considers herself an 
abandoned woman ! Even when death rescues her soul from social 
and physical wretchedness, her body is denied a Christian burial ! 
Think of it, men and women, and then call to mind the words of 
Christ: — " The publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God 
before you." 

There are thousands of women to-day whose naturally pure spirits 
are chafing, and their divine forms wasting in the atmosphere of 
prostitution, who are better educated and possess better qualities to 
make good wives, mothers, and thorough workers in the cause of 
humanity, than many daughters of affluent parents. All they need 
is a sympathetic, encouraging, and loving hand extended to them 
across the almost impassable gulf which a false society has too 
rigidly fixed between the condemned ground upon which they stand, 
and the fields of usefulness and respectability. A little moral and 
material assistance, extended by women, and encouraged by men, 
would deliver thousands of females — naturally good — circumstan- 
tially bad, from brothel hells. Shall they receive it, or will women 
continue to be cruel, unchristian, and unjust, to the more unfortunate 
of her sex, who are perishing morally, and whose gradually dying 
bodies are inoculating the whole human family with putrefactive 
disease. 

There exists in our city, a society called u The Midnight Mission," 
which is making some effort in the way of reclaiming those who are 
pursuing vice as a vocation, but it is said that it receives more sup- 
port from men than from women. Women seem to persistently hold 
back from bestowing any united effort for the reclamation of the un- 
fortunate of their own sex. The Rev. O. H. Dutton, in a discourse 
delivered at Trinity Church, some time since, presented the design 
p,nd plan of the organization, according to the reporter, as follows : 
"It is, in brief, a scheme for the rescue and redemption of the class 
known as i fallen women.' To them " he said, " it appealed in a two- 
fold manner : first, by affording a temporary refuge, and striving to 
obtain a permanent home for those who, of themselves, desire to 
abandon a reckless life ; and second, by endeavoring to awaken those 
who seem careless to the real dangers of their position. For this 
purpose a place is provided where, at stated periods, meetings are 
held under the conduct of the men and women connected with the 
mission, where religious instruction, advice, sympathy, and material 



UNHAPPY MARRIAGE. 187 

assistance are given to those who need it ; and on the occasion of 
these meetings, the male members connected with it, go forth to the 
haunts of those whom they wish to reach, and invite them to come 
in. During the day-time, also, kind and Christian women attend at 
the rooms and offer advice, sympath; , and ssistance to such as seek 
it. Of course " he remarked, " ..hen aid as sought to advance the 
scheme, it was met with many objecti i. ' It was hopeless ; these 
women cannot be reclaimed;' 'they do not v' \ it;' 'it is danger- 
ous to the morals of those who attempt it ;' * '. j work is too great;' 
'the subject is too delicate a one to meddlo with;' etc., etc. But" 
said he, "such obj ctions were controverted and overthrown by 
irrefutable facts. Scores and hundreds of th.se women had a desire 
to reform, if only the way is open. The task f reformation is diffi- 
cult, but not impossible. ISTot only the experience of the members 
of the society, but the records of similar institutions prove this." 
The speaker gave some statistics of the results of six years' opera- 
tions of "The Midnight Mission" in London, by whose influence and 
aid nearly 3,000 women had been rescued from a life of crime. He 
spoke of the many good qualities which these women, as a class, are 
known to possess ; showed the magnitude of the good wh\ch might 
be wrought ; and closed with a thrilling appeal to the men and 
women present, to give what aid was in their power for the further- 
ance of so great a work. 

Such associations ought to be cordially promoted by every woman, 
and by multiplying them they would do a vast amount of good ; but 
when it is considered how many in London alone, maintain them- 
selves by prostitution, and that in six years, but 3,000 have been res- 
cued, it is readily seen how primarily essential it is to eradicate the 
causes which drive women to a life of degradation. The cure is im- 
portant, and should not be neglected ; but prevention is the main 
thing, and our system of society must prove itself a failure if it can- 
not ultimately succeed in supplying a prevention which will prove 
radically effectual. 

Unhappy Marriage. 

This contributes to destroy the tone and vigor of both the ner- 
vous and vascular fluids. The mind, chafing in the galling fet- 
ters which bind it to an uncongenial companionship, almost forgets 
its corporeal dependency, and consumes within itself the nervo- 




188 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

electricity which should be dispensed through the nervous system, 
to impart healthy aotion to the blood and the organic machinery. 
Unhappy marriages are unlike any other 
Fig. 56. troubles, because society is so constituted 

that a majority of their victims prefer 
rather to fall suicides to their self-inflic- 
tions, than to encounter the frowns of 
their friends and acquaintances by practi- 
cally severing a contract which yields little 
but mental disquietude, affectional suffoca- 
tion, and nervous and vascular debility. 

The world little knows the extent of 
matrimonial inharmony. Each pair who 
find themselves unhappily mated, imagine 
that they belong to the unfortunate few 
ttnhappy marriage, who have made the great u mistake of a 

life-time ; " but the physician, in whom 
is generally confided the secrets of the broken heart, after the con- 
stitution has also become broken, knows, from the frequency of such 
confessions, that they form a part of the great majority instead of the 
minority. 

An English paper several years ago stated that in the year 1854, 
there were in London 1,132 runaway wives ; 2,348 runaway husbands ; 
4,175 married people legally divorced ; 17,345 living in open warfare ; 
13,279 living in private misunderstandings; 55,340 living in mu'ual 
indifference; while only 3,175 were regarded as happy; 127 nearly 
happy; and 13 perfectly happy. 

In what way the English statistician obtained these facts, if they 
are facts, I am unable to say. In this country it would be impossible 
to gain correct information of the amount of connubial infelicity as 
compared with the real happiness in the domestic relation, unless 
every physician of extensive practice should contribute the results 
of his observations. Seldom are the most gossiping neighborhoods 
of the United States acquainted with the actual state of feeling exist- 
ing between the husbands and wives which live therein, and it is not 
uncommon for husbands and wives to deceive each other, with regard 
to their real sentiments when they find that they have mistakenly 
entered into a companionship distasteful, and perhaps disgusting, to 
one or both. 



IMPURE VACCINATION. 189 

I was once called upon by a lady, in one of the New England 
States, whose mind was distracted and nervous system nearly ex- 
hausted, because she had formed an unhappy alliance with a man 
whom she found she could neither respect nor love. But she had great 
benevolence, and rather than make him unhappy by a disclosure of 
her feelings, she had concealed them from him, and they were secretly 
gnawing away the nervous threads that connected her spirit with 
her body. Ah ! how many wives whose eyes fall upon this story, 
will see in it the mirror which reflects their own miserable situation. 
Rest assured, that lady is not the only one whose benevolence and 
pride bind her to an unnatural union, and a concealment of her 
wretchedness. 

Unhappily, the victims to uncongenial marriages, are not alone 
sufferers thereby. The nervous, puny offspring, which is the issue 
of such adulterous alliances, opens his eyes on a world of physical 
and moral wretchedness, and hence the sin of the parents is visited 
upon their children of the first and every succeeding generation. So 
marked are the physical influences of unhappy marriage on the off- 
spring, I can generally tell at once, when I see a family of children, 
whether the father and mother are happily or unhappily mated. 
Both mental and physical suffering is the inevitable inheritance of 
the unfortunate child who is born of ill-mated parents; and if he 
survives the fatal tendencies of a poor constitution till he himself 
becomes a father, his child, in turn, will possess at least a trace of 
his progenitor's infirmities, and so on through the whole line of his 
posterity. 

For further remarks on this subject, embracing a treatise on the 
causes, effects, and partial remedies for unhappy marriages, the 
reader is referred to Part Fourth of this work, where it will receive 
the attention its importance demands. 

Impure Vaccination. 

In the seventeenth century, a country-woman astonished her sur- 
geon by telling him that she could not have the small-pox, because 
she had already been affected by the cow-pox. The woman was 
fresh from the cow-yard and the country, and the surgeon was Dr. 
Edward Jenner, a physician at that time of no very great prom- 
inence. Dr. Jenner at once set himself to the work of investigat- 
ing the country-woman's whim when lie found that the dairy- 



190 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 



Fig. 57. 




maids frequently contracted a disease from an eruption on the bag 
of the cow, which affection was called cow-pox. Jenner therefore 
supposed, and attempted to prove, some close relationship between 
cow-pox and small-pox, with the hope 
of placing the practice of vaccination on 
a scientific basis. He experimented with 
several forms of pox disease with vari- 
able results, but finally settled down on 
the theory that a disease of the horse's 
hoof, known as "horse-grease," was the 
source of human small-pox and of cow- 
pox. A boy named Baker, whom he 
inoculated with "humanized grease," 
taken from the hands of a man who had 
caught it from the heels of a mare, died 
from the severity of the disease, and so 
he was induced to modify it by working 
it through the cow. His own child he 
inoculated with swine-pox, and this he 
would have advocated as a regular prac- 
jenner vaccinating his child tice, except that he appreciated that it 

WITH SWINE-POX. , ,. ,. , , 

was too disgusting to secure popular ac- 
ceptance. Jenner's "great discovery" has been celebrated by an 
artist's statue (by Monteverde) which pictures him in the act of 
" vaccinating his son," but it doesn't seem so pretty when we remem- 
ber that it was " porcination" instead of vaccination he was inflict- 
ing on his first-born, and that the boy subsequently died of con- 
sumption before reaching manhood ; but that is only one of thou- 
sands who have since that time succumbed to scrofulous and 
infectious diseases implanted with the virus used in vaccination. It 
seems remarkable that with Jenner's few experiments, shifting ar- 
guments, and the many early failures of vaccination to protect, that 
he should have succeeded in overcoming the numerous objections 
to it, and establishing a general belief in its efficacy, which in course 
of time led to its official adoption and legal enforcement in many of 
the most civilized countries of the world; but this is after all but 
one of many curious medical errors and superstitions that have 
dominated the minds of men; and in the home of its birth, Eng- 
land, there is a strong and growing reaction against it which is 



IMPURE VACCINATION. 191 

surely destined to lead to its abolition. With our increasing prone- 
ness to ape English customs, when vaccination shall be turned down 
in England our "scientists'' and authorities will be pretty sure to 
follow master. 

For many years arm-to-arm vaccination had the preference, be- 
cause the local sores thus resulting were less liable to take on severe 
forms, but as it became generally known that other diseases might 
be also transmitted, including syphilis (many hundred cases are on 
record) and leprosy, the profession, for the sake of allaying popular 
prejudices, favored " bovine virus," that cultivated on the ab- 
domen of calves in farms conducted with a view to provide a safe 
and "pure virus"; but the most competent students of the matter 
are obliged to admit, as Dr. Klein has done in an official report, 
that they cannot recognize in any virus the precise elements (mi- 
crobes, probably) which they presume to be useful, while mixed 
colonies of undesirable bacteria have been observed in "points" 
obtained from all "reliable" sources of supply in the United States, 
as stated by Surgeon "Walter Reed of the United States Army in the 
Journal of Practical Medicine for July, 1895. High authorities 
among the advocates of vaccination could be quoted to show their 
admission of the possibility of as many as twenty-two complications 
resulting from vaccination, including nine forms of skin disease, 
erysipelas, tuberculosis, leprosy and syphilis, though it is claimed 
that instances of the three latter are rare, and can arise only from 
the use of " humanized virus," and that erysipelas and other serious 
local "accidents" need not occur if a pure animal lymph is used 
with sufficient care — at least, so says Dr. Geo. F. Shrady, editor of 
the New York Medical Record (June 15, 1895); and if his position 
be tenable, it is fan to say that the frequency of the occurrence of 
serious and crippling complications of vaccination, and the occa- 
sional deaths directly traceable to it, offer damning testimony 
against the care and expertness of the vaccinators and the purity 
of the virus they use. I am not disposed to lay more than half the 
blame of accidents, risks, dangers and complications upon careless 
operating, fully believing that with the utmost care, some propor- 
tion of vaccinations would turn out badly, and some deaths occur. 

The history of vaccination shows great changes of opinion among 
its most ardent supporters, and never any unanimity of opinion as 
to very important practical points, so that there are generally as 



192 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

many contradictory opinions regarding its essentials as there are 
about religious creeds; and yet the one claim that most of them are 
agreed upon is that vaccination is so great and good a method of 
protection against small-pox that it is above criticism, and that its 
utility is so thoroughly settled as to be beyond dispute. 

Mr. Alexander Wheeler, in an article entitled ' ' A Changing Medi- 
cal Dogma," written December, 1883, reviewed the history of vac- 
cination from its origination by Jenner to the last statement which 
had then been made from the side of those favorable to the prac- 
tice, by Dr. Guy, a statistician as well as a vaccinist, who wrote for 
the " Statistical Society's Journal" a resume of two hundred and 
fifty years' history of small-pox. " Taking," concludes Mr. Guy, "a 
careful and comprehensive view of all the facts that bear upon the 
question, it is allowable to conjecture that while vaccination does 
not act as a sufficient protection in epidemic years, it does effectually 
guard against attacks of small-pox in all other years, and that where 
it does not protect it mitigates." If, in the opinion of one favorable 
to vaccination, it is "merely allowable to conjecture " these small 
benefits from its practice, we unhesitatingly affirm that its known 
dangers far outweigh its doubtful benefits; but let us quote, after 
Dr. Guy's feeble apology for the continuance of the practice, Mr. 
Wheeler's brief review of the gradual modification of opinion favor- 
able to vaccination. "Thus we find," says Mr. Wheeler, "the 
original dogma, that one vaccination protects absolutely for life ; 
the doctrine of 1804, that it protects with exceptions ; doctrine of 
1809, it gives as much protection as small-pox itself ; doctrine of 
1818, it does not protect absolutely, but modifies the disease ; doc- 
trine of 1868, it requires repetition, as it wears out (the doctrine of 
many marks, the more the merrier) ; doctrine of 1877 (Grayton), ' a 
repeated vaccination after a certain age confers an almost absolute 
protection ; ' doctrine of 1881 (Guy), ' it is allowable to conjecture/ " 
etc. Mr. Wheeler asks, "May I not be permitted to think that a 
confession of absolute failure must before long close this series ? M 

Two of the most effective contributions for dispelling the vaccina- 
tion delusion have been the writings of Prof. E. M. Crookshank, 
M.D., of King's College, London, and Dr. Creighton. Both made 
original, deep, and thorough investigation of the subject, and have 
expressed themselves decidedly opposed to it in works whose scien- 
tific facts and arguments have not been disproved. 



ADULTERATED MEDICINES. 



193 



Prof. Crookshank's work on the " History and Pathology of Vac- 
cination." in two volumes, scientifically demolishes the theoretical 
foundation for vaccination, and exposes the insincerity, incapacity, 
and vacillation of its founder, Edward Jenner. Dr. Creighton, in 
the last edition of the great "Encyclopaedia Brittanica," and in 
special books, demonstrates the fallacy of the statistical or prac- 
tical-experience basis of vaccination, so that now it has no demon- 
strable value except what it is worth in fees for the doctors, busi- 
ness profits for vaccine farms, public jobs for health(?) officials, and 
other incidental interests. 

Space cannot be spared here for further discussion of the claims 
for and objections to vaccination, but those seeking fuller informa- 
tion can find it in several interesting books and pamphlets, free 
from technicalities, and suitable for the general reader. A list of 
such publications can be had from the office of ' c The Vaccination 
Enquirer " published monthly at No. 4 Ave Maria Lane, Paternoster 
Row, London, E. C, England. The publishers of this book are pre- 
pared to offer a dime pamphlet on " Bacteria" — a discussion of the 
germ theory of disease, by Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr., and several handy, 
cheap tracts for distribution by those who wish to spread the fight 
and strengthen the opposition to the extension or enforcement of 
compulsory vaccination laws. 

Adulterated Medicines. 
That man's cupidity should so far transcend his native humanity 
as to lead him to imperil the lives of thousands of his fellow-beings 



Fig. 58. 



by the base adulteration of those things to 
which the sick resort for relief from their 
physical sufferings, thus depleting their 
pockets simultaneously with corrupting the 
vascular and nervous fluids of their already 
enervated systems, is a fact almost suf- 
ficient, one would suppose, to destroy what 
little confidence men do entertain in the 
integrity of each other. 

The extent to which the adulteration 
of medicines is carried, is truly surprising. 
Says Normandy, " adulteration is a wide- 
spread evil, which has invaded every 
branch of commerce : every thing which can be mixed, or adulterated; 
9 




THE HAND THAT DOES IT. 



194 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

or debased in any way, is debased." There is, indeed, better oppor- 
tunity for adulteration of medicines than of foods, and more tempta- 
tion because of greater profits in such fraud. All adulteration is 
not necessarily directly injurious, since much consists in merelj 
weakening the proper article with some inert substance, but this 
spoils the physician's reckoning as to dosage, and is responsible for 
much of the disappointment in medical practice. Whenever State 
officials make their rounds they discover many inferior samples. 

A writer remarks that "more than half of many of the most im« 
portant chemical and medicinal preparations, together with a large 
quantity of crude drugs, come to us so much adulterated, or other* 
wise deteriorated, as to render them not only worthless as medicines, 
but often dangerous." 

Nearly all kinds of vegetable medicines, such as sarsaparilla, yellow 
dock, elder flowers, uva ursi, rhubarb, Iceland moss, and other use- 
ful roots and herbs which are thrown into the medicine market, are 
either adulterated in such a way as to elude the detection of those 
unacquainted with the botanical description, fragrance, and flavor 
of the pure articles, or have been rendered inefficient by being gath- 
ered at the wrong season of the year. Many herbs and roots used in 
my practice, I have been compelled to have gathered by my own 
agents, in order to have them possess that genuineness and efficiency 
necessary to produce a successful result in obstinate cases. 

It is impossible for a physician to predict, with any certainty, the 
effects of a prescription upon a disease, if it be prepared from the in- 
gredients furnished by most medicine dealers, however honorable, 
for if they do not themselves practise adulteration, those of whom 
they purchased may have done so, and the worthlessness of any root 
or herb cured in the wrong season, can only be determined by a 
trial of its strength. 

Those who reside in the country, surrounded with the numerous 
antidotes which nature furnishes for the diseases of mankind, might 
easily avoid this species of imposition, and do much to preserve and 
restore their own health, by acquiring a little knowledge of the 
medicinal properties of the numerous plants springing up about 
them, and preserving, in their season, such as are valuable in sick* 
ness. It is true that adulterations in roots and herbs are nofe 
so positively injurious as those of mineral medicines, which I 
shall soon consider, but time is too valuable in sickness to be 



ADULTERATED MEDICINES. 195 

trifled with by the administration of medicines of an uncertain 
efficacy. 

The Botanic System of practice has not gained that high reputa- 
tion for success which it would have gained, had its practitioners been 
their own botanists, and gathered by their own hands, or by those 
of agents of integrity and ability, in their season, the many health- 
restoring plants which they rely upon in the treatment of the sick. 

The industrious farmer knows how difficult it is for him to buy as 
good corn, potatoes, eggs, and butter in the city markets, as he can 
raise himself. Now, it is just as difficult for the botanic physician to 
purchase at random, at the medicine stores, as efficient medicines as 
he can collect through private sources with a little extra trouble and 
expense. 

I have cured hundreds of cases of difficult chronic diseases with 
botanical medicines bearing the same name as those the invalids had 
been using for weeks and months without benefit, under the direction 
of other physicians, which fact can only be explained by the sup- 
position that adulteration, or carelessness in curing, had been practised 
upon those administered by my medical contemporaries. 

There are, of course, some medicinal vegetable productions of 
foreign countries, which we can only get by importation. Nearly 
all are generally more or less adulterated, which fact should lead the 
careful physician to double diligence. Indian opium, for instance, is 
often adulterated with mud, sand, powdered charcoal, soot, cow-dung 
(hold your stomach, opium eater) ! powdered poppy-petals, and pow- 
dered seeds of various descriptions. Smyrna scammony frequently 
contains chalk, guaiacum, jalap, sulphate of lime, gum tragacanth, 
bassorin, etc., and some samples are met with which do not possess 
a particle of that drug which it is pretended to represent. The 
Mexican jalap is of two varieties, one of which is almost worthless. 
The latter is called male jalap, and often comes mixed with the 
better article, and sometimes unmixed. The Spanish liquorice is 
also much adulterated. Hassal found in twenty-eight samples of the 
powdered, eleven which were adulterated, and the extract can sel- 
dom be obtained pure. 

When so much injury results from the adulteration of vegetable 
medicines, what shall be said of those arising from the adulteration 
of mineral medicines, whose counterfeits are often more pernicious in 
their effects than the genuine? According to Normandy, Bingley, 



196 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

and "Wakley, calomel is adulterated with chalk, sulphate of barytes, 
white lead, clay, sulphate of lime ; mercury, with lead, tin, bismuth ; 
mercurial ointments with Prussian blue, clay, etc. ; nitrate of silver 
with nitrate of potash, and so on through the whole catalogue of 
mineral remedies. 

Why, the disclosure of this wholesale deception in drugs and medi- 
cines is enough to make a man see red and blue lights in the apothe- 
caries' windows, if all the "big bottles" of colored fluid were taken 
out. It is no wonder that the patients of old-school physicians make 
up ugly faces at their family doctors, and call them hard names. 
Mineral doctors, under the most favorable circumstances, are unsuc- 
cessful enough, without having their already uncertain remedies per- 
verted. 

As a general rule all internal medicines, whether vegetable or 
mineral, are potent for good or evil. They seldom have a passive 
effect, but a positive, or negative. It is all important, therefore, that 
they should be just what the prescriber supposes them to be, or 
serious mischief must necessarily occur. It is always advisable, when 
possible, for the medical practitioner to prepare with his own hands 
the prescriptions he would give to his patients. And if he aims to 
know precisely the effect any medicine will have on a disease, he him- 
self must also collect, or have carefully collected, through trusty agents, 
the ingredients which enter into its composition. Any thing like an 
approach to unerring success is impossible without these precautions. 
Although the records of crime indicate that mankind places a trifling 
estimate on human life, its most depreciated value is quite too great 
to warrant the carelessness which is often manifested in the prepa- 
ration and administration of drugs, particularly when the extent to 
which adulteration is practiced is so widely known among the intel- 
ligent members of the medical profession. I most candidly confess 
that one of the secrets of my success lies in the fact, that I spare 
neither labor nor expense in obtaining the best things from the vege- 
table kingdom that mother earth furnishes for the ills of mankind. 

Brutality and Inhumanity^ 

Shocking instances of brutality and inhumanity are constantly 
straining the nerves of all good people, and affecting to a frightful 
degree those who are finely organized physically. Some people 
delight in whipping horses ; others in kicking dogs ; and there are 



BRUTALITY AND INHUMANITY. 



197 



Fig. 59. 




AN ILLUSTRATION. 



those who cannot pass an animal of any kind without hitting it with 
stick or stone. Almost everybody seems to enjoy to some extenf 
the destroying of life. Boys, for the mere 
fun of the thing, catch flies in order to kill 
them. Very had hoys delight in putting 
pins through insects, and fastening them to 
hoards to watch their painful writhings 
and flutterings. Older boys and men find 
pleasure in shooting little birds, rabbits, 
squirrels, and other pretty animals the 
Creator made to beautify and enliven the 
landscape. Very bad men enjoy pummel- 
ling and killing each other. In brief, nearly 
all men possess the impulse, to some extent, 
to destroy life. It is small in those who 
simply like to step on worms, pull the 
wings from flies, and catch and torture the busy honey-bee ; but at 
the same time this is one of the worst and most inexcusable exhibi- 
tions of the impulse. It is larger in those who can entertain them- 
selves for days and weeks with guns on their shoulders, searching 
the wood and stream for something to destroy, merely for the 
pleasure of taking life. It is tragically enormous in men who delight 
in the carnage of war ; who boast how much they like to fight ; and 
who can look with fiendish complacency upon the bleeding form of 
a brother slain ; but it presents the dimensions of a fiend incarnate, 
and a power incomprehensible even to those we commonly esteem as 
bad, when it compels a man in the absence of any serious provoca- 
tion, to murder a large family, as illustrated in the case of Probst. 
As I see the wasp, ever ready to inflict his sting ; as I read of the 
serpent, ever alert for an object into which he may fasten his poison- 
ous fang ; when I am told by the traveller of the blood-thirsty habits 
of the tiger, the panther, and other animals of this class, I some- 
times think that this disposition to inflict pain and destroy life, is, in 
a measure, derived from man. Man fills the whole animal world 
with magnetism bearing more or less of his qualities of mind and 
disposition. Place a good man for a while in the magnetic atmos- 
phere of those who are bad, even if the latter be mute or asleep, the 
good qualities of the former will be, in a measure, modified. No 
one can habitually live in the atmosphere of wicked people without 



198 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

being to some degree contaminated. There are places which good 
men cannot enter without having their moral nature somewhat 
injured. Now, if men are so under the influence of their fellow- 
men, may not the inferior animals also be affected by the moral 
atmosphere of mankind. We find where men are the most savage, 
most brutal, and most given to the pastimes of torturing and killing; 
that there, too, animals of all kinds exhibit the most blood-thirsty 
instincts. The same animals removed to regions of civilization, and 
among men of greater kindliness of feeling, lose very much of their 
savage disposition ; and, too, these ferocious animals are often sub- 
dued by the presence of one noble, generous man. Look at the 
story of Daniel in the lions' den — thrown there by his persecutors. 
How confident the haters of Daniel were that those lions would fall 
upon, and destroy him. This has often been counted a miracle, and 
indeed it must have been, if it was not the overpowering magnetism 
of good radiating from Daniel's noble nature which overcame the 
ferocity of the beasts. All successful tamers of ferocious animals, 
as well as our best horse trainers, are men of kind hearts. It is 
impossible to subdue the tiger with a club, or a vicious horse with a 
whip ; and may it not be that the promised millennial era, "When 
the lion and the lamb shall lie down together," will make its advent 
on earth so soon as man shall have subdued all his cruel passions — 
so soon as he shall recognize the rights of animals of every grade, to 
exist and enjoy life — shall love his neighbor as himself — and shall 
love every thing that creeps upon the earth, because his Father 
made it. 

The health of the nervous system of many good people is, as U 
were, sacrificed by their being compelled to witness cruelty to ani- 
mals. The more sensitive are shocked at cruelty to insect life ; but 
all noble souls tremble in their nervous centres when they see horses 
lashed ; dogs kicked ; and other animals rudely treated. No really 
generous, kind-hearted man can see the songsters of the- forest, and 
the quadrupeds which enliven wild and uninhabited resorts, shot 
down from pure wantonness, without experiencing a feeling detri- 
mental to the nervous harmony. 

Inhuman conduct between man and man, however, produces the 
greatest discord in the nervous system. It not only affects injurious- 
ly the perpetrator and victim of the cruel act, but it convulses the 
nervous systems of those who witness it, and those in the radius 



BRUTALITY AND INHUMANITY, 199 

of thou sands of miles, who may read, or be told the affecting tale. 
Burns, ever glowing with sympathy, never uttered truer poetic words 
than those in which he said : — 

"Man's inhumanity to man 
Makes countless thousands mourn." 

It is shamefully the rule, instead of the exception, that men, created, 
as we are told, in the image of God, do not treat each other more 
kindly. Selfishness abounds everywhere, and constantly generates a 
spirit of inhumanity. This, in turn, leads to acts of cruelty, and 
when these culminate in murder, then again we witness the in- 
humanity of scores of people gathering in mobs to be revenged upon 
the unfortunate murderer ; and the law, through its officers, jealous 
sf its inhuman prerogatives, protects its victim, not only from the 
ferocity of the mob, but with stomach-pump takes from the wretched 
man the poison he has swallowed, in order that it may have the sat- 
isfaction of putting out his poor life ; and when he has sufficiently 
recovered from this attempt upon his life, he is conducted, trem- 
blingly, to the guillotine, the garrote, the scaffold or electric chair ! 
Headers, not one in ten of you have stopped to consider the moral 
and physical injury the human family suffers from the inhuman 
practices of beheading, choking to death, and hanging those who, 
through unfortunate mental organization, or more unfortunate cir- 
cumstances, commit murder or other crime. The effect upon the 
child, and in fact upon all, is to create the impression that murder 
is justifiable, if the provocation is what the law regards a capital 
offence ; and the result is that many people, impatient of the law's 
delay, take, as they say, the law into their own hands, making them- 
selves judge as well as executioner. This is true, not only of mobs 
organized to lynch and kill some offender, but often of individual 
action, k man feels himself aggrieved by the supposed or real injustice 
of another; thinks he ought to be killed; and fearing or knowing 
that it cannot be effected by due course of law, he does the bloody 
work himself, after arraigning the accused before his own excited im- 
agination, and pronouncing sentence of death upon him. Now, if law 
will not countenance killing for any cause whatever, will it not have 
a healthful effect upon the passions of men who are now taught by 
its example that killing is right under certain circumstances, and by 
methods prescribed by law, and who, consequently, convinced in 



200 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

their heated judgment that some enemy of their happiness should be 
killed, proceed at once to do the murderous work. Would it not 
be far better to teach our children, as they are growing up, impress- 
ible and easily moulded, that no one, ruffian or sheriff, has a right 
to slay his fellow-man ; that the life of every human being is in the 
hands of God, and that He shall determine when any disturber of 
the peace shall die? Is it, indeed, reasonable to suppose that the 
Almighty, when the instrumentalities within His reach are so numer- 
ous for removing wicked men, if He chose to do so in any particular 
case, should brutalize man by making him the instrument ? Should 
not the law be made a good exemplar, in order that immature minds 
may be correctly formed, and those which have received the develop- 
ment of adult age, impressed with the sacredness of human life. 
There is no difficulty in placing the murderer where his existence 
will no longer be dangerous to society. Let it be the law, if neces- 
sary, that men guilty of capital offences shall not be pardoned by 
President, by governors, or other officials, and we may safely await 
the providence of God, as to when our erring brother shall be called 
before the great tribunal. So long as the law recognizes murder as 
necessary in some aggravated cases, individuals will entertain the 
same sentiment, and act upon the conviction. While writing, my eye 
falls upon a newspaper containing the following paragraph, dated at 
the office of Wells, Fargo, & Co., San Francisco : — u San Juan and 
Nevada stage robbed at four a. m. of $3,000 ; reward offered at seven 
a. m. ; robbers shot and all the money recovered at two p. m. ; coroner's 
inquest at three p. m. ; funeral of the thieves at six p. m. The fore- 
going programme of a 'spirited little affair,' came off on the 15th 
of May. First part of programme not so pleasant as the last." Of 
course all of this must have been done under the law of Judge 
Lynch, and as the newspaper seemed to regard it as a cute way of 
disposing of such matters, it is presumable that public sentiment also 
approved of it. With this and other precedents in mind, somebody 
will shoot his neighbor for invading his orchard ; some lover send 
cold lead into the heart of his rival ; and some fellow, in a bar-room 
brawl, plunge the fatal knife into the breast of his adversary ; for 
each one feels that the object of his dislike should be speedily put 
out of the way, and that killing is not, in all cases, morally and 
legally wrong. 
^ It is urged by many that capital punishment restrains people from 



BRUTALITY AND INHUMANITY. 201 

committing crimes for which that penalty is inflicted: but statistics 
show that more murders are committed in Massachusetts where the 
death-penalty is rigidly administered, than in Wisconsin where it 
has been for several years abolished. People laboring under violent 
passion seldom pause to consider consequences ; while, as before 
remarked, the fact that public opinion and the law approve the tak- 
ing of life in some cases,, affords them an excuse for so doing, for 
they frantically imagine, for the moment, that there never was so 
great a provocation — never a better cause for the adoption of extreme 
measures. 

The death-penalty, happily, is becoming unpopular, though too 
slowly. In the earlier period of man's history, a murderer was pur- 
sued and slain by the friend of the murdered man. The early 
Hebrews punished blasphemy, disobedience to parents, desecration 
of the Sabbath, idolatry, witchcraft, and many other misdemeanors, 
with death. The Athenians considered people guilty of open dis- 
respect for religious rites or popular faith deserving of the death- 
penalty. From those earlier periods to the present time, public 
sentiment has been slowly, but steadily, undergoing a wholesome 
change, and laws have, accordingly, been made more humane. It 
is. however, less than one hundred years since a woman was hung 
on Boston Common for snatching a bonnet and reticule from a lady 
on one of the streets leading from Fort Hill. It was pronounced a 
clear case of highway robbery, upon which charge she was con- 
victed, and for which the penalty was death. To-day. in New York, 
only treason, murder, and homicidal arson are visited with death. 

The death-penalty, according to Gen. N. M. Curtis, was abolished 
in Michigan in 1847. in Rhode Island in 1852. in Wisconsin in 1853, 
and in Iowa in 1872. In one or two of these States there have been 
some changes allowing the jury to decide if in any case the death- 
penalty should be executed. In regard to Wisconsin. Governor 
Washburn, when occupying the executive chair, said: "It is twenty 
years since the abolition of capital punishment. No State." he 
added, ' ; can show a greater freedom from homicidal crime.'' Crime 
decreased instead of increased with the growth of the State. The 
statistics of Rhode Island bearing on this matter are equally favor- 
able to the abolition of the death-penalty. They show hi all the 
States that have done away with these barbarous methods that con- 
victions are more easily obtained, and that a far less number of 



202 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

capital crimes are committed within their boundaries as compared 
with contiguous States wherein the death-penalty hangs merci- 
lessly over the head of the murderer. The difficulty in convicting 
those who are charged with murder under the existing statutes in 
the majority of States is illustrated in the following facts gathered 
by General Curtis: "In 1885 there were 1,808 murders, only 108 exe- 
cutions, while there were 181 lynchings. In 1886, 1,499 murders, 
only eighty-three executions, and 133 lynchings. In 1887, 2,333 
murders, seventy nine executions, and 123 lynchings. In 1888, 2,184 
murders, eighty-seven executions, and 144 lynchings. In 1889, 3,567 
murders, ninety- eight executions, and 175 lynchings. A little 
over 3 per cent, of the murderers are legally executed, while the 
efficiency of Judge Lynch's court seems to be from two to three 
times as great. It is worthy of note, that Judge Lynch's proceedings 
are wholly carried on within the limits of capital States." 

If we cast our eyes abroad we shall find confirmation of the views 
of those who advocate the abolition of capital punishment. " Ex- 
amine, " says General Curtis, "the criminal statistics of Switzerland, 
Holland, Belgium, Tuscany and Portugal, and you will find homi- 
cidal crimes have lessened since the abolition of the death-penalty." 

Those who have given attention to the subject are impressed with 
the conviction that the death- penalty has no deterrent influence 
upon the criminal mind. "The pretext of warning," says Prof. 
Alexander Wilder, M.D., "is gossamer. The experience of England 
demonstrated that the more capital punishment was resorted to, 
the more occasion was found for it. Indeed, the severest courts 
and the most rigidly enforced penalties are found on pirate ships, 
yet we hardly look to such a community for personal security. 
There is something in the familiarity with bloodshed that maddens 
men to be murderers. * * * Children reading or hearing particu- 
lars of an execution imitate it in their play. Men attending such 
an occurrence are maddened and made murderous in temper. This 
fact has led to the executing of men in private with only witnesses 
enough to make sure that the work has been properly done. Yet 
if it were so holy, so religious, so necessary for an example the 
logic is inevitable that executions ought to be public and that 
every man, woman, and child ought to be encouraged if not forced 
to attend them for the sake of the moral influence." 

In New York it was attempted to exclude from the daily press all 



BRUTALITY AND INHUMANITY. 203 

descriptions of the events of the death-chamber when the electric 
chair succeeded the gallows. This was found to be impracticable, 
and the reading public is served up with a chapter of horrors when- 
ever a condemned man is shocked to death. It seems difficult for 
the mind of man to devise any means of killing criminals humanely. 
Electricity is clearly a disappointment, and those who are called to 
witness the execution by this method are nearly shocked to death 
themselves by the contortions of a fellow-being strapped to the 
chair while the painful current is doing its murderous work. Better 
than this plan would be to put the unfortunate man in a car and 
sink it to the bottom of a river, as the pound-master used to drown 
dogs, for we should at least be saved the horror of beholding the 
victim in his last agonies ! But there can be no humane or ele- 
vating device for perpetrating judicial murder. 

When statute law ceases to provide physical torture as a punish- 
ment for crime, we may reasonably hope to see less cruelty exhibited 
by man toward his fellow-man, and to the lower orders of animal 
life. Remove this barbaric example from high places and the influ- 
ence will be Christianizing to the whole human family ; and with 
this regeneration of man, even the ferocity of beasts will ultimately 
be subdued by the magnetic power of benevolence and fraternal 
love. This is not too much to hope for by those who heartily believe 
in the predicted millennium ; but let us not lose sight of the sanitary 
motive for reform in this particular. Let every one remember that 
all cruelty, and all inhumanity is not only felt by the victim thereof, 
but by all good men and women who are cr lizant of the violence 
or unkindness, and that their nervous systems are seriously impaired 
by all that is commonly and correctly denominated ' ; Shocking," and 
that the perpetrator suffers physically, to some extent, in consequence 
of the allowed presence of the passions which instigate him to com- 
mit the offence. Let me also add that it would greatly conduce to 
health of nerve, if people of delicate organizations would suppress 
the morbid taste or curiosity which leads them to witness a stage, or 
real tragedy ; which makes them attentive readers of a tragical story, 
or accounts of actual murder ; which induces them to apply to the 
sheriff for permission to witness the dying convulsions of a convicted 
murderer, or fly to the newspaper for the harrowing description of 
the last moments of the condemned man. Let us rather try, so far 
&s possible, to turn away our eyes from the bloody acts of depraved 



204: CAUSES OF NBRTOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

human nature and barbaric laws, and thus preserve our nerves in 
tranquillity while watching and applauding the examples of the good, 
and trying to make kindness of heart a quality of earnest and uni- 
versal aspiration. 

Wealth. 

Wealth, with its attendant dissipations, is a prolific source of ner- 
vous derangements and blood-impurities. Many physiologists have 
described money as the u elixir of both 

Fig. 60. , 

mind and body." Dr. Hall, in his Journal 
of Health remarks as follows :— 

" This idea of the hygienic value of 
money on men is strikingly illustrated in 
the report of M. Vallerme. secretary of the 
poor-house commissioners in Havre, where 
the average age of the rich is twelve years 
greater than that of the poor. Thus, 1,088 
prosperous persons died at an average age 
of 42 years; 4,791 of the middling classes 
at 29 years; and 19,849 poor at 20 years." 
Now these statistics, at first glance, look 
like "knock-down arguments;" but those 
who argue from them that wealth is a promoter of health and lon- 
gevity, overlook one important consideration which strikes at the 
very root of their philosophy, to wit : health begets wealth, instead 
of wealth teg etting health. It must be remembered that a large pro- 
portion of mankind is born into the world with hereditary disease or 
enfeebled constitution, which disqualifies them for the active pursuits 
of life, and consequently, unless they become heirs to wealth they 
must live and die poor. Look over our country now, and learn the 
history of its wealthy men ; what do we find ? two-thirds at least 
have been the architects of their own fortunes. They have amassed 
their wealth by that indomitable perseverance and industry which 
they could only have maintained under the encouragement of vigor- 
ous physical organization. What chance has the invalid to gain 
wealth, or even a competency? He is interrupted in his business 
pursuits by the visitations of disease, and the harvests he may reap 
during the intervals of comfortable health, are at once absorbed in 
the expenses of sickness which follows. If, as the statistics indicate, 




WEALTH. 205 

the average age of wealth over poverty is only twelve years, the 
argument is in favor of the latter ; for if, with good health to start 
with, and subsequent wealth to enable them to live as they choose, 
rich people cannot exceed an average of twelve years over a class, a 
majority of which is born in sickness and physical deformity, we 
may justly conclude that wealth, with its usual dissipations, shortens 
the lives of its possessors. Dr. Hall has fallen into the same error 
that many other physiological writers have in treating on this sub- 
ject. 

Men who have been gifted with that mental and physical energy, 
united with extraordinary powers of endurance, which has enabled 
them to stem with success the opposing currents of life, ought to 
live from twenty to fifty years longer than the sickly crew who fol- 
low in their wake with spirited oars to-day, and exhausted strength 
to-morrow. But it appears they can only average twelve more, and 
probably these are obtained from the extraordinary longevity of the 
minority of wealthy men, who have attained remarkable age in con- 
sequence of an adherence to temperate and industrious habits, unal- 
lured by the vices of wealth. 

A few men use riches as if they were a loan from God — strewing 
the paths of indigency and suffering with blessings ; many men value 
riches only because they enable them to live in sluggish idleness — to 
glut their bellies with besotting wines and rich viands — to gratify in 
full measure their stimulated passions, and dazzle the world with 
glittering gew-gaws. The former possess placidity of mind and har- 
mony of body ; the latter, mental uneasiness and physical debility, 
and from the dissipations of these arise the common evils of wealth. 
The mind, under constant excitement, the blood hot with excessive 
stimulus, and the muscles paralyzed with habitual inactivity, cannot 
fail to destroy the tone of the nervous and vascular system. 

There is a happy medium between wealth and poverty, which pro- 
motes physical health and social comfort, and beyond this boundary 
it were well if none could pass. Inasmuch as man can carry nothing 
with him at the close of life except a record of good works, he who 
possesses a competency during life enjoys all the pleasures that money 
can buy, without surfeit. But some wish for wealth to be enabled to 
do good. An excellent lesson for such may be found in the life and 
sayings of Socrates : A Grecian youth, who saw the errors and fol- 
lies of the people, and wished to reform the world, exclaimed : u Oh, 



206 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

that I were rich, and famous as an orator, I would move the world 
so soon ! Here are sins to be plucked up, and truths to be planted. 
Oh, that I could do it all ! I would reform the whole world — and that 
so soon!" Socrates, hearing the youth, said: u Young man, thou 
speakest as silly women. This gospel in plain letters is written for 
all — c Let him that would move the wokld, move first himself.* 
It asketh neither wealth nor fame to live out a noble life. Make thy 
light thy life ; thy thought thy action. Others will come round, and 
follow in thy steps. Thou askest riches to move the world. Foolish 
young man, as thou art, begin now. Reform thy little self, and thou 
hast begun to reform the world. Fear not ; thy work shall nevei 
die." 

The general tendency of wealth is not benevolence, but prodigality, 
selfishness, idleness, and gluttony. There is more true benevolence 
exhibited by the poorest than the wealthiest classes. Hon. Geo. S. 
Hilliard has beautifully remarked — "I confess that increasing years 
bring with them an increasing respect for men who do not succeed in 
life, as those words are commonly used. Heaven is said to be a place 
for those who have not succeeded on earth ; and it is surely true that 
celestial graces do not best thrive and bloom in the hot blaze of 
worldly prosperity. Ill success sometimes arises from a superabun- 
dance of qualities in themselves good — from a conscience too sensi- 
tive, a taste too fastidious, a self-forgetfulness too romantic, a modesty 
too retiring. I will not go so far as to say, with a living poet, that 
the 'world knows nothing of its greatest men,' but there are forms 
of greatness, or at least excellence, which 'die and make no sign;' 
there are martyrs that miss the palm, but not the stake ; there 
are heroes without the laurel, and conquerors without the triumph." 

The view I take of the physical effects of riches is sustained by Dr. 
Channing. He gives it as his opinion that the difference between the 
rich and the poor in regard to physical suffering is not as great as 
has been imagined, in support of which he says: "That some of the 
indigent among us die of scanty food is undoubtedly true ; but vastly 
more die from eating too much than from eating too little ; vastly 
more from excess than from starvation. So as to clothing, many 
shiver from want of defence against the cold ; but there is vastly 
more suffering among the rich from absurd and criminal modes of 
dress which fashion has sanctioned, than among the poor from defi- 
ciency of raiment. Our daughters are oftener brought to the grave 



FAILURES IN BUSINESS. 



207 



by their rich attire, than our beggars by their nakedness. So the 
poor are often over-worked ; but they suffer less than many among 
the rich who have no work to do nor interesting object to fill up life ; 
to satisfy the infinite cravings of man for action. According to our 
present modes of education, how many of our daughters are victims 
of ennui, a misery unknown to the poor, and more intolerable than 
the weariness of excessive toil." 



Failures in Business. 

Of those casualties which, through their depressing influence upon 
the mind, disturb the harmony of the nervous system, there are none, 



Fig. 61. 




OTHELLO'S OCCUPATION GONE. 



which prudence has power to avert, more 
prolific of nervous derangements than 
failures in business. In fact, financial pros- 
perity often sustains men in apparent 
health, whose systems are loaded with 
diseases in embryo, and the first stroke 
of misfortune which causes the brain to 
withhold and consume within itself the 
measure of vital electricity which it habit- 
ually dispenses to the various organs of the 
body, removes the restraining power which 
holds the latent disorders of the system in 
check, and, all at once, the unfortunate 
business-man becomes the tenant of a sick-bed, or the inmate of a 
lunatic asylum. 

The human brain sustains a similar relation to its dependency — 
the body — that the bank does to the commercial world. Its medium 
is not "rags," but vital electricity; and its depositors and patrons 
are not merchants and manufacturers, but organs and functions. 
When trouble overtakes a man, a physiological "panic" ensues, and 
the brain discounts sparingly. If a " run " is made upon it, it par- 
tially or wholly "suspends." The process of digestion and the 
action of the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, etc., are dependent upon 
the vital electric forces emanating from the brain, and when the lat- 
ter is over-exercised with trouble and hard thinking, it reserves its 
electricity for its own use, leaving the body only partially supplied ; 
and if the organs retaliate by denying nourishment to the brain, as 
they .are obliged to do, in a measure, the delicately -organized man 



208 CAUSES OF NERYOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

becomes a lunatic, and the vigorous man, whose system is filled with 
inflammatory matter, a victim to some corporeal disease, acute or 
chronic. 

"Hard times" invariably increase the labors of a physician, 
although they do not always increase the gold in his coffers. A 
bankrupt man is generally an invalid, a prostrate patient, or a men- 
tal imbecile. The commercial revulsion of 1857 increased the num- 
ber of inmates in lunatic asylums more than twenty -five per cent., 
and in Pennsylvania, where its effects were the most immediately 
and severely felt, the Insane Hospital in West Philadelphia, and the 
State Asylum at Harrisburg, were filled to the extent of their accom- 
modations. Such were the commotions between mind and matter, 
that many severed the unhappy relation existing between the two by 
suicide. Failures in that year were numerous, and disease, insanity, 
and suicide increased pro rata. 

Such being the effects of business failures upon the health of a 
people, they should be avoided, as far as possible, by prudence 
and economy. u Live within your means," is an old and good 
proverb, and he who does not, almost invariably brings upon him- 
self nervous derangements which are sure to lead to fatal results. 

Every married man should confide to his wife the real condition 
of his finances. Much is said of the extravagance of married ladies. 
Their conduct is often pronounced the cause of their husbands' ruin. 
Much truth is uttered in such assertions, but not the whole truth. 
Men are apt to represent their pecuniary resources much greater than 
they actually are. As a sequence, wives laugh at their admonitions 
of economy — think their consorts " stingy ■■' — and govern their wants 
by the supposed capacity of their purses. Nothing short of a failure 
reveals to them their insolvency. 

The wife's condition, under the most favorable circumstances, is a 
hard one, and she cannot be blamed for reaching for the good things 
of life, if her husband leads her to believe he is rich, particularly if 
he gives plausibility to her delusion by indulging in such superfluities 
as Havana cigars and expensive wines. 

It is high time that men began to appear to their wives exactly 
what they are, pecuniarily, morally, and socially. Frankness in 
these respects would not only tend to lessen the number of business 
failures, but would greatly diminish the evils of prostitution. But 
deception, in most cases, commences in the moonlight nights before 



FAILURES JN BUSINESS. 209 

marriage, and continues until some pecuniary or physical disaster 
reveals things as they are. This sometimes happens unexpectedly 
early. Fowler gives an amusing illustration in commenting on the 
motive which induces many to marry : — 

u A distinguished young man from the South, making great pre- 
tensions to rank and wealth at home, paid attentions to a young lady 
residing near Xew York Bay, whose father had been very wealthy, 
but owing to reverses had become quite reduced in circumstances* ; 
still, the family maintained their style, and the display of affluence 
equaled fully what it had been in their palmier days, and, by so 
doing, sustained their reputation in society, in order to allow the 
young ladies a better opportunity of settling in life. The new-comer, 
prompted by the desire of securing the prize, and thinking she pos- 
sessed sufficient of the 'needful' to pay all expenses, dashed out in 
fine style, ran into every extravagance, and displayed the fastest and 
most beautiful horses, etc. Finding debts accumulating and becom- 
ing pressing, he hurried on the wedding day, this being the only 
prospect for their discharge. Meanwhile, she, not suspecting that 
he had falsely represented his situation, and delighted at the idea of 
obtaining so liberal and generous a husband, encouraged his expenses, 
and was profuse herself, thinking he had the means to settle the bills. 
They were married — when, to their astonishment and shame, they 
found themselves not only destitute of the means to discharge their lia- 
bilities, but unable to buy the necessary furniture for housekeeping." 

Deception on both sides rather hastened the result in this instance. 
Ilad it only been practised by the gentleman, the lady really possess- 
ing the supposed wealth, the deluded wife would have probably put 
her fortune into a princely establishment, relying on his purse for its 
maintenance, when a failure involving extensive loss would have ulti- 
mately followed. 

There are unquestionably some wives who, with full knowledge 
of their husbands' limited resources, endeavor to vie with their 
wealthiest neighbors, and bring upon their indulgent providers pre- 
mature ruin and death. Such, however, are exceptions, and when 
the grave closes over the victims of their foolish extravagance, they 
bitterly reflect on the errors of their conduct. 

Running in debt to an extent beyond all present prospect of liqui- 
dation, is a common cause of failures in business. This error is 
almost characteristic of the Yankee, whose enterprising spirit leads 



210 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANQEMENTS. 

him to embark in hazardous speculations. His organ of " Hope, ,? 
generally predominates over his ''Causality," and "Caution," and, 
urged on by largely developed propelling faculties, he frequently 
finds himself in deep water, without plank or life-preserver. He is 
too, of all men, least calculated, physically, to endure reverses, for 
although he may succeed, by his indomitable will, in buffeting the 
waves of adversity, his physical health suffers from all such en- 
counters. Here, too, the proverbialist whispers — " Live within your 
means." 

Dishonesty causes many failures. Let one man of extensive repu- 
tation and high standing in the commercial world, turn trickster 
and defraud a bank or railroad of a large sum of money, and the 
whole community suffers. Public confidence is shaken. Men who 
have contracted debts with a good prospect of being able to pay, can- 
not extricate themselves from an unexpected dilemma. Failure after 
failure follows in the wake of the defaulter, destroying the prospects 
of many careful as well as careless men. Do defaulters ever reflect 
that their dishonesty carries thousands to premature graves ? Obser- 
vation proves such to be the fact. But reckless men seldom look at 
consequences, and if they can only raise themselves from the ashes 
of a financial ruin, which their dishonesty has brought upon a com- 
munity, their humane curiosity is not sufficiently awakened to inquire 
how many have been buried in it. Burns truly said, " Man's inhu- 
manity to man makes countless thousands mourn." 

Commercial men, who are supposed to regulate the monetary 
affairs of the world, should realize the powerful influence they exert 
over the physical well-being of the race. Recklessness by the few 
should not be tolerated by the many, or at least, not countenanced. 
Every "false step" brings with it multitudinous failures, and failures 
in business produce depression of mind, and depression of mind 
disturbs the harmony of the nervous system, and this leads to men- 
tal and corporeal diseases of every variety, according to the predis- 
position of victims. Do not strive to acquire sudden fortune. Re- 
member that contentment is wealth, and that there is no real wealth 
without it. He who passes through life with a sufficiency of food 
and clothing, and a contented heart, has the benefit of all the wealth 
the world possesses. 



EXCESSIVE STUDY. 



211 



Fig. 62. 




Excessive Study- 

"The mind, just like the stomach, takes 
Its food for pleasure, profit, use, 
Reflection all the virtue makes, 
And serves it for its gastric juice." 

The niind may be overloaded as well as the stomach. Reading 
too constantly and studying too closely, is as injurious to the 
mind and nervous system as is eating too 
much to the stomach and blood. The back 
doors of many of our colleges and semina- 
ries open into lunatic asylums and cemete- 
ries. The literary world is full of physical 
wrecks, and many a mind has become 
bankrupt by trying to acquire knowledge 
too fast, like the ambitious business-man 
who fails, through his over-exertions to 
get rich. Avarice for knowledge is gen- 
erally more successful than avarice for 
money, but while the failure of the former 
leads to an empty head, that of the latter 
only leads to an empty pocket. Every man is born into the 
world with a certain amount of mental capacity which will admit 
of cultivation, but not of forced growth. By gentle discipline the 
mental powers of a man will gradually develop, and reach maturity 
as early as good physical health will permit, but when the student 
attempts to crowd his mind with learning all at once, he not only 
fails to reach the high summit of his inordinate ambition, but often 
falls a b el pi ess imbecile. 

"Professor Houghton, of Trinity College, Dublin," says a news- 
paper writer, "has published some curious chemical computations 
respecting the relative amounts of physical exhaustion produced by 
mental and manual labor. According to these chemical estimates, 
two hours of severe mental study, abstract from the human system 
as much vital strength as is taken from it by an entire day of mere 
hand-work. This fact, which seems to rest upon strictly scientific 
laws, shows that the men who do brain-work should be careful, first, 
not to overtask themselves by too continuous exertion, and secondly, 
that they should not omit to take physical exercise each day suffi- 



THE STUDENT AT HI 



212 CAUSES OF NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS. 

cient to restore the equilibrium between the nervous and muscular 
systems. 

Studies, to be improving, must be pursued with a relish, the same 
as good edibles are sought after by the epicure. If the mental appe- 
tite is too craving, gratify it sparingly, as every man should his cor- 
po?eal appetite ; if too dull, nurse it gently. An observance of this 
rule will prevent our institutions of learning from sending thou- 
sands of mental dyspeptics into the world to flash and flicker with 
intellectual light, and then go out like a used-up tallow candle. 



Fig. 63. 



Excessive Labor. 

" The night is come, but not too soon,-— 
The laborer's hand is weary growing." 

Foolish pride and aspirations for wealth more frequently than 
necessity, drive men to excessive labor. Both the mental and phys- 
ical system demand rest, and inflict a 
penalty on the individual who refuses to 
grant it. Not only has nature ordained 
night as a season of repose, but the God of 
nature has commanded that one day in each 
week shall be observed as a period of rest 
for all human beings, and has so impressed 
the necessity of such a regulation on the hu- 
man mind, that, however diverse may be the 
religious opinions of different people, all 
have a day professedly set apart for that 
purpose. Thus, Sunday is appointed by 
the Christians, Monday by the Grecians, 
Tuesday by the Persians, Wednesday by 
the Assyrians, Thursday by the Egyptians, 
Friday by the Turks, and Saturday by the Jews. The strict observ- 
ance of the day is, however, unusual. The business man, although 
he be a constant attendant at church, is apt to look over his accounts 
and lay down his programme for the week, while the literary char- 
acter meditates on what he will write or speak, regardless of the 
sentiment of the Roman philosopher, Seneca, who said that " the 
mind of man is like the fields, the fertility of which depends on their 
being allowed a certain period of rest at the proper season." And 
a great deal of this over work is for the frivolous purpose of driving 




THE OVERWORKED MAN IN HIS 
COUNTING-ROOM. 



MELANCHOLY. %\% 

a prettier span of horses than some neighbor, wearing a finer coat, 

holding larger estates, or possessing more of that attractive i 
modity — gold! The best remedy for this evil is contentment, This 
should he cultivated, for it is wealth. A contented man with fifty 
cents in his pocket, and a clear conscience, is far wealthier than the 
millionaire, whose Sunday, week-day. and night dreams are all abont 
gold, and how more may be accumulated. Dismiss your avocations, 
all who can. at night and on Sundays, and acquire contentment if 
you would preserve your nervous systems in health, and your minds 
in happy placidity. There are. it is true, many so pressed with want 
that they can hardly do so. Our sewing-women are the most unfor- 
tunate representatives of this class: but even they would be abJ 
accomplish more in the end by religiously observing some hours for 
rest, divided between sleep and out-of-door exercise. Sickness, and 
consequent compulsion to entirely abstain from work for weeks and 
months, would not occur so often, if those who are obliged to support 
themselves by the needle would pursue this rule. A healthful position 
can hardly be maintained in plying the needle steadily, m conse- 
quence of which the activity of the vital organs is interrupted, and 
the circulation of the blood impaired. Exercise of some kind every 
day. and a reasonable amount of repose every night, are absolutely 
necessary to preserve health of body and rnmd. To assist in preserv- 
ing the strength of the eye, it has been wisely suggested by the Sur- 
geon of the Royal Ophthalmic Hospital of London, that "needle- 
women, embroiderers, etc.. should work in rooms hung with green. 
and have green blinds and curtains to the windows. In China, this 
rule is adopted by the exquisite embroiderers of that country.' 



Melancholy. 

Some writer has facetiously remarked that "there are many peo- 
ple who keep pet griefs as certain other people keep lap-dogs, that 
they carry about with them wherever they go. These are the people 
who feel the best when they feel the worst, and are never so happy 
as when they are utterly miserable. Like the maiden ' who milked 
the cow with the crumpled horn.' they are always 'all forlorn/ and 
they keep a figurative dog to be * tossed,' and a cat to be -worried.' 
and a rat to be * killed ' upon every possible occasion. They turn down 
the leaf at, c Oh, that my head were watery and mine eyes a fountain 



214 CAUSES OE NERVOUS AND BLOOD DERANGEMENTS 



of tears,' as if griefs were like bulrushes, and flourished best in wet 
places." 

Melancholy seriously disturbs the circulation of the nervo-electric 
•pig. 64. forces, and causes an undue consumption 

of the latter in the brain. Melancholy 
people are almost invariably dyspeptic, be- 
cause a full supply of the electric element 
is withheld from the pneumo-gastric nerve, 
which conveys from the brain the force 
that gives tone and activity to the diges- 
tive organs. Despondency of mind, in fact, 
affects all the organs of the system, more 
or less, on the same principle; the brain 
consuming, in its excitement, more than 
its natural allowance of nervo-electricity, 
and, as a consequence, withholding the 
vital element from the various organs which are dependent upon it 
for healthful action. 

Cheerfulness should be cultivated by every one. It is an antidote 
for many ills; and a laugh is of immense value, physiologically. It 
produces an electric effect throughout the whole system. It is felt in 
no one place particularly, but every nerve, muscle, and fibre is simul- 
taneously titillated with the electric flash from the brain. All who 
have melancholy friends should try to excite them to laughter. A 
few hearty laughs will cure the most desperate case of melancholy. 
It «is a Christian duty to look cheerful, and a blessed privilege to 
laugh. "Away with melancholy." 




THE MELANCHOLY MAN. 



Conclusion. 
Eeally the only melancholy which we may be excused for indulging, 
is that which must come over every one in observing the general ill- 
health with which we are surrounded, by the unfortunate customs 
and habits which we recklessly observe and blindly pursue. They 
are so multitudinous, and so impertinently insinuating, that they may 
be compared to the insects of summer. They creep into a man's 
hat ; they crawl into his boots ; they nestle in woman's waistbands, 
and they conceal themselves in her trailing drapery. They fall into 
the food we eat, and drop into the liquids we drink. With the 
greediness of fabled vampires, they suck out the little brain some 



CONCLUSION. 



215 



people bring into the world with them, leaving a sting that destroys 
all moral sense. They penetrate not only the tenement basement 
but the drawing-rooms of the affluent. They mark the faces of the 
poor with pock- pits, and cause the rich to hobble about on gold- 
mounted crutches. Science must find a cure for their sting, and 
common sense must devise means for their extermination. 




A CURE FOR MELANCHOLY. 



CHAPTER III. 



PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 




" If half the thought and sentiment that are spent on the subject of death, were be- 
stowed on the practical duty of strengthening, lengthening, and ennobling life, we should 
be more fit to live worthily and die contentedly."— Harriet Martineau. 



HIS proposition may sound shocking to many, but 
it is a living truth ; and it may be added, that if 
half the time and money expended by the sick to 
recover health had been timely devoted to the 
preservation of health, life would be a more 
enjoyable and less expensive luxury. The trite maxim that 
" An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," applies 
with greater force, in this connection, than it can in any 
other. If people would properly consult temperaments in 
marriage ; then, if they would take some thought and pains to 
prepare themselves to become the healthy parents of healthy 
children; and then again, if the children of such careful progenitors 
would take reasonable care of the valuable legacy bequeathed to 
them, after a few generations, the good people could tip their hats 
with a sarcastic good-bye to the doctors, use patent nostrums for 
poisoning troublesome insects, and limit the business of the under- 
taker to the burial of those who die by accident or old age. A writer 
in the Atlantic Magazine says: — "In our civilized sedentary life, he 
who would have good health must fight for it. Many people have 
the insolence to become parents, who have no right to aspire to that 
dignity; children are born who have no right to exist; and skill 
preserves many whom Nature is eager to destroy. Civilized man, 
too, has learned the trick of heading off some of the diseases that 
used to sweep over whole regions of the earth, and lay low the 
weakliest tenth of a population. Secondly, while the average dura- 
tion of human life has been increased, the average tone of human 



PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 217 

health has heen lowered. Fewer die, but fewer are quite well. 
Many of us breathe vitiated air, and keep nine-tenths of the body 
quiescent for twenty-two or twenty- three hours out of every twenty- 
four. Immense numbers cherish gloomy, depressing opinions, and 
convert the day, set apart for rest and recreation, into one which 
aggravates some of the worst tendencies of the week, and counter- 
acts none of them. Half the population of the United States violate 
the law of nature every time they take sustenance, and the children 
go, crammed with indigestion, to sit six hours in hot, ill-ventilated, 
or unventilated school-rooms. Except in a few large towns, the 
bread and meat are almost universally inferior, or bad ; and the 
only viands that are good, are those which ought not to be eaten at 
all. At most family tables, after a course of meat, which has the 
curious properties of being both soft and tough, a profusion of inge- 
nious puddings, pies, cakes, and other abominable trash, disagrees 
with the young, disgusts the mature, and injures all. From bodies 
thus imperfectly nourished we demand excessive exertions of all 
kinds." 

The proprietor of an expensive steam-engine would never permit 
such a " Gump ?1 to take care of it, as he allows to take care of his 
own delicate physical machinery. He will not employ an engineer 
who does not fully understand the entire mechanism of the engine. He 
will employ one who knows when to increase and when to decrease 
the amount of fuel ; when to let off some of the superfluous steam, and 
when to augment it; when to clean out the ashes and cinders ; and 
when to add a lubricator to all the various parts subject to friction. 
Well, now, the human system is a thousand times more intricate 
and delicate in its mechanism than the steam-engine, and yet peo- 
ple all over the world are "running it," who know nothing of its 
complicated parts — are in absolute ignorance of the functions of 
many of them; and are entirely incapable of selecting the proper 
food (fuel) to keep it in first-rate order. 

To the ear of an observant, reflective physiologist, it sounds almost 
like an insult to our Creator to say that Providence has taken this 
or that young relative or friend from the family of which it is a 
dearly loved member. An anonymous writer disposes of this 
fallacy with the following pointed interrogatories and sensible re- 
plies : — " Take for example, the young girl bred delicately in a 
town ; shut up in a nursery in her childhood, in a boarding-school 
10 



218 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

through her youth, never accustomed to air or exercise — two 
things that the law of God makes essential to health. She marries ; 
her strength is inadequate to meet the demand upon it. Her beauty 
fades early. ' What a strange Providence that a mother should he 
taken in the midst of life from her children!' Was it Providence? 
No ! Providence has assigned her three-score and ten years, a term 
long enough to rear her children, and to see her children's children ; 
but she did not obey the laws on which life depends, and, of course, 
she lost it. 

"A father, too, is cut off in the midst of his days. He is a useful 
and distinguished citizen, and eminent in his profession. A general 
buzz rises on every side, of 'What a striking Providence!' This 
man has been in the habit of studying half the night, of passing his 
days in his office and the courts, of eating luxurious dinners, and of 
drinking various wines. He has every day violated the laws on 
which health depends. Did Providence cut him off? The evil rarely 
ends here. The diseases of the father are often transmitted ; and a 
feeble mother rarely leaves behind her vigorous children. 

" It has been customary in some of our cities for young ladies to 
walk in thin shoes and delicate stockings in mid-winter. A healthy 
blooming girl thus dresses in violation of Heaven's laws, pays the 
penalty — a checked circulation, cold, fever, and death, ' What a sad 
Providence!' exclaim her friends. Was it Providence, or her own 
useless and sad folly ? 

" A beautiful young bride goes night after night to parties made in 
honor of her marriage. She has a slight sore throat, perhaps, and 
the weather is inclement; by day her shoulders are loaded with furs, 
but on these occasions she must wear her neck and arms bare, for 
who ever heard of a bride in a close evening dress? She is con- 
sequently seized with an inflammation of the lungs, and the grave 
receives her before her bridal days are over. ' What a Providence !' 
exclaims the world. Alas ! Did she not cut the thread of life her 
own self? 

"A girl in the country exposed to our changeful climate, gets a new 
bonnet instead of getting a flannel garment. A rheumatism is the 
consequence. Should the girl sit down tranquilly, with the idea that 
Providence has sent the rheumatism upon her, or should she charge 
it on her own vanity, and avoid the folly in future ? Look, my 
young friends, at the mass of diseases that are incurred by intemper- 



PRETENTION OF DISEASE. 219 

ance in eating and drinking, in study or in business; by neglect of 
exercise, cleanliness, and pure air; by indiscreet dressing, tight 
lacing, etc., and all is quietly imputed to Providence! Is there not 
impiety as well as ignorance in this ? Were the physical laws 
strictly observed from generation to generation, there wonld be an 
end to the frightful diseases that cut life short, and a long list of 
maladies that make life a torment or trial. It is the opinion of those 
who best understand the physical system, that this wonderful 
machine, the body, this - goodly temple, would gradually decay, and 
men would die as if falling asleep.' " 

We should look upon our Heavenly Father as the author of all 
good, and if we will but observe and think a little, we shall discover 
that nearly all physical sufferiug and premature death arise from our 
own follies and ignorance. u How about the loss of our dear baby?*' 
some afflicted mother may inquire: "It surely had committed no 
physical sin ; and I was careful in feeding and clothing it ; and 
scarcely allowed it out of my sight." Ah, woman, you must look 
farther back for the causes of your infant's early death. They may 
have been as remote as the violations of the laws of health by its 
grand-parents, or great grand-parents. They may have originated in 
your ignorance, or willful non-observance of those laws which 
govern healthy propagation, and of which I shall shortly speak. 
Health and longevity great". y depend upon what is termed a good 
constitution at the outset, ^any a baby is conceived with the germ 
of disease and early death, and it strikes me that the kind hand of 
Divine Providence has little to do with the removal of such a child. 
The disease may not be apparent at its birth. It may even have a 
healthy appearing skin and plump body, while in its blood lurks a 
poison or taint of disease which needs only the contact of the atmos- 
phere of scarlet fever, measles, or whooping-cough, to develop. 
Its blood may be possessed of properties which render it susceptible 
to colds, resulting in croup, diphtheria, inflammation of the brain, 
or something equally fatal. I have picked open the fairest of 
rose-buds, and found beneath its delicate leaves, worms that would 
have prevented it from ever blossoming. I have eaten apples that 
had the external appearance of soundness and the rich complexion 
of perfection, which were rotten at the core. You cannot always 
conclude that your children are constitutionally healthy because they 
are fat and fair. Indeed, scrofulous babies are usually remarkable 



220 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

for clearness of skin and plumpness of body. I shall therefore tell 
you, in the opening essay of this chapter, 

How to Have Healthy Babies. 

With some childless people, I am aware, it is a question of chief 
Importance, "How to have babies at all?" All such persons I 
would refer to Hints to the Childless, in another part of this work. 
The relevant question to be considered here is, what means are ne- 
cessary to secure healthy offspring when people are physically capa- 
ble of healthy reproduction. The human family is not sufficiently 
interested in it, I know, but the physiologist should, nevertheless, 
endeavor to improve the physical and moral condition of the human 
race by calling attention to it. If boys and girls, and men and 
women were marketable in the civilized world, as they are in some 
eemi-barbarous countries ; if they could be sold like horses, cattle, 
and sheep, the commercial and practical spirit of the age would, 
irresistibly demand an improvement in the stock of human beings, 
as it demands, and is busy in securing, an improved stock of domes- 
tie animals. Celebrated stock-raisers in Europe and America, and 
many of our scientific farmers, are superintending with much care in 
field, stall, and pen, the propagation of fine breeds of cattle, horses, 
sheep, and pigs, while at home, their offspring are creatures of acci* 
dent; conceived, in many instances, under circumstances which 
render them inevitably puny, sickly, and ill-natured, if not constitu- 
tionally immoral. Now, certainly, an argument is not necessary here 
to show that we should devote as much attention to the proper 
propagation of children as we do to the breeding of calves and colts. 
I shall, therefore, defer no longer in coming directly to the advice X 
proposed to give in this essay. 

My first proposition embodies the proscription of a certain class. 
People who are physically infirm should not have children while 
such infirmities exist, because they are almost certain to transmit 
them to offspring, and the combined infirmities of each parent 
(when both are diseased) frequently result in most lamentable conse- 
quences to the innocent victims of this indiscretion. In some 
semi-barbarous countries, diseased and malformed children are de- 
stroyed as soon as born, or when the abnormal manifestations appear, 
and to the little sufferers this seeming inhumanity may be in reality 
a mercy ; but disregard of the true laws of propagation, followed by 



HOW TO HAVE HEALTHY BABIES. 221 

such wholesale butchery of the products, would forever keep a people 
in barbarism, notwithstanding their efforts to preserve only the best 
specimens of humanity they might find themselves able to produce. 
It may be hard for the hopelessly incurable to deny themselves the 
pleasure of becoming parents; but it is questionable if this self-denial 
brings more suffering to their philoprogenitive nature, than the 
.sickness and early death of offspring inflict upon them, while 
their enlightened, moral and benevolent faculties — if they possess 
such — must upbraid them for the evil they achieve by bringing 
into the world, a little, living, conscious being, susceptible to the keenest 
suffering, immediately coupled with physical derangements only capa- 
ble of inflicting pain. To do such a deed premeditately would require 
the fiendish attributes of a demon. It is the ignorance of infirm 
parents which brings into the world such pitiful specimens of hu- 
manity ; and it is to the credit of the intelligence and benevolence of 
some hopelessly diseased men and women, that they do not become 
parents, for the reason, simply, that they do not wish to bring chil- 
dren into the world certain heirs to their own sufferings. 

There is, however, a large class, embracing invalids of both sexes, 
who think themselves hopelessly incurable, when really, under prop- 
er treatment, they might be restored to a comfortable degree of 
health. Physicians of the reformed school of practice often meet 
these wrecks of the old-school methods, and triumphantly set them 
on their feet. In some cases these people may not attain firm health, 
but if they will unite with those of opposite temperament, having 
perfect health, and have connection for the purpose of offspring 
only at such times as they feel in the most buoyant physical and 
spiritual condition, they may be blessed with healthy children, if 
other necessary rules given in this chapter are observed. The prop- 
er combination of temperaments is a very important consideration. 
If the parents themselves possess perfection of health, and they have 
coalesced without reference to physical adaptation, the children 
may be physically as imperfect as they would be, if they were the 
products of diseased progenitors. In Part Fourth this subject of 
temperamental adaptation will be presented in suoh a way as to 
afford a guide to those contemplating marriage. 

The second proposition embraces hints to those who, having health, 
do not make the most of it in the act of propagation. People claim- 
ing entire immunity from disease, have seasons of feeling less vigor- 



222 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

ous and vivacious than at others, and unfortunately for offspring, 
coition is sometimes resorted to at such periods, by way of experi- 
ment, to see if better feeling may not be induced. If more conve- 
nient, a glass of wine, beer, or other stimulant, or a narcotic is taken 
for the purpose ; but if the drug fail, the exhilarating delirium of sex- 
ual excitement is sought ; and if offspring is produced, it not only re- 
ceives at the moment of conception the organic impression of the phys- 
ical derangements leading to the momentary depression of the parent, 
but probably also, the embryonic formation of vitiated appetite and 
passion. With people of this class, offspring should not be acci- 
dental, and propagation should only be allowed when they are in the 
enjoyment of their best physical and spiritual moods. 

My third proposition possesses something of value to people who are 
subject to periods of fretfulness; to attacks of melancholy; to fits 
of violent temper ; to quarrelsomeness, etc. Such persons should be 
made acquainted with the fact that if, while under the influence of 
any such feelings or passions, or for some time after they have been 
subdued, the germ of a new being is planted in the womb, it is liable 
to be marked or influenced by them. The settling up of a matrimo- 
nial misunderstanding is, for instance, a most inopportune time to 
beget offspring, yet the conception of many a child has celebrated 
the conclusion of a family fracas. It should be understood that it 
takes time for the system to recover from the effects of bad passions, 
and that the incoming good feeling, incident to u making-up," does 
not for some hours erase the impressions produced on the nervous 
system, the fluids of the body, and the germs inhabiting the pro- 
creative organs of either sex. In my first chapter I have spoken of 
how all the organs and secretions are affected by the various passions 
of the mind, and that matter need not be repeated here. With people 
belonging to the class under consideration, offspring should not be 
accidental, and conception should take place only when both parties 
have been in good temper, spirit, and health for at least a period of 
twenty-four or thirty-six hours. 

My fourth proposition should be heeded by the woman pregnant and 
those who are associated with her during this important period. She 
should avail herself of every means at her command to preserve her 
physical health unimpaired ; and she should avoid all influences cal- 
culated to fret, annoy, or distress her. He who is to be the recognized 
father of her child, should employ every resource within his reach to 



HOW TO HAVE HEALTHY BABIES. 



22S 



preserve tranquillity of mind and vigor of body to this woman, who is 
freighted with a germ which is developing the soul and body of a new 
human being. Critical 
period ! How greatly it 
decides, and, too, how 
early, whether the earth- 
ly existence of the future 
man or woman shall be 
happy or miserable. — 
Shall the foetus of to-day 
wish twenty or fifty 
years hence that it had 
never been born ? The 
friends of the pregnant 
woman, and those of 
all who surround her, 
should be united to pre- 
vent this. She may main- 
tain her physical health 
by seeking for residence 
such locations as are pro- 
verbially healthful ; liv- 
ing and sleeping in well- 
ventilated rooms ; care- 
fully watching diet — eat- 
ing only those things 
which seem to agree 
with stomach and mind ; 
avoiding excessive and 
irregular eating ; exer- 
cising daily in the open air without reference to the criticism of 
Mrs. Grundy on one corner, or the smoking loafer on the other ; 
observing habits of personal cleanliness ; and, in brief, by patient, 
constant watchfulness, doing every thing within her power to pro- 
mote a feeling of health, and avoiding every thing which in any way 
produces the contrary effect. Mental tranquillity may be maintained 
by carefully keeping up the physical health ; by association with 
those who are cheerful and entertaining ; by reading books and news- 
papers of an interesting and elevating character ; by doing acts of 




Jl cluster of babies. 

No. 1 represents poor scrofulous little Job — the off- 
spring of parents who ought not to have had children. 
No. 2 represents suffering John — the offspring of parents 
in an unhealthy condition. No. 3 is fretful Peter — the 
child of fretful, bad tempered parentage. No. 4 is poor 
Benny — the child of sensuality, liquor, and tobacco. 
No. 5 is healthy Charley — the fortunate offspring of 
healthy and intelligent parents. 



224 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

kindness and benevolence when opportunity offers ; by prayerfulness, 
if a religionist • by communion with God and nature if a moralist ; 
by avoiding jealousy, selfishness, peevishness, and outbursts of tem- 
per; by indulging in the passion of hatred toward no one; and by 
cultivating a love of humanity. The more closely a pregnant woman 
can observe the foregoing rules, the more nearly she will succeed in 
giving birth to a being that shall possess at once a healthy, vigorous 
brain, a happy temper, and a spirit of philanthropy. 

There are some general hints to be observed which could not be 
properly classed under any of the foregoing heads. Conception should 
not be allowed to take place without a preparatory season of absti- 
nence from sexual indulgence, in order that the procreative systems 
of both parties may be free from morbid excitability and exhaustion. 
It should not occur when the muscular system is exhausted by over- 
work or exercise. It should not happen immediately, or for some 
time, after eating, when the nervous forces are being largely employed 
by the digestive organs in doing their work, and consequently refuse 
to be sufficiently engrossed to perforin the function of reproduction 
as well as the procreative organs are capable of performing the 
latter function when the stomach is at rest, and can "lend a 
hand." It should not happen while the mother is already nursing, 
thereby causing a division of nourishment between two, whicli is suf- 
ficient for one only ; for it must be borne in mind that the pregnant 
mother has to feed the growing unborn babe, as well as the one in the 
arms. It should be known to the reader that some women conceive 
during the period of lactation, and that this evil should be guarded 
against. Nor should it be allowed to occur in less than two or three 
years after the birth of a child ; and in some cases, five years should 
intervene between the ages of the children, for the mother to suffi- 
ciently regain a physical condition capable of imparting health to 
one in utero-life. 

During the period of pregnancy, excessive sexual indulgence unduly 
develops, in the unborn child, the passion which leads so many 
young people to a destructive vice. Even amative excitement, on the 
part of the mother-, without indulgence, has a tendency to do this. 
She should consequently avoid such food and drink as stimulate the 
amative impulse. When the impulse becomes strong — when the de- 
sire is so great as to take possession of the mind, it is then better that 
it should be gratified, lest the foetus be marked by this unsatisfied 



HOW TO HAVE HEALTHY BABIES. 225 

appetite, thereby producing the very evil sought to be avoided. Sleep- 
ing in separate beds may be advisable in some cases, to prevent the 
tendency to excitement by contact. Association with deformed peo- 
ple, or those having birth-marks, or diseases which cause unnatural 
manifestations and expressions, should be avoided so far as practica- 
ble, to avert the danger of marking the unborn child with any of 
these peculiarities. Cramped positions in sitting, stooping, bending, 
and sleeping; falls and contusions; and violent coition in sexual in- 
tercourse, should be cautiously avoided, to save the precious little 
being in the womb from displacement of its limbs, or spinal distor- 
tion, which might result in permanent physical deformity ; for al- 
though remarkably well protected by surrounding membranes, fluids, 
and the muscular walls of the uterus, the foetus is sometimes deformed 
by one or more of these causes. 

Lastly, when labor-pains commence and the doctor is called in, 
do not urge or allow him to hasten a work which old Dame Nature 
is usually able to do herself, without intervention or aid. If you do, 
you may injure the child. Especially is this danger imminent if in- 
struments are employed. Women in labor are naturally impatient, 
and surrounding friends must not be too much in sympathy with this 
impatience. Physicians are often impelled by the solicitations of 
those present, to make the period of labor as brief as possible ; and it 
would be well for all to know, that this effort to help matters along 
not unfrequently results in retarding them, and increasing the suffer- 
ings of the patient. It is better to give her moral encouragement ; 
cheer her up ; keep up a running conversation, that will divert her 
from the discomfort of the moment ; but keep hands off — at least do 
not employ them locally to hasten the birth. It is well for her to 
move about, for by exercise and bodily motion labor may be safe- 
ly accelerated. In some parts of Mexico, the native women fasten 
ropes in the beams above their heads, and, taking one in each hand, 
suspend themselves perpendicularly, and remain in this position until 
the affair is over. This position is a good one to facilitate the pro- 
cess, and some such arrangement might well be adopted by women 
generally, for labor is often rendered unnecessarily tardy and painful, 
by a bad position of the patient, as well as by the drugs and instru- 
ments employed to assist. 

With this brief caution to women at the critical period of parturition, 
I will close this essay, and proceed to answer the next question in order. 
LO* 



226 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 



How to Preserve the Health of Children. 

After the baby arrives, the next duty is, to take care of it properly. 
The nurse, grand-ma, aunt, or some other kind attendant knows how 
to wash it, and sometimes, not often, how to dress it. Babies are 
generally dressed too tightly. Their bones are as elastic as cartilage, 
and their flesh is spongy, in consequence of which the little lumps of 
humanity give way easily to pressure. The baby clothes which have 
been so studiously prepared in anticipation of the event, are uncon- 
sciously, if not intentionally, pinned or sewed on too closely to allow 
circulation and physical development to go on naturally. The next 
error is usually an excess of clothing both by day and by night. 
Mothers think their babies are such tender little things that they 
must be warmly clad, hence the flannels, etc., are put on like so 
many layers of onions. As a consequence the little sufferers wriggle, 
and twist, and cry all day to get out of them ; and kick them off 
altogether by night, which last act of the triumphant young heroes, 
gives them a cold. 

It is a popular delusion that babies need more clothing than 
adults, and I am sorry to see that at least one physiologist who has 
gained considerable reputation as a lecturer, falls into it. He says — - 
u Place a thermometer under the arm of an adult person, and it will 
run up to ninety-eight degrees; this is the average the world over; 
under the arms of children or old people it will run up to only ninety 
degrees or less ; therefore children and old people should be dressed 
warmer than the middle-aged." This looks like a u knock-down 
argument," at first thought, does it not? But if we look into the 
animal kingdom below us, we shall rind that God does not clothe the 
inferior animals on any such principle. Sheep, which are full of 
animal heat, He covers with a thick coating of wool; cattle, horses, 
and dogs, whose blood is of a little lower temperature, with hair — a 
covering of less warmth and depth ; fish, of a still lower tempera- 
ture, with scales ; and the reptiles, which are coldest of all, with 
neither wool, hair, nor scales — having nothing but the bare skin 
itself. Now, in the light of God's example, let us sift this matter a 
little, and understand it. The child at ninety degrees is in a normal 
condition ; the old man at the same temperature, is in an abnormal 
state. The child is as God and nature made him ; the old man is 



HOW TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN. 227 

where the bad habits of life, and the infirmities of age have placed 
him. To prematurely raise the temperature of the child, is to violate 
the law of its nature, and consequently induce disease ; to raise the 
temperature of the old man, is to restore his system to its wonted 
condition, and consequently to induce the glow of health. In one 
case, we shall but assist nature in the development of the physical 
organization by not unduly shutting in or generating animal warmth ; 
in the other we assist nature in carrying on the physical processes, 
which have become sluggish, by confining and creating, by every 
possible means, animal warmth. Need I say more in answer to what, 
at first glance, looks like a plausible argument. 

Fig. 66. 




THE TRIUMPHANT BABY AND SURPRISED MOTHER. 

Let me now appeal to the observation of mothers. You know, 
don't you, that your babies at night will kick the clothes off? You 
tuck them in here, and pin them down there, but when you rub 
your eyes open at midnight, or near morning, you are surprised to 
find them nearly or wholly outside of their bed-covering. What can 
it mean ? Now will you tell me what causes you to kick off your 
bed-clothes sometimes ? Do you do it because you are cold ? I3 it 
always because you are nervous or fidgety ? 

How often, an hour or two after you have put your child to bed, 
you will find by laying your hand on its brow, that it is bathed with 



228 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

perspiration. Is it necessary that you should give it a sweat? If 
not, why do you not remove a portion of its covering ? The skin 
should not be wet ; it should be scarcely perceptibly moist. If you 
have night-sweats, you become frightened, and run to the doctor ; 
but you persist in giving your babies night-sweats ! By careful ob- 
servation you may ascertain just how much clothing your child 
needs, and just how to vary it to suit all atmospheric changes. 
Nearly always when it wriggles out of, or kicks off clothing, you 
may rest assured that it is too warmly blanketed. Remove a little 
of the covering and watch again. If it repeats the same thing, take 
off still more, and so continue to do until the restlessness of the little 
creature subsides. You will be surprised, at last, to see how very 
little covering an infant needs. In rigorous winter, the indigent 
mother sometimes freezes to death : not so the baby beside her. 
"Who cannot call to mind some illustration of this remark ? I think 
I have fully demonstrated the assertion that babies and children 
require less clothing than adults ; but if any fail to be convinced, 
let me ask them which they suppose will best conduce to the health 
of the child — to make it tender by much clothing, so that by getting 
the clothes off at night, or some other exposure, it inevitably takes 
cold ; or by clothing it sparingly so as to accustom it to cold weather 
and its changes ? 

Another important suggestion in regard to clothing is, that it be 
so distributed to the various parts of the body, that the circulation 
may not be impaired. In my essay on the clothes we wear, and in 
some observations in other places on tight-lacing, I have sufficiently 
cautioned the reader against tight-fitting clothing, and I will not In 
this place do more than call attention to those remarks ; but let me 
here speak of the great error of dressing the neck, chest, and abdo- 
men warmly, and leaving the limbs scantily covered. 1 have seen 
children dressed like Highlanders — with nothing on the limbs at all, 
while the upper portions of their bodies were clad in flannels. " The 
dear little things look pretty don't they V Well, I must confess that 
they do to those who do not know the physical consequences of such 
an unequal distribution of raiment. Their plump legs, white or rosy 
skin, and dimples in the knees are charming ; but the exposition of 
them should only take place when their whole bodies are equally 
exposed. Everybody knows, or ought to know, that the circulation 
of the blood in any part is more or less governed by the temperature 



HOW TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN. 229 

of that part. "Warm dressing of the feet and limbs, for instance, in- 
vites the blood into them ; and if they are more warmly dressed than 
the rest of the body, there will be an undue presence of blood in the 
extremities. If this habit of dress be reversed, and the upper por- 
tions of the body be more warmly clad, then the lungs, liver, 
stomach, heart and head become congested by the excessive pres- 
ence of blood, while the extremities are cold, and the circulation in 
them insufficient. Want of common sense on this point, is a great 
cause of nervous and blood derangements ; and in many cases, the 
immediate cause of headache, congestion of the lungs, dyspepsia, 
and constipation among adults, particularly women. I once heard 
Dr. Dio Lewis very felicitously describe the dress of women before a 
gymnastic class. I will not attempt to give any portion of his re- 
marks, but some things I have to say here were substantially pre- 
sented by him. Let us for a moment look at the dress of women 
especially that worn in winter. An ever-varying head-dress, ex- 
posing, during the continuance of one fashion, that part of the head 
which had been covered by the style of hat and head-dress in vogue 
immediately previous. Fur collars about the neck, and in many 
instances fur cloaks enveloping the whole upper portion of the body. 
Flannels extending from the neck to the waist, with some times 
many other garments over them, thus producing undue warmth in 
that part of the body containing the vital machinery, while the 
limbs are protected only by cotton, or cotton-flannel, at best one 
thickness of flannel in the shape of drawers, coming a little below 
the knee, where they meet and lap under white cotton stockings . 

Now, with such a costume as this, where does the blood go? 
Crinoline and a petticoat or two, will not compensate for the furs 
and other garments about the neck and waist, and the blood will 
congest those parts which by warm covering are kept at the highest 
temperature. Hence the complaints: — "Oh, what an awful head- 
ache I do have !" "Doctor, what do you suppose is the matter with 
my stomach?" "I am habitually constipated," etc. It would be 
well for all women to remember, both in clothing themselves and their 
children — if they are mothers — the whole body should be equally 
clad to insure a good circulation. The mere fact that you have lung 
difficulties will not excuse you for covering your chest with woolen 
and fur unless you put precisely the same covering on your limbs. 
For every garment put over the chest, one of equal warmth should 



230 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

be placed over the limbs, or you will defeat the very object you 
desire to attain ; and mothers, if you will be reckless of your own 
comfort, health, and life, by obeying the caprice of fashion rather 
than the laws of hygiene, I pray you heed the hints herein given 
for taking care of your children ; for, possibly, by the time they 
become men and women, health will become more attractive than 
dress. 

Leaving the criticism of dress, we will next turn oar attention to 
the food of children. It would seem hardly necessary to start out 
with the remark that babies should not be fed on cow's milk when that 
from the breast of a healthy mother or nurse can be obtained ; but 
observation proves that mothers are careless — willfully ignorant — or 
wantonly indifferent in regard to this matter. I would call the atten- 
tion of all who are interested in it, to the comparison between the 
milk of the cow and that of the human mother, in the essay on milk, 
in Chapter II. The breasts of women are nowadays too much culti- 
vated with reference to a pretty form and figure; and while this 
need not be discouraged, the necessity of developing the mammary 
glands, with a view to making them productive of nutritious milk 
when their possessors become mothers, is of far greater importance. 
It is especially so when young mothers decline to nurse their babies, 
lest the breasts should become flabby, or otherwise affected in their 
symmetry. Speaking of women, the Rev. 0. B. Frothingham very 
truly remarked : — "It may be a great thing to be a merchant, a finan- 
cier, an advocate, judge, writer, or orator, but before these can exist, 
there must be men ; before these can be what they should be, there 
must be healthy, disciplined men ; there must be well-bred youths, 
carefully instructed, and carefully trained children ; infants lying on 
deep motherly bosoms, and sucking rich motherly milk. Yes, more 
than that, inhaling the pure womanly spirit. It may be a fine thing 
to have control of their property ; to help in making the laws they 
live under ; but to be good mothers of men and women, is the great- 
est thing in all this world." Many mothers in fashionable life, who 
are endowed by nature with well-developed organs for nourishing 
their babies, shirk the responsibility because it is a task — it soils 
their fine clothes — or what is a still more insulting excuse to the 
Deity — because suckling their young is doing so much like the infe- 
rior animals. To such folly has an undue love of ease, and a false idea 
of refinement led many women ! When, however, such consider 



HOW TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN. 231 

tions govern mothers, or when an imperfectly developed body has 
failed to endow the mother with the power to nurse her child, it 
should not he fed on the milk of cows or goats if a wet-nurse can 
be obtained, for it is quite unlike human milk in its qualities, 
as already remarked; and then, too, some discrimination should be 
used in the selection of a nurse. A cross, ill-natured woman ought 
not to be employed, because bad temper affects the secretions of tha 
mammary glands, as well as it does other secretions. A scrofulous 
nurse will not answer, because she not only gives the child scrofulous 
food from her breasts, but daily bodily contact with her, affects a 
healthy baby injuriously. Recollect what Dr. Combe said about the 
atmosphere of a scrofulous person being contagious. A puny, sickly 
nurse, is also incapable of imparting to a child the nourishment it re- 
quires. A nurse must, indeed, be a healthy, temperate, good- 
natured, kindly woman, with the milk of human-kindness flowing 
from her soul, and pure, wholesome milk issuing from well- 
freighted bosoms. When such a nurse cannot be obtained, there is 
manifestly no nourishment so wholesome for babies as the milk of 
healthy animals diluted sufficiently to agree with the infant stomach, 
for all vegetable preparations for babies, have a tendency to cause 
acidity, and contain particles which the young digestive machinery 
is not strong enough to dissolve. Meats, and the juices of meats 
will not answer, as they are too stimulating. They are not, indeed, 
fit for a child under ten years of age, as the reader will observe in 
my next essay on dietetics. 

In addition to clothing and feeding babies properly, attention 
must be giyen to bathing and exercising them. If they are fat and 
full of animal spirits, they should be sponged every morning with 
tepid water and a little (very little) castile soap. If lean in flesh, 
they should be so treated only every alternate morning ; but their 
little bodies should be rubbed down gently with a healthy hand, from 
head to foot, every day. If the child be absolutely wasted so that 
marasmus is threatened, it would be better to use a good quality of 
sweet oil instead of water, and rub them from head to foot with the 
magnetic hand; after which wipe them down with a dry nap- 
kin. This will keep the skin healthfully active and cleanly ; and the 
absorbing pores may be provoked to take up some of the oleaginous 
matter, and with it assist in inaugurating plumpness. Babies should 
be carried into the open air daily in all weather, and shaken and 



232 PRETENTION OF .DISEASE. 

jostled by their nurses. Babies, as much as adults, need muscular 
exercise to develop the muscular system. They are not strong 
enough to take that exercise themselves, and it is, therefore, ne- 
cessary to tumble them about, squeeze their muscles, pat them, and 
attend to all those little matters which go to promote muscular de- 
velopment. A writer in BlaclcwoocPs Magazine very sensibly advisee 
nursery tales, rhymes, and other good things. " I would" he says, 
li say to every parent, especially to every mother, sing to your chil- 
dren ; tell them pleasant stories; if in the country, be not careful lest 
they get a little dirt upon their hands and clothes ; earth is very 
much akin to us all, and children's out-of-doors plays soil them not 
inwardly. There is in it a kind of consanguinity between all crea- 
tures; by it we touch upon the common sympathy of our first sub- 
stance, and beget a kindness for our poor relations, the brutes. Let 
children have free, open-air sport, and fear not though they make 
acquaintance with the pigs, the donkeys, and the chickens ; they may 
form worse friendships with wiser-looking ones. Encourage a famil- 
iarity with all that love them. There is a language among their 
which the world's language obliterates in the elders. It is of more 
importance that you should make your children loving, than that 
you should make them wise. Above all things make them loving ; 
and then, parents, if you become old and poor, these will be better 
than friends that will neglect you. Children brought up lovingly at 
your knees will never shut their doors upon you, and point where 
they would have you go." 

Babies must also be carefully guarded from all poison, external 
and internal. Impure vaccination often destroys the health, if not 
the life of a child. Eead what I have said under this head in the 
chapter on the causes of nervous and blood derangements. Mothers 
should be careful that their nipples are free from eruptions which 
might possibly inoculate the baby with their impure secretions. 
Nurses and other attendants should have clean hands and well-washed 
calico gowns. Look out for the napkins and towels which are em- 
ployed about the baby. Carefully exclude from the nursery all 
poisonous or unwholesome things which the baby can, on floor or in 
chair, lay hold of. Every thing you know, goes into the mouth of an 
infant. Painted toys have sometimes caused the most serious conse^ 
quenccs in the hands of babies. 

Excessive and injudicious dosing is a common cause of ill health 



HOW TO PRESERVE THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN. 233 

among children. If a child take a slight cold — if it have a little pain 
in the stomach — if the bowels move a little too frequently — if it 
have ear-ache — if it be restless and fretful — the doctor is sent for, 
who, either through ignorance of the injurious effects of unnecessary 
drugging, or from fear of not pacifying the mother, deals out a little 
of this, that, and the other thing, to be taken at various hours of the 
day or night. In the majority of cases children do not need medi- 
cating, and a mother more often injures her child by sending for the 
doctor too soon, than by delaying too long. External applications 
of proper remedies will, in a majority of cases, cure all sorts of baby 
complaints. I do not exactly want to assume tho character of a 
panacea pedler, but I feel moved to say, in this connection, that if 
you possess a bottle of my magnetic ointment, such as I speak of 
in the closing part of my book, a doctor need seldom be called. If 
a child have a cold, attended with any affection of the throat or 
lungs, apply the ointment thoroughly to the throat and chest; if 
wind colic, cramping of the stomach or bowels, loss of appetite, 
worms, diarrhoea, or the opposite — constipation, apply the ointment 
to the stomach and bowels for several minutes with the hand. If 
the child receive a bruise, cut, or burn, the ointment will prove a 
never-failing remedy. For weakness of the spine, weakness or pain 
in the limbs, stiff neck, for cold feet, etc., it may be successfully 
applied to the part affected. It may be effectually applied to the 
region of the bladder in incontinence of the urine, or other affections 
of the bladder. In brief, there is hardly an infant ill which the 
external use of this ointment will not relieve, and generally com- 
pletely cure ; while grown-up children, who have once introduced it 
as a family medicine, feel that they cannot pass a night without it in 
the house. Simple hand friction will often relieve the local difficul- 
ties of children. Do any thing — do every thing, mother, but admin- 
ister to the sensitive little stomach a dose of medicine. Soothing 
syrups are invariably anodynes in their properties, and almost inva- 
riably contain morphine or opium. Rather than use them for a 
nervous or fretful child, I would resort to the ridiculous remedy 
proposed by a Buffalo Editor. u As soon," he says, "as the squaller 
awakens, set the child up, propped by pillows if it cannot sit alone; 
smear its fingers with thick molasses ; then put half a dozen feathers 
into its hands, and the young one will sit and pick the feathers from 
one hand \ ( ) another, until it drops asleep. As soon as it awakes — 



2U 



PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 



Fiz. 67. 




more molasses and more feathers, and, in the place of nerve astound- 
ing yells, there will be silence and enjoyment unspeakable." 

One word in regard to the corporal punishment of children, and I 
will, close this essay and enter upon other subjects of equal interest 
to all who have or are about to have babies, as well as to those who 

have only themselves 
to care for. First, do 
not strike a child on 
the head. The brain 
is the great nervous 
reservoir where all the 
nerves centre, and a 
blow here may kill it 
outright, or make it 
idiotic. Do not " box 
its ears," there is 
danger, by doing so, 
of rupturing the ear- 
drum, thereby render- 
ing it deaf, if no greater 
evil ensue. Do not 
whip it with stick or lash — such a punishment deranges the action 
of the capillaries, and the circulation of the blood through them. 
Do not fill its imagination with hobgoblins, and shut it into a dark 
room. Kept for moments or hours under the influence of fright, 
the nervous system is tearfully affected, and made susceptible to 
attacks of a spasmodic nature. Do not punish it by depriving it of 
its regular food, for then stomach derangements arc inaugurated. 
All kinds of punishment should be avoided if the child can be con- 
trolled by moral influences; but where punishment is necessary, a 
" good spanking " is the only physical chastisement the body presents 
a proper place to receive; while those acting upon the fears of the 
child should be avoided altogether. 

Dietetics for Old and Young. 

Little space will be occupied under this head, because the reader 
may learn from the essay entitled u The Food we Eat," in the second 
chapter, the author's views on what may be regarded as wholesome 
food; but I have something important to offer in this place which, 



THE EDITOR'S PLAN FOR DIVERTING THE BABY. 



DIETETICS FOR OLD AND YOUNG. 235 

if observed, will have a tendency to build up the physical man, and 
guard against the insidious approach of disease. Nowadays, children 
and youth accustom their systems to a stimulating diet, suited only 
to the sluggish systems of older people, so that when old-age comes 
upon them, they have nothing to turn to but medicinal tonics to im- 
part to the infirm body and mind strength and vivacity. So long as 
animal food continues to find a place upon our tables, and stimulating 
liquids are tolerated by nearly all, and used by a large portion of 
mankind, the rule should be as follows : — 

" Milk for babes," and that only, if possible, which issues from 
the breasts of healthy mothers. " Mush and milk," for children un- 
der six years of age ; and during this period all wholesome vegeta- 
bles may be permitted, but no stronger animal food than milk. 
Passing the sixth year — butter, eggs, and fish may be allowed to 
enter sparingly into the diet of the child ; and, from the twelfth 
year — poultry, broths, and the soups of other meats. Not before he 
is fifteen or twenty should he be permitted to taste of steak, roast 
beef, or other strong meat. Not before he is twenty-five or thirty, 
should he allow himself to drink coffee or tea. Not earlier than forty 
or fifty should beer or other liquors pass his lips. Then, when the 
infirmities of age begin to creep upon him (and they will come later 
under this regimen), if it be necessary to resort to stronger stimu- 
lants, such inventions as Bourbon whiskey, French brandy, Holland 
gin, Jamaica rum, etc., may be called to the rescue. But, understand 
me — I do not advise malt or strong drinks; I merely say so long as 
animal food and stimulating liquors are used, the foregoing rule is 
the proper one to be pursued, and now for the reason : — ■ 

A child cannot well endure a stimulating diet. His little vital 
machinery, fresh from the ingenious hands of nature, is full of life, 
electricity, and animation. At birth his palpitating little heart con- 
tracts from 130 to 140 times per minute. At the age of three, his 
pulse is about ninety, while that of an adult averages seventy-two. 
Stimulating food, of course, quickens the activity of the vital organs 
of children, and this morbid activity renders them susceptible to in- 
flammatory diseases. Hence the prevalence of measles, scarlet-fever, 
canker-rash, chicken-pox, and other ills, hardly known to adults. I 
really believe that these disorders would never affect children if they 
were fed and clothed properly, or in such a way as not to derange 
the activity of their vital machinery as set agoing by good old Dame 



236 



PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 



Fig. 6S. 




A HEALTHY MOTHER AND CHILD. 



Nature. The blood of children is richer in solid constituents, and 
especially in blood corpuscles, than that of adults, and as animal food 

tends to increase this richness and 
solidity to a greater extent than veg- 
etable food, allowing to a child the 
former, inevitably causes an undue 
proportion of those constituents to 
go to the blood, thereby render- 
ing the vascular fluids as ignita- 
ble to the breath of contagion, as 
powder is to the touch of fire. 
Let intelligent mothers, who set 
their children's blood on fire with 
the flesh of animals as food, and 
then let their doctors kill them in 
endeavors to quench it with pois- 
onous drugs, hesitate before they 
add fuel to the flame. Children do not crave meats — they would 
not eat them if they were not introduced into their toothless mouths 
while they are in swaddling clothes, while they have not sense 
enough to reject them, by which means they acquire a taste for this 
kind of diet. If meats are denied the children, strong drinks will 
not be craved by the middle-aged ; for in a perfectly healthy condi- 
tion of the human race, meats and strong drinks would not be need- 
ed, and the promptings of appetite might be trusted ; but now Pande- 
monium exists in the palates and stomachs of men because they are 
not started right in babyhood and childhood; and the hydra-headed 
gourmand looks forth from behind decayed and broken-down teeth, 
for things totally unsuited to the development of the inner man. 

Fruits are excellent preventives of disease in children and men. 
The value of apples as food is suggested by Liebig, who says — " The 
importance of apples as food has not hitherto been sufficiently esti- 
mated or understood. Besides contributing a large portion of sugar, 
mucilage, and other nutritive compounds in the form of food, they 
contain such a fine combination of vegetable acids, extractive sub- 
stances, and aromatic principles, with the nutritive matter, as to act 
powerfully in the capacity of refrigerants, tonics, and antiseptics: 
and when freely used at the season of ripeness by rural laborers and 
others, they prevent debility, strengthen digestion, correct the 



DIETETICS FOR OLD AND YOUNG. 237 

putrefactive tendencies of nitrogenous food, avert scurvy, and main- 
tain and strengthen the power of productive labor." 

Nature has kindly looked to sanitary effects in providing summer 
fruits. As mankind emerges from the winter season, more or less 
loaded with carbonaceous dregs which have accumulated under the 
influence of a keen appetite, and the use of hearty food to warm the 
body in spite of the cold atmosphere, strawberries, currants, and 
other acid fruits of a relaxing nature to the bowels are presented for 
his use ; and these dissolve and wash away the effete accumulations 
of the liver, stomach, and bowels. Lest, however, this process be 
carried too far, raspberries, with a mild astringency, quickly follow, 
checking any undue activity of the bowels ; and finally when hot 
weather comes upon us, rendering the system an easy prey to diar- 
rhoea, along come the luscious, dimpled-faced blackberries, with still 
greater astringent qualities, which have the power even to cure an 
attack of summer complaint. The provident housewife not only 
welcomes their advent, and provides them abundantly for the table, 
but from their rich juices she prepares blackberry syrup for use in all 
seasons when the little ones are attacked with bowel complaint. 
Good, loving, kind-hearted, old Dame Nature ; and wise, maternally 
affectionate, and ever-to-be-remembered mother, w T ho receives and 
properly uses the fruits of her bountiful hand ! These remarks of 
course apply to our latitude where these fruits are raised, but it will 
be found in all climes that there are fruits of corresponding qualities, 
whose effects aid nature in keeping up a healthy condition of the 
system. 

Next, a word about fasting. If people would enjoy good health, 
fasting should only be resorted to in obedience to physiological 
requirements. While fasting, the solid constituents of the blood 
decrease rapidly. It is customary even in the Nineteenth Century 
for our rulers, moved by a mistaken religious sentiment, to appoint 
days of fasting, which, unhappily, are generally observed exclusively 
by the very people whose abstemious and religious lives not only ren- 
der them unnecessary, but whose bloodless condition makes it really 
a sin for them to fast. Our Creator manifestly never desires us to vio- 
late physical law for his worship. It is said that a the monks and the 
anchorites of old sought to serve God and win an immortal crown, 
by spending their lives in self-inflicted penances and mortifications, 
the severity of which seems almost incredible. It is related of them 



238 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

that they would live for years in cells and caves scooped out of 
rocks, which were scarcely large enough to turn round in. They 
would load themselves with heavy crosses and chains ; or put collars 
and bracelets of massive iron about their limbs. They would stand 
in uncomfortable attitudes until permanently deformed ; or look at 
the sun without winking, until they were blind. They would pass 
many days without food, many hours without sleep, and many years 
without speaking. One of the most celebrated of these ascetics, 
Simon Stylites, lived on the top of a column sixty feet high, for 
thirty years, exposed alike to the heat of summer and the cold of 
winter, and at length died without descending !" All of these 
things look ridiculous to people nowadays, just as the present custom 
of fasting will ultimately appear to coming generations. There is 
not a particle of doubt but that fasting would do thousands of 
people good, but the days appointed for tie purpose are only in 
exceptional cases observed by these ; while good and weakly men 
and women who cannot possibly afford to fast, almost invariably do 
so, most scrupulously, much to their injury. Fasting, unless called 
for to counteract the effects of gluttony, also deranges the stomach. 
This organ must have its due and regular supply of aliment to pre- 
serve the digestive machinery unimpaired. Parents should never 
punish their children by depriving them of their dinner, as is some- 
times the practice. A dinner neglected to-day, prepares an un- 
natural appetite and a weak stomach for to-morrow. A plain 
dinner in place of the usual family dinner, would answer just as 
well for a punishment for a child, and physically do him good ; and 
plain living for the glutton would be better than fasting, while regu- 
larity in eating is important on fast days as well as on others. 

A few remarks on regulating the diet and selecting the food ac- 
cording to the condition of the bowels, and I will close this essay. 
Many people predisposed to constipation, and others affected in an 
opposite way, are ever hitting wrongly in their eating. Those who 
are habitually costive should not eat their meats and vegetables cooked 
brown; nor such, binding food as boiled rice, boiled milk, wheat 
bread, toast, etc. Such things will do for those who are predisposed to 
^cessive and too frequent movements of the bowels. Nor should 
the latter eat meats rarely cooked, brown, Graham, and corn bread, 
hominy, baked beans, or other relaxing articles of food. These are 
just suited to constipated people. Among fruits — oranges, figs, sour 



PHYSIOLOGICAL INSTRUCTION OF CHILDREN. 239 

apples, etc., are well known as relaxing in their properties ; while 
sweet apples, raspberries, blackberries, black currants, and all fruits 
having a puckering flavor, are binding. Consequently fruits should 
be selected in their season, suited to the over active or inactive con- 
dition of the bowels. 

As remarked before, other matters regarding food and diet would 
be relevant here, were they not treated upon in chapter second ; I 
will therefore leave this subject and invite the reader's attention to 

The Physiological Instruction of Children. 

In view of the startling wretchedness and vice growing out of 
physiological ignorance, an essay bearing the above title may proper- 
ly find place in this chapter. An essay in the second chapter, as 
well as facts appearing in various pages of this book, exhibit the ne- 
cessity of proposing some radical course for the proper instruction 
of children in regard to their bodies, the organs composing their 
bodies, and the functions of those organs. In our favored country, 
every district in our cities, and every village in the rural regions, has 
its school-house. Now, is a knowledge of the alphabet, of spelling, 
of reading, of writing, of grammar, of arithmetic, of history, of phi- 
losophy, etc., more important than a knowledge of anatomy, physiol- 
ogy, and hygiene? Some schools, public and private, have introduced 
physiological works, which treat in a "gingerly manner" of the hu- 
man system. They are doing good, but are not just what we want. 
The most important organs, and those which are most abused, are so 
delicately alluded to, if spoken of at all, that the student obtains little 
information regarding them. In our large public schools, academies, 
and colleges, teachers, male and female, should be appointed to at- 
tend to the anatomical, physiological, and hygienic departments, 
where children and youths should be classed according to age and 
sex, and instructed, not in the technical, jaw-breaking name of 
each nerve, muscle, and bone (these may be acquired in a medical 
college) ; but in the uses, and consequences of the abuses, of the vari- 
ous organs of the body, not omitting those most sinned against — the 
organs of generation. To girls just entering womanhood, lectures 
should be given on conception and pregnancy, and the duties attend- 
ing maternity — on every subject, in fact, which prepares them to be- 
come the healthy mothers of healthy children, when they shall be 
ready to assume such responsibility. In smaller village-schools, al- 



240 PRETENTION OF DISEASE. 

though as thorough training may not be practicable in this depart- 
ment, a very successful plan may be adopted where but one teacher 
is employed. A female should be kept in the instructor's chair dur- 
ing the summer, and a male teacher during the winter — a custom 
not uncommon now in many country places, as a matter of economy. 
These teachers should be supplied with two sets of plainly written 
lectures on all the organs, functions, diet, etc., suited to various ages. 
One set of lectures should be adapted to girls, and the other to boys. 
In summer, the girls should be classified according to age, and daily, 
during the boys' recess, the teacher, with such assistance as she 
might select from the older female pupils, should deliver, in as effect- 
ive a manner as possible, to the various classes, a lecture appropriate 
to each. In winter, the male teacher should pursue the same course 
with the boys, during the recess of the girls. These lectures could 
be interspersed with such further instruction as the teacher might be 
qualified to give. A good manikin would be a profitable investment 
for any school, large or small, with which to illustrate the instruc- 
tions given in this branch of study. Anatomical plates might also be 
prepared for school purposes, exhibiting the formation of the sexual 
organs, or those organs which are the more commonly injured in boy- 
hood and girlhood^ — those which the Creator has instituted for per- 
petuating the human family. Some such plan will be carried out in 
a not far distant future, depend upon it. Let us all try and hasten 
the day. It is necessary, however, that something be done imme- 
diately. Boys and girls are annually destroying themselves or making 
wrecks of their constitutions, for the want of physiological instruc- 
tion. Parents must take this matter in hand, until our institutions 
of learning are complete in this respect. If unwilling to counsel 
their children themselves, then they should throw in their way books 
Containing the needful information. Almost daily am I receiving let- 
ters from young men and women, who commence their epistles with 
something substantially as follows : " If I had only read your Med- 
ical Common Sense five years ago, I should have saved myself the 
necessity of addressing you now." It should be borne in mind that, 
if children do not obtain physiological information from proper 
sources, they learn enough to contract vice, through hidden and 
vitiated channels, and sooner or later the physician is consulted for 
the relief of diseases which never would have presented themselves, 
if parents had religiously discharged their whole duty. 



MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RECREATION. 241 

Mental and Physical Recreation 

Is necessary to the preservation of health. In this busy practical 
age, both the mental and physical energies are too much concen- 
trated upon money-making. Business men wear themselves out in 
their counting-rooms, and die just as they are about to reap the gold- 
en fruit of their labors, having denied themselves all social and 
physical enjoyment, with the delusive promise to themselves and 
their friends, that after a certain end is attained, they will give rest 
to their overworked faculties. This end reached, another one is sub- 
stituted, and still another, till the worn-out, cheated brain seeks in 
the repose of death that rest which its possessor denies it in the 
whirl of busy life. 

The tiller of the soil, who caresses mother earth, and inhales her 
vital breath, lives longer, but his mental faculties are dwarfed by 
the monotonous drudgery with which he seeks to obtain the golden 
bauble, and his overworked muscles shrink, and his shoulders droop 
witli excessive toil. He, too, plants his ambitious stake afar off, 
moves it onward*still farther as he approaches it, and finally reaches 
it too exhausted to enjoy what he has so long labored to attain. 

The wealthy idler too often pursues his avocation of doing nothing 
with such singleness of purpose as to induce depression of spirits, 
and thereby enfeeble both mind and body. His imagination becomes 
tired at grasping empty shadows, and his faculties wear themselves 
out in striking at nothing. 

Many people mistakenly imagine that mental and physical recrea- 
tion consists in idling away time, while it really consists in doing 
something all the while, but with such a change of thought and ac- 
tion as to give rest to those powers which are the more constantly 
employed. There is, for instance, but little recreation in a game of 
chess for a nan who has been employed in the counting-room ail 
day. His pla; should be out of doors, and his diversions of a char- 
acter to free the mind from calculation, and give healthy exercise 
to the enervatel muscular system. The farmer may advantageously 
shorten his days of toil, and spend some hours in every twenty-four 
in visiting his neighbors, and in the perusal of books and newspa- 
pers. The wealthy idler will find happiness and health in industry 
of some kind, evei if it be not remunerative. For the accountant, 
professional man, cr for any one closely engaged in sedentary pur- 
11 



24:2 



PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 



suits, there is probably no exercise so beneficial as horseback riding. 
Much walking exhausts the magnetic forces of the system, if they are 
deficient, but in riding a horse, the animal docs the work, and the 
rider takes the exercise, and not only does the stomach, liver, ana 
other internal organs get wholesomely jostled, but every muscle of 
vhe arms and limbs partakes of the invigorating shaking. Then, 

Fig. 69. 



• \ \\\\\ V Xi >\ ■ " ///" :>//■"///< 




MAGNETIC EXERCISE. 



too, the horse is a regular battery for the generatior of animal elec- 
tricity. The vapors from his nostrils, and the stean from his body, 
are loaded with magnetic life. The busy brain-wrker, seated upon 
the saddle, is enveloped in an atmosphere of vital magnetism, which 
his attenuated body drinks in as the parched earft takes in the even- 






MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RECREATION. 243 

ing shower. Dr. Frank Hamilton grew enthusiastic in a lecture, 
free from exaggeration, when he said : — 

" My friend, a well-known and very distinguished doctor of divin- 
ity, believes that I also ride a hobby, since I will prescribe no medi- 
cine for him but a horse ; and I frankly confess that he has good 
reason for his belief. It is part of the speaker's creed that all reli- 
gions congregations should build a barn, and buy a horse with a sad- 
dle and bridle ; all which should be endowed so as to cover every 
future necessary expense ; and that as soon as the horse is properly 
installed, and not before, they may proceed to install a pastor. This 
doctrine in which we fully believe, has reference no less to the inter- 
est of the church than to the interest of the clergyman. It will 
secure one original sermon on every Sabbath morning ; it will obvi- 
ate the necessity of assistant chaplains, and save the expense of a 
voyage to Europe once in five years. It commends itself especially, 
therefore, to the consideration of poor and feeble congregations. 

; * The utility of horseback exercise is not limited, however, to cler- 
gymen and their congregations. It is, in our humble opinion, the 
best exercise for both men and women, whether within or without 
the church — combining, as it does, the largest amount of active and 
passive motion, with agreeable excitement. The trout may refuse 
to nibble, and the game to start, but upon the horse there is certain 
pleasure beyond all contingencies. The rider is above everybody 
else, he goes faster than anybody else. He has, for the time, a kind 
of ideal, and not actual being, and rides his horse as a poet rides 
his Pegasus. At one moment he imagines himself a general at the 
head of an army; at another, an emperor, making a triumphal entry ; 
now he is a knight, returning from conquest ; and now, perhaps, he 
rushes in battle ; or he is riding a fierce race, and he springs in his 
saddle as if ten thousand bright dollars depended upon the result. 
Not that he actually believes all this, but only that he feels some- 
what as if it were so, or might be so. 

'•When he presses his spur into the tender flank, and his horse 
plunges and prances, he also plunges and prances like his horse. He 
feels as if, in riding him, he was a part of the noble animal himself, 
and that he is indeed what the Thessalians were reputed to be, half 
man and half horse — a real Centaur. 

'• We cannot tell you what a horse will do with that precision and 
minuteness with which an empiric recounts the diseases which his 



244 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

hobby will infallibly' cure, but we are certain that our hobby will 
jreach a great variety of cases ; and we believe, that a horse — one 
horse a day — is good for almost everybody, if properly administered. 
3ome will require to be cautioned against riding too violently, while 
for the benefit of others, you must add the directions usually given 
5 n the old polypharmic prescription: 'when taken to be well 
shaken. , " 

Although consumption prevails to a serious extent in the British 
Army, investigation has proved that the cavalry regiments suffer 
much less than the infantry. There is no other way for accounting 
for this fact excepting this ; while the infantry are exhausted by their 
weary marches, the cavalry have the exercise and magnetism of 
horseback riding while performing their military duties. For women 
of sedentary habits in our civilization, horseback riding is deprived 
of a good share of its advantages by the cramped position they are 
obliged to take on the detestable side-saddle. It seems as if every 
pernicious crotchet entering into the popular sense of propriety, 
invaiiably bears the most heavily upon woman. We call her the 
" weaker vessel," and while we pile upon her shoulders the most 
unhealthful burdens, we also require her, whether walking or riding, 
to be trammelled with something that lessens the value of her exercise. 
If she walks, her limbs are impeded in their motion by cumbersome 
skirts ; and if she rides one limb is put to sleep on the pommel of 
the sadde and her body placed in an attitude which would naturally 
nearly face the side her limbs occupy, while she is required to face and 
address her attendant back of her. 

In Peru, the Sandwich Islands, and among many people we call 
heathen, or semi-barbarian, women ride astride ; and since the ad- 
vent of the bicycle this sensible position is being encouraged in Eng- 
land and our own country. Mrs. Clara B. Colby says: 

" The ' New Woman ' is only copying after the ancient dame when 
she rides astride, as is now the fashion of the royal princesses and 
the leading equestriennes of both England and America. Joan of 
Arc rode astride at the head of the French Army, and Queen Eliza- 
beth used to ride to falcon hunt in this fashion behind Lord Leices- 
ter. It was only in the sixteenth century that the side-saddle came 
into use in England, and women rode astride in Germany until the 
close of the eighteenth century. In most foreign countries the 
fashion of riding on one side has never been adopted by women." 

For people of sedentary habits who have not the means to keep 



MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RECREATION. 



245 



horses, or to hire them, dancing and gymnastics afford healthy recrea- 
tion, if the former be not carried to the extreme of midnight dissipa- 
tion, and the latter to the point of physical exhaustion. Among the 
ancient Hebrews, dancing formed a part of their religious ceremonies 
and even in the Christian church at an early period, " the dance was 
united with the hymn in Christian festivities." To-day the Shakers 

Fig. 70. 




The Coming Fashion for Ladies on Horseback. 
{From a cartoon in Philadelphia Life.) 

of our own country unite dancing with worship, but among what are 
popularly denominated orthodox people, dancing is considerably \x± 
disrepute, unless conducted in private assemblies, or in the parlors of 
those whose means enable them to entertain rooms full of their 
friends on appointed occasions. Dancing ought, for the benefit of all 
classes, to again become a part of religious worship. Every thing 
wliieh has a tendency to perficf- the physical organization also gives 



246 PREVENTION OF DISEASE 

strength and growth to the spiritual nature, or at least it makes 
spiritual growth possible. If conducted without excessive eating 
and drinking — at seasonable hours and in healthful costumes, dan- 
cing is an exercise which promotes health of body, and grace of 
motion. It has been remarked that a young woman fond of dancing, 
traverses in the course of a single season about 400 miles, while no 
lady would think of walking that distance in six months. Nor is it 
simply by the exercise of the muscles, and gra*ce of movement, that 
benefit is derived. The commingling of the sexes is highly beneficial. 
In an assemblage of ladies and gentlemen where there is almost 
constant contact of hand with hand, and interchange of sentiment, 
there is also an interchange of sexual magnetism, which imparts a 
daintier glow than paint is capable of giving to the cheek of the 
maiden or matron, and to those of the u sterner sex" who participate 
in these festivities, it gives mental and muscular vivacity never de- 
rived in association of gentlemen alone. At the opening of dancing 
soirees, the ladies generally begin the festivities with cold, clammy 
hands and feet, but after a few commands from the prompter of 
" right and left, all around" their circulation becomes healthful, and 
the pleasant temperature of the hand is an evidence that the feet too 
have become warm by exercise and masculine magnetism. G-od has 
ordained it, and man-and-woman-kind cannot disregard the law that 
sexual isolation impairs the physical health, and renders the mind 
more or less fretful, peculiar, and taciturn. It still further enfeebles 
the nervous systems of the weak, and inaugurates nervous derange- 
ments and mental eccentricities in the strong. It makes man rude 
and gross ; it makes woman weak and capricious. Had not the 
Almighty intended that women and men should commingle in their 
work and play, the earth with its flowers and birds would have been 
given to women, and the moon, with its rocks and arid mountains, 
would have been the abode of men, and like some of the representa- 
tives of the lower order of animal life, each sex would have had 
within itself the power of reproduction. This would have been a 
small matter in the hands of the Creator, and easily enough got 
along with. But enough on this point. If the reader is interested in 
this partial digression, he may turn to the essay in Chapter Second, 
on Sexual Starvation. 

Dr. Fish, in a work intended to show how consumption may be 
prevented, remarks as follows: — 



MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RECREATION. 247 

u Dancing is the king and queen of in-door exercise. It is suitable 
for all classes, all ages, both sexes. It is a most elegant and most 
exhilarating exercise. It is one of the most ancient, and one of the 
most salutary. I do not speak of it as a dissipation, but as an exhil- 
arating and valuable exercise. Among the exercises it is second to 
none. It is extremely suitable for the sedentary, for invalids, and for 
consumptives. I have known one of the worst cases of consumption 
cured by dancing alone, practised daily for many months. The cure 
was permanent and complete. 

wk It is deplorable that dancing, and amusement of nearly all kinds, 
should have fallen under the ban of the clergy, and should be preached 
against as sinful. It is doubtful whether the morals of mankind are 
benefited by forbidding all amusements, and it is most certain that the 
health of thousands are sacrificed by it. Who are those that sink 
earliest into consumption among ladies? Allow me to say it is those 
who take least exercise, and refrain from all amusements ; — who at 
school, at church, at home, are marked as models, whose walk is 
slow, and whose conversation is always on serious subjects. 

u In a few years death does his work, and their long prayed-for 
heaven is soon obtained. No greater truth was ever uttered, than 
that— 

' Keligion never was designed 
To make our pleasures less. 1 

u Neither in its letter or spirit does our happy and blessed reli- 
gion — the religion of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom 
be eternal praise and obedience — anywhere forbid pure, rational 
pleasures and gratification. ' Use the things of this world as not 
abusing them,' is the injunction of the apostle, and is a complete 
summary of all the teachings of the Bible upon this subject." 

Differing a little from the writer of the foregoing, my own opinion 
is that what are variously denominated light gymnastics, parlor gym- 
nastics, and by some, musical gymnastics, introduced into this coun- 
try mainly by Dr. Dio Lewis, of Massachusetts, may be pronounced 
" the king and queen of in-door exercise." 

This system of gymnastics encourages the commingling of the sexes 
in physical movements, which are so devised as to bring every muscle 
of the bodv into exercise. It possesses all the social and magnetic 
charm of dancing, while the movements more fully and uniformly 
develop the whole muscular system. Especially is this remark truo 



248 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

when placing light gymnastics in comparison with the modern fash- 
ionable style of dancing, which precludes all lively motion of the 
limbs, or other parts of the body. The gymnastic march brings the 
sexes together in a frolicking exercise, which gives as much motion to 
the limbs as the old-fashioned "jig." The ring exercise again unites 
the sexes in movements and attitudes which bring into play every 
muscle belonging to our wonderful bodies. With the wooden dumb- 
bells and wands, a series of exercises may be indulged in at home or 
in the class, which call into play muscles .which men or women of 
sedentary habits hardly know they possess. The "breathing exer- 
cises," give ladies, who, from long habit of pernicious dress and 
short breathing, might imagine their lungs were no larger or deeper 
than a chicken's crop, some rational idea of their respiratory capa- 
city. In the vocal exercises, the voice receives not only cultivation, 
but an increase of strength, and these, combined with the breathing 
exercises, afford an excellent medicine for people of a consumptive 
diathesis. In the class, all of these movements are made under the 
inspiration of music, and music itself is better than medicine for 
many people. "Luther and Milton found the greatest solace in mu- 
sic." "Nothing," said Alfieri, the Italian tragic poet, "so moves 
my heart, and soul, and intellect, and rouses my very faculties like 
music ; almost all my tragedies have been conceived under the imme- 
diate emotion caused by music." 

There is one peculiar advantage which light gymnastics possess 
over dancing so long as the latter remains in disrepute among strict 
religionists, and that is, they are encouraged and patronized by the 
clergy, and no one could reasonably object on religious grounds, if 
they were introduced as a part of the education of children in all the 
schools, or made a part of the festivities at ministers' donation par- 
ties, and social entertainments of all kind, public or private, religious 
or secular. 

Gymnastics originated with the ancient Greeks, who made it a 
rule to spend not less than two hours each day in physical develop- 
ment. Their children were required to take exercise in a nude state, 
so as not to encumber the muscles while undergoing motion and 
development. And here I may say, that one of the peculiar advan- 
tages of light gymnastics over dancing is, that in all classes where 
they are taught, the men are required to dress in loose pants and 
blouses, and the ladies in loose-waisted and short dresses. Bathing 



MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RECREATION. 



249 



was religiously attended to by the Greeks of old, and every conceivable 
plan was devised and practiced to build up and strengthen their 
physical organization. They despised themselves for any manifesta- 
tion of physical weakness. The Spartans were the first to require 
their women to be good gymnasts. They were not allowed to marry 
till they publicly exhibited their proficiency in this kind of physical 
exercise. In our day, the Germans seem to have some of the spirit 
of the ancient Greeks. They give much attention to gymnastics, 
both light and heavy ; but among our American people, the credit is 
due to Dr. Lewis for having perfected and introduced a system of 
gymnastics suited to all ages, and to both sexes, and conducted like 
dancing to the time of inspiring music. Those not familiar with his 
system, and who may feel interested in looking into it, may find at 
the book stores an illustrated work, by Dr. L., descriptive of the 
series of exercises which he recommends for muscular development. 

Swimming may be 
reckoned among the ac- 
complishments which 
promote physical health. 
Buoyed up by the water, 
the limbs are at liberty 
to move without imped- 
iment, and while the 
arms are moving in such 
a way as to develop the 
chest, shoulders, and 
back, the action of the 
limbs strengthens their 
own muscles and those 
which are remotely con- 
nected with them. This 
exercise is not available 
to all, nor can it be in- 
dulged in in all climates 
at all seasons, but for 
those living near rivers, 
or lakes, or for those 
who visit the sea-side, it is a recreation in which both sexes, daring 
months of the year when exercise is apt to be neglected, may in- 
11* 




THE 8WIMAlEr.9. 



250 PRETENTION OF DISEASE. 

dulge to advantage, because it cleanses and invigorates the skin at 
the same time that it develops every muscle of the body. The art of 
swimming is so easily acquired, those who make a practice of bathing, 
should also learn to swim. Many are injured by bathing who would 
be benefited by swimming. It is never well to creep or step cring- 
ingly into the water. The slow movements, the fear, the low tem- 
perature of the water, all tend to drive the blood to the head, and 
the bather, under these circumstances, emerges from the water with 
chills and disturbed circulation. Not so with the swimmer. He 
plunges in with the alacrity of the frog ; his head is as cool as his 
body ; his motions to keep afloat send the blood frolicking through 
the veins to the extremities. He comes out of the water with a glow 
of warmth. A little friction with a towel makes him feel as if he 
had experienced a new birth. There is no reason why women, as 
well as men, may not swim. There is no better fun for a party of 
girls and boys than to put on bathing suits, and imitate the pranks 
of the finny tribes in the water. I have seen many expert female 
swimmers. One young woman of my acquaintance, who recently 
acquired the art, in one brief summer expanded her chest several 
inches by the exercise, so much, indeed, as to attract the attention of 
her friends on her return from the sea-side. Her avowed experience 
was that bathing injured her. Before learning to swim, if she 
entered the water she came from it cold and shivering, but so soon 
as she became a swimmer, her aquatic exercises became beneficial, 
and were no longer attended by the recession of the blood from the 
extremities, 

There are, in addition to equestrian exercises, dancing, gymnastics, 
and swimming, various other sports which afford mental and physical 
recreation, such as croquet, billiards, ten-pins, base-ball, parlor and 
pond skating, etc., all possessing more or less merit ; but those 
should be chiefly encouraged which bring the sexes together, because 
they are not only more beneficial physically, but also because women 
are too generally neglected, and too often left at home by fathers, 
husbands, and brothers, and even lovers, when they drop the cares 
of business for rest and relaxation. In addition to this consideration, 
the sexes should fraternize in their sports, in order that men may 
become more womanly and kindly, and women more manly and 
reasonable in their characteristics. We are slowly, but I think 
surely, approaching an age of greater sexual equality, and the race 



MENTAL AND PHYSICAL RECREATION. 251 

will be better and happier when it is reached. We have had enough 
of rough and heartless men, and of debilitated and babyish women. 
The lawyer and sheriff fatten on the former, and the flatter mainly 
supply the bread and butter wherewith the doctors are fed. 

Among popular modes of exercise, outing, and "sport," bicycle 
riding is the fin-de-siede craze of the nineteenth century, and has, 
without doubt, tempted more people of all classes to healthful effort 
than any other form of exercise. It has been taken up by men, 
women, and children, of all ages from three to eighty, and is even 
being recommended as a new " cure-all" for a large variety of com- 
mon complaints. Many physicians have not only experimented 
with its effects upon themselves, but also made a close study of the 
effects upon the people in general. Veteran riders have been sub- 
jected to inspection, to discover if any impairment of physique or 
function has been occasioned by it, but the tests thus far reported 
are very favorable to riding ,; the wheel." The lung capacity is 
markedly increased (about half an inch), and the heart (itself mainly 
a bundle of muscles) is somewhat increased in size 
and power — an effect which may in some cases be 
carried too far. In short, the whole muscular sys- 
tem shows development, for the muscles of the 
back, chest and arms are largely called into action, 
as well as those of the legs. Even in the men who 
ride "hump-backed" it has not been possible to 
discover any permanent physical deformity : but 
taking a spin, those who carry bicycling to excess, especially when 
not originally extra robust, are likely to suffer from nervous exhaus- 
tion, or by over-strain of the heart and arteries; and many sudden 
deaths, some from apoplexy, have followed speedy or long ''runs." 

The greatest evil of this exercise is the tendency to overdo it, and 
while this may be said of any good form of exercise, the temptation 
to excess in speed or distance on the wheel is a propensity inherent 
in its fascinations. In reasonable moderation it seems suitable for 
all who need exercise of any kind: but can seldom be recommended 
to those who have weakness or disease of the circulatory system 
(heart or arteries), or affection of the kidneys. Specialists in dis- 
eases of women seem pretty well agreed that even many having dis- 
- peculiar to women need not necessarily be ruled off — that it 
may even help to relieve local congestion and improve the position 




252 PEEVENTION OF DISEASE. 

of the parts by restoring a better muscular tone. In cases of func- 
tional nervous disease, dyspepsia, constipation, and even gout and 
diabetes, the use of the bicycle has been reported as of good effect. 
The young especially need cautioning and restraining, lest in their 
impetuous and emulative ardor they overtax their strength, and 
do themselves irreparable injury; and the man of fifty or more years 
must remember that he has not the elasticity of youth, and may 
overstrain or burst a blood-vessel if he attempt to keep up the hot 
pace of men in their prime. Women, too, handicapped as most of 
them are by heavy machines, skirts, and muscles less trained to 
severe and continuous effort, should make haste slowly in their 
attempts to become experts, and be especially particular to have a 
comfortable saddle. The perfect saddle for women is not yet in- 
vented, but the long, soft and springy leather ones are generally 
found most comfortable, and therefore least liable to bruise. 

Sleep. 

Nearly every one who is not a baby sleeps too little. Babies are 
in the way, and are dosed with soothing syrups and put to sleep — 
"the troublesome little things! " But when they grow up, excess of 
sleep is exchanged for too little. Business, social intercourse, and, 
in many cases, dissipation, occupy so many of the twenty-four 
hours, that rest is neglected. Many do not seem to know the value 
of sleep. They overlook the fact that it is the season of vital recu- 
peration; that while the body is recumbent, the eyes closed, and the 
faculties at rest, repairs go on which are no less necessary for the 
duration of iife, than for the health of every individual. " Without 
the proper amount of sleep," says Professor Hubland, " the vital 
energy is dried up and withered, and we waste away as a tree would, 
deprived of the sap that nourishes it. The physical effects of sleep 
are, that it retards all the vital movements, collects the vital power, 
and restores what has been lost in the course of the day, and sepa- 
rates us from what is useless and pernicious. It is, as it were, a 
daily crisis, during which all secretions are re-formed in the greatest 
tranquillity and perfection." 

Many medical writers have ijiven their testimony upon this sub- 
ject, and instead of originating a new essay, it is hardly necessary 
to do more under this hea^, than to quote what has already been 
well- written. Dr. J. 0. Jackson lemarks: — 






SLEEP. 253 

" As a habit and fashion with our people, we sleep too little. It 
is admitted by all those who are competent to speak on the subject, 
that the people of the United States from day to day, not only do 
not get sufficient sleep, but they do not get sufficient rest. By the 
preponderance of the nervous over the vital temperament, they need 
the recuperating benefits which sleep can alford during each night as 
it passes. A far better rule would be to get at least eight hours' 
sleep, and, including sleep, ten hours of recumbent rest. It is a sad 
mistake that some make, who suppose themselves qualified to speak 
on the subject, in affirming that persons of a highly wrought, nerv- 
ous temperament need — as compared with those of a more lym- 
phatic or stolid organization — less sleep. The truth is, that where 
power is expended with great rapidity, by a constitutional law, it is 
re-gathered slowly; the reaction, after a while demanding much 
more time for the gathering up of new force, than the direct effort 
demands in expending that force. 

" Thus, a man of the nervous temperament, after he has establish- 
ed a habit of overdoing, recovers from the effect of such overaction 
much more slowly than a man of different temperament would, if 
the balance between his power to do and his power to rest is de- 
stroyed. As between the nervous and lymphatic temperaments, 
therefore, where excess of work is demanded, it will always be seen 
that, at the close of the day's labor, whether it has been of muscle 
or thought, the man of nervous temperament, who is tired, finds it 
difficult to fall asleep, sleeps perturbedly, wakes up excitedly, and is 
more apt than otherwise to resort to stimulants to place himself in a 
condition of pleasurable activity. While the man of lymphatic tem- 
perament, when tired, falls asleep, sleeps soundly and uninterrupt- 
edly, and wakes up in the morning a new man. The facts are 
against the theory that nervous temperaments recuperate quickly 
from the fatigues to which their possessors are subjected. Three- 
fourths of our drunkards are from the ranks of the men of nervous 
temperament. Almost all opium-eaters in our country — and their 
name is legion — are persons of the nervous or nervous-sanguine tem- 
peraments. Almost all the men in the country who become the 
victims of narcotic drug-medicine, are of the nervous or nervous- 
sanguine temperament.'' 

Every medical man of much observation, and every intelligent 
non-professional man, who has given any attention to the laws of 



254 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

health, will not hesitate to indorse Dr. Jackson's views, as expressed 
in the foregoing paragraphs. People of the nervo-sanguine tempera- 
ment are not so successful at manufacturing, as they are extravagant 
in' expending, the vital forces, and as you would control the prodigal- 
ity of a money spendthrift by keeping him employed, so you should 
control the prodigal expender of nervous vitality by keeping him 
asleep as many hours of the twenty-four as can be done without re- 
course to pernicious drugs. 

Insanity often results from want of sleep. " The most frequent 
and immediate cause of insanity," says Dr. Cornell, in the Educa- 
tor, " is want of sleep. Notwithstanding strong hereditary pre-dis- 
position on the part of some people, if they sleep well they will not 
become insane. No advice is so good, therefore, to those who have 
recovered from an attack, or those who are in delicate health, as 
that of securing by all means sound, regular, and refreshing sleep." 

Dr. Spicer says: u There is no fact more clearly established in the 
physiology of man than this : That the brain expends its nerves and 
itself during the hours of wakefulness, and that these are recuper- 
ated during sleep ; if the recuperation does not equal its expenditure, 
the brain withers — this is insanity. Thus it is that in early English 
history, persons who were condemned to death by being prevented 
from sleeping, always died raving maniacs ; thus it is also, that those 
who starve to death become insane ; the brain is not nourished, and 
they cannot sleep." 

With a little sensible advice, which I quote from Dr. Hall's 
Journal of Health, as to how to go to bed, I will close this essay. 
" In freezing winter-time," says Dr. Hall, " do it in a hurry, if there 
is no fire in the room, and there ought not to be unless you are quite 
an invalid. But if a person is not in good health, it is best to undress 
by a good fire, warm and dry the feet well, draw on the stocking3 
again, run into a room without a fire, jump into bed, bundle up, with 
head and ears under cover for a minute or more, until you feel a 
little warmth ; then uncover your head, next draw off your stockings, 
straighten out, turn over on your right side and go to sleep. If a 
sense of chilliness comes over you on getting into bed, it will always 
do you an injury ; and its repetition increases the ill effects without 
having any tendency to ' harden ' you. Nature ever abhors vio- 
lence. We are never shocked into good health. Hard usage makes 
no garment last longer." 



CLEANLINESS. 



255 



Fig. 72. 



One word more before concluding, *Tt is reaiiy quite important 
t^at a person should retire on the right side. This position favors 
the passage of the contents of the stomach into the duodenum, or 
lower stomach. It is well that what remains in the stomach ok 
going to bed, should be disposed of, 
and that position which will the 
best conduce to the digestion and 
removal of this matter, is the one 
which should be adopted. By the 
time the sleeper has become tired of 
resting on his right side, unless he 
has taken a late supper, his digestive 
organs will have been sufficiently 
relieved to allow him, without dis- 
advantage, to turn upon the left. 
Sleeping upon the back is a bad hab- 
it, because the pressure of the con- 
tents of the bowels upon some im- 
portant arteries, interferes with a 
free circulation of the blood, result- 
ing in frightful and disagreeable 
dreams, and nightmare. 

Cleanliness. 

Insomuch as uncleanliness is the 
parent of epidemics, so is cleanli- 
ness a preventive of disease. Many 
do not know, while others who do, 
overlook the fact, that the skin 
is full of little sewers, called 
pores, through which are emptied 
out from the blood, five-sevenths 
of all its impurities. It must be 
remembered that while the intes- 
tines carry off one kind of waste 
matter, and the bladder and urethra 
another, there are over twenty miles of perspiratory tubes engaged iu 
disposing of effete matter, unless obstructed by neglect ; and unciean* 




PERSPIRATORY GLAND (e) AND TUBE 
I F) LEADING TO SURFACE THROUGH SEV- 
ERAL LAYERS THAT MAKE THE SKIN. 



256 PRETENTION OF DISEASE. 

ly accumulations on the skin, are, in a measure, as injurious to the 
heakh, as constipation or suppression of the urine. The annexed 
cut, Fig. 72, represents, magnified, one of the perspiratory glands 
and tubes. Dr. Wilson has counted 3,528 in a square inch, on the palm 
of the hand, of these minute but useful organs. When the skin is neg- 
lected, these tubes, or pores become literally dammed up, and if na- 
ture cannot force a passage through them for disposing of effete mat- 
ters, her next attempt is to throw them out in the form of pimples, 
ulcers, or boils. If this effort is not successful, they remain ir the 
circulation, poisoning the blood and making that fluid, which should 
be the dispenser of health, the fountain of corruption and disease. 

Daily bathing is not indispensable to protect the outlets of these 
little sewers. Many people cannot bathe every day. The friction 
of the hand over the whole surface of the body, with an occasional 
"bath, will answer in many cases. Comparatively few, however, are 
injured by an excess of soap and water, and every one who is not 
advised by his own symptoms, or his physician, not to do so, may 
use plenty of water without injury by employing that temperature 
which best promotes subsequent good feeling. The after effect is a 
good monitor to govern the frequency of bathing, and to direct as to 
the temperature most conducive to individual health. But while 
keeping the excretory pores active, it is also necessary to see that 
the liver and kidneys are performing their offices, for if they are not, 
the active skin will become the outlet of an undue share of the 
waste matters of the system, and cause odors to be emitted which 
are obnoxious to all who value pure air, and especially to those who 
have sensitive olfactories. 

If men and women were careful in eating and drinking, it would 
be necessary that all the outlets of waste matter should be kept free 
from obstruction ; but when excesses in eating and drinking are the 
rule, rather than the exception, when the mouth and the stomach are 
made receptacles of every thing which tickles the palate, whether the 
'system requires it or not, it becomes still more necessary that the 
variou3 sewers which nature has provided for the emptying out of 
useless matter, should be kept active and free from every thing that 
obstructs the performance of their functions. A good breath is 
greatly dependent upon the healthful activity of the skin, liver, and 
kidneys. If these are all in working condition, the rubbish of the 
eystem passes off freely. If they are not, it goes through a process 



PURE AIR. 257 

of decomposition, and sends its odorous gases through the blood to 
the lungs, from which they are carried out with the vapors exhaled. 



Pure Air. 

Little need be said under this caption in addition to what may be 
found in the essay entitled, " The Atmosphere We Live In ;" but the 
importance of pure air as a preserver of health is so great, that this 
chapter would be incomplete without at least an allusion to it. 
"People have often said, 1 ' remarks a writer in the Scientific Ameri- 
can, "that no difference can be detected in the analyzation of pure 
and impure air. This is one of the vulgar errors difficult to dislodge 
from the ordinary brain. The fact is that the condensed air of a 
crowded room gives a deposit, which, if allowed to remain a few 
days, forms a solid, thick, glutinous mass, having a strong odor of 
animal matter. If examined by the microscope, it is seen to undergo 
a remarkable change. First of all,' it is converted into a vegetable 
growth, and this is followed by the production of multitudes of 
animalcules — a decisive proof that it must contain certain organic 
matter, otherwise it could not nourish organic beings. A writer in 
Dickens' Household Words, in remarking upon this subject, says that 
this was the result arrived at by Dr. Angus Smith, in his beautiful 
experiments on the air and water of towns, wherein he showed how the 
lungs and skin gave out organic matter, which is, in itself, a deadly 
poison, producing headache, sickness, disease, or epidemic, according 
to its strength. Why, if a few drops of the liquid matter obtained 
by the condensation of the air of a foul locality introduced into the 
vein of a dog, can produce death by the usual phenomena of typhus 
fever, what incalculable evils must it not produce on those human 
beings who breathe it again and again, while rendered fouler and less 
capable of sustaining life with every breath. Such contamination of 
the air, and consequent hot-bed of fever and epidemic, it is easily 
within the power of man to remove. Ventilation and cleanliness 
will do all, so far as the abolition of this evil goes ; and ventilation 
and cleanliness are not miracles to be prayed for, but certain results 
of common obedience to the laws of God." 

Few people take in enough fresh air to keep their systems well 
supplied with electricity. Thousands of women in our large towns 
do not venture out of their houses oftener than once a week in cold 



258 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

weather, and these houses are protected by patent weather-strips, 
and every possible device for excluding the breath of heaven ; ancl 
when the dear creatures do summon the courage to face a north or 
east wind, they so envelop themselves in heavy clothes, furs, and 
veils, that they can hardly see out. Beneath all this muffling, they 
breathe over and over again their own exhalations, with scarcely 
enough fresh air to even partially disinfect them. Of course their 
verdict is, on re-entering their residences, that it does not agree with 
them to go out ; so they stay in until some necessity compels them 
to go out again. Professional men cloister themselves in their offices, 
and work up with hard thinking what little vitality they derive from 
imperfectly digested food. Business men stick to their counting- 
rooms with as great pertinacity as the bull-dog hangs to the nose of a 
stag, and expend their nervous forces in business-planning, and be- 
laboring their brains with long columns of figures. With such 
practices in vogue, the stone, the brick, the mortar, the double 
window-sashes, the weather-strips, etc., which are devised by cun- 
ning hands to protect us from the storms of winter, and to shelter 
us from the oppressive heat and dust of summer, form so many 
barriers between man within and the health-giving element without. 
With stoves to furnish heat to destroy what little life the confined air 
originally possessed, he breathes over and over a few hundred cubic 
feet of air, as if it were an expensive commodity delivered at the 
door by the conscienceless express companies, instead of the free gift 
of God which can be had by opening a door or window. 

Besides opening our houses for the ingress of pure air, our clothes 
should not be made of such water-proof material as to exclude it. 
Besides going out to parks, cleanly streets, and the country for it, an 
air bath before going to bed, is an excellent promoter of sleep. Dr. 
Franklin found this so ; and many philosophical men and women 
nowadays take air-baths. An intelligent woman informed me that 
she could not sleep without spending an hour in a nude state in a 
well -ventilated room before retiring. This may appear a little incon* 
sistent with Dr. Hall's suggestion as to making haste into bed ; but I 
have no doubt that there are many people who would be benefited by 
this practice. Such, for instance, as are full of blood and animal ca- 
loric ; and those who, instead of experiencing a chill, would find sim- 
ply a sense of coolness creeping over the skin, followed by a reaction 
immediately after covering up warmly. We breathe through the 






SUNSHINE. 259 

pores of the skin as well as by the lungs. These microscopic lungs 
cannot be safely insulated from the air. 

Especially should the sick-room be well ventilated. Not only 
should the air therein be cautiously changed in inclement seasons, 
but disinfectants should be freely used. It is not difficult to obtain 
these, nor are they expensive. A large bowl of water standing 
in a sick-room will absorb an immense quantity of impure gases. 
k * Few." remarks a writer, '"are aware of the valuable antiseptic 
properties of charcoal in the sick-room, or of its purifying effects in 
crowded chambers. A dozen pieces, the size of a hazel-nut, placed in 
a saucer or soup-plate, daily moistened with boiling water, will, in 
the course of a week, have gathered their own weight in impure air. 
At the end of the sixth day they should be removed, and the former 
ones burned, as in cases of disease they have gathered the poisonous 
exhalations, and are. therefore, no longer without danger/' In sick- 
ness or health, we cannot afford to do without pure air, and as it 
comes to us without money and without price, it is one of those 
God-given blessings which the poor may enjoy as well as the rich. 
Let us all have plenty of it. Next, let me call the attention of the 
reader to — 

Sunshine. 

It is said that if a potato Js put into a warm cellar with one small 
window, the potato will sprout, and that the leading vine will run 
along the floor of the cellar until it reaches the window, when it will 
make directly for it, and continue to grow in that direction as long 
as it can support itself. House-plants instinctively turn their leaves 
toward the windows, thirsty for sunlight. A running vine planted 
in a shady locality, seems almost to possess intelligence in creeping 
around where the rays of the sun may fall upon it. Now, shall not 
mankind be as wise as the plant, or as sagacious as the potato ? 

Dr. Moore, the metaphysician, speaking of the necessity of sunlight, 
thai : — "A tadpole, confined in darkness, would never become a 
frog ; an infant, being deprived of heaven's free light, will grow 
into a shapeless idiot instead of a beautiful and responsible being. 
Hence, " continues the same writer, "in the deep, dark gorges and 
ravines of the Swiss Yalais, where the direct sunshine never reaches, 
the hideous prevalence of idiocy startles the traveller. It is a strange 
melancholy idiocy. Many of the citizens are incapable of articulate 



260 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

speech. Some are deaf; some are blind; some labor under all these 
privations ; and all are misshapen in every part of the body. 1 be- 
lieve there is in all places a marked difference in the healthfulness of 
houses according to their aspect with regard to the sun, and those 
are decidedly the most healthful, other things being equal, in which 
all the rooms are, during some part of the day, fully exposed to the 
direct light. Epidemics attack inhabitants on the shady side of 
the street, and totally exempt those on the other ; and even in epi- 
demics such as ague, the morbid influence is often thus partial in its 
labors." 

Sunlight not only imparts vital magnetism to the extent of pre- 
venting disease, but it has been resorted to with success as a curative 
agent. One of our journals commenting upon the healing influence 
of light, remarks that, u Sir James Wylie, late physician to the Em- 
peror of Russia, attentively studied the effects of light as a curative 
agent in the hospitals of St. Petersburg ; and he discovered that the 
number of patients who were cured in rooms properly lighted, was 
four times greater than that of those confined in dark rooms. This 
led to a complete reform in lighting the hospitals of Russia, and with 
the most beneficial results. In all cities visited by the cholera, it was 
universally found that the greatest number of deaths took place in 
narrow streets, and on the sides of those having a northern expo- 
sure, where the salutary beams of the sun were excluded. The inhab- 
itants of the southern slopes of mountains are better developed, and 
more healthy than those who live on the northern sides ; while those 
who dwell in secluded valleys are generally subject to peculiar dis- 
eases and deformities. 

" The different results above mentioned are due to the agency of 
light, without a full supply of which, plants and animals maintain 
but a sickly and feeble existence. Eminent physicians have observed 
that partially deformed children have been restored by exposure to the 
sun and the open air. As scrofnla is most prevalent among the children 
of the poor in crowded cities, this is attributed, by many persons, to 
their living in dark and confined houses — such diseases being most 
common among those residing in underground tenements." 

In scrofulous affections and bodily deformities, Dr. Edwards 
advised isolation in the open air, and nudity where it would not be 
incompatible with comfort, as calculated to restore the sufferer. 
People having a consumptive diathesis, or those having a> con- 



SUNSHINE. * 261 

sumptive ancestry, should pay particular attention, in the choice of a 
location for a dwelling, to select one which has a southern exposure. 
Sick people are too apt to be regardless of their surroundings, and 
depend entirely upon their physician to cure them. A thoughtful 
man, when he is affected with illness, will seek to discover the cause, 
and also the influences surrounding him which may aggravate the 
complaint. On making an investigation, he may not only find that 
his rooms are not well ventilated ; that the location is not free from 
swampy dampness; but that his dwelling is so situated behind hills, 
or under so much shade, as to entirely shut him in from the light of 
the sun. Discovering these disadvantageous conditions, he should at 
any sacrifice of business or property, if he values health and life, 
betake himself to some spot where he may secure all of nature's 
agencies for his recovery. 

Occasionally, some one daily exposed to the sun in the heat of sum- 
mer, gets an over-dose of the curative agent, and has an attack of 
sun-stroke. All active medicines are injurious taken in over-doses; 
but sometimes the sun's heat is censured for what bad habits have 
induced. If a man eats and drinks excessively, or sets his blood on 
fire with u camphene whiskey,' 1 he is more liable than anybody else 
to have sun-stroke. Some medicines become injurious by mixing, and 
it could hardly be supposed that the pure sunlight, fresh from God's 
laboratory, would mix well with the vile drinks of our low groggeries. 
As, however, the lightnings of heaven sometimes kill innocent people, 
continuous exposure to a summer's sun may, in some cases, strike 
down sober, temperate men. To avoid this, those who are compelled 
to work in the sunlight during the hottest days of the year, would 
do well to wear a wet napkin or handkerchief on the top of the head, 
under the hat. The farmer or gardener has something still better in 
the cabbage leaf, which may be dipped in water and worn in the same 
way. Actual sun-stroke, however, requires stimulants to be employed, 
and not bleeding or depleting medicines, as in the treatment of apo- 
plexy. A writer correctly remarks that it " resembles apoplexy in 
some of its external features, and is often mistaken for it, but in truth 
is very different ; the brain is not congested as in that disease, no 
effusion of blood or serum on the brain's surface ; the patient is pale, 
cold, and quiet; or, as is often the case, he is convulsed and has trem- 
ors like one in delirium tremens, both on approaching and recovering 
from insensibility — his pulse weak, quick, and frequent, 100 to 160. 



262 * PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

On the contrary, in apoplexy he is flushed, heaving, and stertorous, 01 

his breathing is very hard — pulse full, strong, and slow." 

Let no one, however, he afraid of sunlight because of occasional ca- 
ses of sun-stroke. If statistics could be obtained regarding those who 
die directly or indirectly from want of sunshine, we should find that 
this class would number a thousand to one who dies of an over-dose. 
People in the country are apt to bury themselves beneath the foliage 
of shrubs and trees, and bid defiance to the few rays that do pene- 
trate, by closing the green blinds which shelter the parlor windows. 
Mechanics and a great many of the business men in cities, are con- 
tented to pursue their avocations all day by gas-light. There is 
said to be an office in Nassau Street, in this city, the window of 
which is so shut in by its contiguity to another building, that the sun- 
light never enters it ; and that every one who has occupied it for the 
past ten or fifteen years, died of consumption. 

People who break away from their business for summer recreation, 
and make tours to the watering-places, think that they derive great 
advantage from change of air. It is true that they do. The qualities 
of the air are greatly modified and affected by the geological forma- 
tions beneath the surface, and the vegetable products which present 
themselves above; so that one cannot breathe the air of any of these 
locations, without extracting certain properties which the system re- 
quires. In this way, change of air frequently proves highly beneficial ; 
but, in many of these cases, benefits are attributed to this cause, when 
they are more greatly due to exposure to sunlight. When people 
allow the sun to paint their faces brown, torpid livers are less liable 
to paint them yellow. 

Good Temper, 

And, I might also add, a clear conscience, are necessary for the 
preservation of health ; but, in my essay on the " Violation of the Moral 
Nature," all has been said that need be in regard to the importance 
of having the conscience free from a sense of self-accusation and re- 
morse. I will, however, say something in this place, about good-tem- 
per, and its beneficial effects upon the system. Just exactly to that 
degree in which men and women are improved by a cheerful, un- 
prejudiced condition of mind, they are physically injured by a 
morose, bigoted, and selfish habit of thought. Anger, jealousy, envy, 
distrust, and personal dislikes, all tend to induce nervous diseases. 



GOOD TEMPER. 263 

When the white man hates the Indian , when the Irishman detests 
the colored man; when the Yankee feels like fighting the u cockney ;" 
when the Hindoo, laboring under prejudice of caste, will not associ- 
ate with the European ; when the Mohammedan regards the Chris- 
tian as a hog ; when a full-blooded African disdains to associate 
with a mulatto or quadroon ; there are certain mental emotions ex- 
perienced, which contort the features and disturb the harmony of the 
whole system. The indications of such feeliug are at once conveyed 
to the face, and, to some extent, leave their impress on the facial 
muscles, giving to the individual habitually indulging therein, a 
countenance more or less disagreeable. They make themselves felt 
upon the nervous system, by irritating it, and disturbing the harmo- 
nious circulation of the nervous forces. They also impair digestion, 
and interfere with the healthy action of the liver. 

Chronic grumblers are never really well. They cannot be. They 
keep their sensitive nerves constantly vibrating with discordant 
emotions ; yet grumbling is indulged in by people of all religions and 
nationalities. The farmer leans over his fence and grumbles about 
his crops. Showers have been too frequent and the ground is too 
wet; or a drought is scorching his growing vegetables. The trades- 
man grumbles because trade is too dull ; or, when customers are 
coming in numerously, he grumbles because of overwork. Even the 
parson grumbles because his parishioners fail to u come to time " in 
requiting him for his labors in the pulpit. Grumbling gives the 
features a pinched, u sour-milk,' ' appearance; vitiates the gastric 
juices, and dries up the secretions. These effects are only just pen- 
alties on the person who allows his temper to be thus disturbed ; but 
his innocent family and friends suffer with him, as they are kept in 
a perpetual " nettle," and this induces nervous derangements in 
them. Many a good wife has been worn into her grave by a grum- 
bling husband ; and many a good husband has been driven from inti- 
mate association with his family by a fault-finding wife. The chil- 
dren in either case, are brought up in a hot-bed of discontent, which 
makes its impress first on the buoyancy of their young spirits, and 
then on their nervous systems. 

Petulance is worse than grumbling. Many people are like snap- 
ping bugs, that cannot be touched without snapping ; or like rattle- 
snakes that cannot be looked at without hissing from their throats 
gnd rattling their bones. Such folks are said to be "full of bile; ?> 



264 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

but the petulance causes the bilious condition, instead of the lattei 
causing the petulance. Petulance often causes hysteria among women, 
and hypochondriasis among men. Artemus Ward said, that U G. 
Washington never slopped over." Petulant men and women are con- 
stantly slopping over, and there is no nervous rest or happiness for 
those who get bespattered with their venomous utterances. Even 
dogs stand about them with ears and tail down, and with an increased 
susceptibility to distemper and hydrophobia. Perfect health is in- 
compatible with a petulant disposition, and cannot be maintained by 
those who are compelled to associate intimately with petulant people. 

Violent temper is worse than petulance. It is absolutely danger- 
ous to life as well as to health. I have known people to bring on 
attacks of hemorrhage by indulging in explosive anger. Such 
tempestuous emotion causes congestion. At such moments the 
blood presses the brain, and jumps violently through the delicate 
machinery of the heart; it unduly fills the arteries and veins of the 
lungs; it completely arrests digestion, and suspends biliary secretion. 
All the vital machinery is clogged with the undue presence of the 
perturbed vascular fluids. 

People who have naturally good temper deserve no credit for being 
habitually good-natured ; but those who have a fretful disposition or 
violent temper, are censurable for indulging in grumbling or rage. 
There is no work so necessary and ennobling as that of rooting out 
inherited bad qualities. As soon as they are discovered the work 
should begin in earnest, nor should it be suspended till they are 
completely eradicated. If the aspiration for moral perfection is 
not sufficient to prompt this effort, then selfishness should, for every 
one desires to have health, and this is not permanently compatible 
witli the indulgence of an irritable or violent temper. Move around 
good-naturedly. Let your soul shine out as brightly as the sun at 
noon-day. It will warm yourself within, and all those whom you 
hold dear without. It will promote harmony of action in your 
intricate physical machinery, and make all about you happy and 
more nearly healthy. 

Keep the Feet Warm. 

Almost every reader of this book is undoubtedly aware of the 
prevalence of cold feet. You, who are at this moment perusing these 
pages, may have cold feet> and think this condition of little conse- 



KEEP THE FEET WARM. 265 

quence. You know your neighbor across the way is affected in the 
same way ; and perhaps you know hardly any one who is not subject 
to cold feet, at least during the winter. The husband often jokes his 
wife in the presence of friends, " that her feet are like icicles, 1 ' and 
the levity which follows shows the entire misapprehension on the part 
of the popular mind, of the serious character of the impaired circu- 
lation which is indicated by this affection. When there is little 
blood in the extremities, where do you suppose that fluid is ? It is 
certainly confined within the skin somewhere. Perhaps it has not 
occurred to your mind that the frequent headaches with which you 
are affected, arise from an undue supply of blood in the head ; or, 
that you have fluttering and palpitation of the heart, from a pressure 
of the fluid in that organ; or, that the pain in your right side pro- 
ceeds from the congestion of blood in your liver ; or that an affec- 
tion of your lungs or stomach is caused by a pressure of blood in 
them. There is really no such thing as computing the number of 
those who die annually from cold feet, or, what is the same thing, 
from diseases induced by congestion of some vital part, or parts, at 
the expense of th: ieet, which are left without a sufficient supply of 
blood. Although cold feet do not directly kill the patient, warm 
feet would jure him, and the invalid dies because this equilibrium in 
the circulation is not established. Let us look for a moment into the 
cause of cold feet. It is probably known to most intelligent readers 
that the healthy action of the heart, and of all the arteries and capil- 
laries, is dependent upon a generous supply of nervous stimulus; and 
this nervous stimulus, I have already shown to be a kind of animal 
magnetism«or electricity. Whenever, then, the vital forces become de- 
ficient in the extremities, there is an insufficiency of nervous stimulus 
given to them, and the arteries and capillaries become, as an inevitable 
consequence, sluggish in their action ; and this failure of the arteries 
and capillaries to perform their functions in the extremities, leads to an 
insufficient supply of blood in the feet, just as a defective pump will 
give an inadequate supply of water to a country kitchen. The blood 
may be too thick, or it may be loaded with impurities ; still if the 
arterial and capillary action is sustained by an abundant supply of 
nervous or magnetic foroe, the blood keeps moving to the feet, and 
the toes are made warm by the presence of an abundance of blood. 
It is true, however, that if the blood is in a diseased state, its circu- 
lation to the extremities is retarded, unless nature supplies a suf- 
12 



266 PRETENTION OF DISEASE. 

ficiently increased nervous stimulus to off-set this difficulty. Thi$ 
qualification does not in the least affect the accuracy of my first 
statement as to the cause of cold feet ; for it still remains true that 
the nervous forces must precede the blood circulation, and prepare 
the way for it, and that any means which may be used to supply, 
divert, or stimulate these forces in the bloodless part will, if followed 
up with reasonable patience, result in a cure. 

To preserve the warmth of the feet, one of the first things neces- 
sary is, to keep them warmly dressed. I have alluded in the essay 
on "The Clothes we Wear," and also in a preceding essay of this 
chapter, to the importance of dressing the feet and extremities as 
warmly as the shoulders and chest are dressed. The next thing to 
be observed, is to avoid disturbing the harmony and force of nervous 
action in the arteries and capillaries of the feet by too much fire 
warmth. Holding the feet habitually to the stove, grate, register, or 
fireplace, will induce cold feet, even in those who are not subject to 
them, by relaxing the capillaries and arteries, and destroying the 
harmony of that nervous action which in health is very busy in mov- 
ing the blood through its natural channels, whether we are wrapped 
in unconscious slumber, or engaged in the festivities of the dance. 
Habitually bathing the feet in warm water will also, in time, produce 
arterial and capillary relaxation in the extremities. Those who oc- 
casionally have cold feet, and resort to hot-water foot-baths io cure 
them, obtain momentary relief, but the difficulty is made worse and 
worse every time the hot bath is resorted to. If there existed in all 
cases, constitutional vitality enough, cold-water foot-baths would be 
excellent treatment for cold feet, as hot water really is for uncom- 
fortably hot feet ; for the reaction from cold baths is warmth, and 
the reaction from hot baths is coldness. In a great many, perhaps 
in a majority of cases, the vitality is too low to effect a warm reac- 
tion when cold is applied ; while the less vitality a person has, the 
more certain are hot water applications to produce a cold reaction. 
Hence it will be perceived that popular habits are entirely wrong in 
the management of cold feet. 

By this time, some fair reader is mentally inquiring, What am I 
to do, doctor? I must not put my feet to the fire, nor into warm 
water, and I cannot go to sleep with cold feet. Now, you will laugh 
when I tell you ; but if you will try it, you will in less than ten days, 
bless me for the suggestion. It is simply this : Have some kind 



KEEP THE FEET WARM. 



267 



friend, for about twenty minutes, or half an hour, every evening, hold 
your feet in his or her hands as represented in the annexed cut. 

The shoes must remain on, and morocco, or other leather, is better 
than prunella or cloth. Place the feet in the lap of your friend, and 
have him or her place the hands over them, so that the palms will 
rest upon the toes and instep, while the thumbs and fingers grasp 
the soles of the shoes with sufficient firmness to exclude the air from 
between the hands and the parts of the shoes covered by the hands. 

Fig. T5 




WARMING THE FEET MAGNETICALLY, AND STIMULATING ARTERIAL AND CAPILLAKT 
ACTIVITY. 



In this way preserve the grasp immovably, with a gentle, but not 
pinching pressure, until the feet become warm, which will not re- 
quire many minutes. This method is invaluable because it imparts 
magnetic warmth, which acts as a tonic to the arteries and capilla- 
ries ; it diverts the nervous circulation to the extremities by that in- 
evitable interchange of animal magnetism which always takes place 
between two persons when they are in contact; it gives to the feet 
more permanent warmth than artificial heat, each warming improv- 
ing the condition of the patient instead of making it worse ; and it 
often vitalizes one who is deficient in nervous vitality, and thereby 



268 PKEVENTTON OP DISEASE. 

improves the general health. The foregoing reasons will suffice, yet 
still more could be given. 

When some other person is available, the husband should not 
employ the wife, nor the wife the husband, to do this feet- warming, 
because they are so frequently in contact that there is less difference 
in their magnetisms than there is between those less familiar, and 
consequently a less active interchange of magnetic forces during the 
process. One of the opposite sex is always preferable to one of the 
same sex, because there is a greater difference between the magnet- 
isms of male and female than usually exists between two of the same 
sex. 

There is still another way of warming the feet, by electricity, which 
may be pursued b} those who have no friends to take sufficient 
interest in them to admit of their adopting the first method proposed. 
It is to put on thin-soled slippers, and scuff the feet, without raising 
them, repeatedly over a woollen carpet, in a room comfortably warm, 
and to continue the exercise until the feet become burning hot. 
This should be repeated as often as once or twice a day, and oftener 
if convenient, until a good circulation is established. This process 
will not accomplish the object as speedily, nor will it so greatly 
benefit the general health, as the plan previously advised ; but it is 
incomparably better in every respect than fire warmth, or the im- 
mersion of the feet in hot water. 

I will add one more suggestion on feet-warming. Those who 
have plenty of vitality and are nevertheless affected with cold feet, 
can generally restore active circulation in the extremities by spring- 
ing out of bed every morning, dashing the feet into cold water for a 
moment, wiping them dry, returning to bed and remaining there 
with plenty of covering upon the feet until they become warm. In 
conclusion, I will say, that I have not patented either of the pro- 
posed plans, and consequently there is no expense in making the 
experiment. Perhaps the cheapness of the treatment is its only ob- 
jection, as people are apt to undervalue that which costs nothing. 

Spring Renovation. 

Such are the habits of mankind in those portions of the world 
called civilized, almost every man, woman, and child emerges from 
the winter season with a decided susceptibility to what are common- 



SPRING RENOVATION. 269 

ly denominated " Spring Disorders." The liver is torpid — the skin 
is sallow — the head feels heavy — sleep is disturbed — the bowels are 
either constipated or relaxed — the tongue is furred — the digestion is 
imperfect — and an overpowering sense of lassitude creeps over the 
whole muscular system, and so affects the mind as to render it rest- 
less or inactive. It is true that lassitude to some extent is the inevi- 
table result of the peculiar properties of the atmosphere of spring. 
The relaxing air which is supplied by nature for the purpose of 
swelling and opening the buds of vegetation, is such as to relax and 
weaken to some degree the muscular fibre, and lessen mental energy; 
but this condition is greatly aggravated, and the symptoms before 
named produced, by bad habits in eating and drinking, and by con- 
fined air, during a season when the appetite is sharpened by frosty 
air, and warm, illy-ventilated apartments are sought for refuge from 
cold. Overloaded stomachs, late entertainments, artificially warmed 
and vitiated air, poison the blood, lower the stock of nervous vitality, 
and thus cripple the motive powers which Nature employs in keep- 
ing the vital machinery in healthful activity. The advent of spring, 
consequently, becomes the harvest of the renders of all sorts of 
panaceas, for these are resorted to by almost everybody. Nature 
has spread her green carpet over the grim soil, beautified the wood- 
land with foliage, festooned the arbors with vines, and the birds seem 
happy. Old Sol looks as if indulging in laughter — and the insects 
creep from the walls and fences to join in the chorus which seems 
to issue from the countless throats of animate nature, and the 
sallow-faced lord of creation cannot understand why he too uoes 
not feel in the mood to enjoy the exit of winter and the preseuce of 
spring. So he takes bitters — not because he knows any thing about 
their properties — but because something must be done ; if not 
bitters, then cathartics ; and he fancies they improve him, for 
bitters are usually stimulating, and cathartics are liable to give him 
something of a cleaning out. If these remedies be not the best that 
could be devised for the purpose, they appear to afford some relief, 
and as they can be obtained about as handily as bread, they are 
swallowed down, q. s. 

Most of the bitters with which the country is flooded are simply 
abominable decoctions, with no medicinal property excepting alcohol. 
If stimulus were wanted, it would be better by far to purchase and use 
some good brandy, rum, or gin ; and if a bitter is desired, steep and 



270 PREVENTION OF DISEASE. 

add a strong decoction of equal parts of hops and chamomile flowers. 
But in most cases of spring disorders, stimulants of any kind pro- 
duce only temporary exhilaration, while the blood is thickened and 
made worse by them. The blood needs cooling and renovating in 
those who are fleshy, and purifying and enriching in those who are 
lean. Therefore, bitters are not what nature requires for spring 
repairs, and the alcoholic property cheats the drinker by making 
him feel momentary improvement, while the real sources of weak- 
ness and discomfort remain undisturbed. 

Cathartics usually act locally upon the contents of the stomach 
and bowels by dissolving them, and quickening peristaltic action, 
without in the least stirring up healthful activity of the liver and 
gall-ducts. Consequently, those who resort to simply purgative or 
cathartic medicines are only improved by the local unburdening of 
the stomach and bowels, while the blood and inactive liver remain 
untouched. The result in this case is, no permanent relief, and 
nature is left, after all, to help herself as best she can. 

The course which ought to be pursued by those who find them- 
selves physically out of order in the spring, is to consult some phy- 
sician in whom they have confidence. Keliance cannot safely be 
reposed in the thousand and one blood-purifiers and sarsaparillas 
which stand in solid battalions on the shelves of the apothecary, nor 
in the anti-bilious pills, or liver pills, which are advertised in the 
newspapers. The former are little more than colored sweetened 
water and alcohol, and the latter possess usually no other than 
purgative properties. Summer sickness may be prevented by spring 
renovation, but any hap-hazard attempt at the latter may only the 
more surely prepare the system for the former. If " a stitch in time 
saves nine," when applied to our garments, it may apply with equal 
truth and felicity to the body the garments envelop. But all 
botch-work should be avoided as the least economical in the end. 

Other Suggestions 

For the prevention of disease may be found in various parts of 
this volume, and especially in the chapter immediately preceding, to 
which this is simply a correlative. It would be supererogatory to 
make this chapter as complete as the subject would require, if the 
one on the " Causes of Nervous and Blood Derangements" were 
omitted. Then, again, in matter coming after this, on chronic 



OTHER SUGGESTIONS. 



271 



maladies, marriage, etc., hints on the prevention of disease will 
naturally find expression where infirmities growing out of physical or 
social discord are treated upon. 

In taking leave of this chapter, therefore, with its seeming incom- 
pleteness, the author takes consolation in the belief that the reader 
will find somewhere in the pages of this volume, the information 
which may possibly be sought and not found in the essays herein 
presented. 




HEALTH AND BEAUTY ARE BOON COMPANIONS. 




CHAPTER IV. 

COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

JAVING glanced at the proximate and many of 

the remote causes of disease, and made some 

suggestions for their prevention, next in order is 

a consideration of appropriate remedies. In 

pointing out and commenting on these, I expect to 

encounter the universal denunciation of old-school 

physicians, and some opposition from the new. 

I am often asked the question — " To what school of 
medicine do you "belong?" My reply is — no school, except 
the school of nature, which I shall christen the Utilitarian 
School, I have been a diligent pupil of all the old masters, and have 
investigated all systems. I am now a devoted pupil of nature; 
intuition is my counselor ; common sense my pharmacopoeia. In 
other words, I am independent — bound by the tenets of no medical 
association, and consequently prejudiced against no new discovery 
which can be made subservient to suffering humanity. Whatever I 
find in earth, air, water, and science, useful as remedial agents, I 
appropriate, and resort thereto, when occasion demands, without 
fear of being confronted by a conservative brother who sees merit 
in nothing which has not the sanction of antiquity. 

I have wasted much time in the exploration of what is inappro- 
priately termed medical science, but have always found instruction 
and entertainment in the great book of nature. The literary pro- 
ductions of old-school writers are often interesting and contain 
much sophistry; nature is refreshing and pregnant with truth. 

Hippocrates flourished over eighteen hundred years before the 
modern science (?) of medicine was founded. He was even unac- 
quainted with the circulation of the blood ; yet he was styled the 



VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 273 

"father of medicine/' and his success in curing disease so excited 
the superstition of the ancients, that many of them believed he 
stayed the plague of Athens. Some are born physicians. Hippoc- 
rates was. Every man possesses a special talent for something, 
and he who becomes a doctor when nature designed him for a reaper, 
will mow down human beings when he should be cutting wheat. 

Redfield, the physiognomist, says that he can tell who are natural 
physicians by the bones in the face. Be describes them as men hav- 
ing an elevation of the arch of the cheek-bone, called the zygomatic 
arch. He says that one possessing this peculiarity, other things 
being equal, "is not only inclined to study and practice, but will 
have a certain instinct for it, which will materially assist his seien- 
tific knowledge.'" u Without this faculty, and its sign, in a superior 
degree/ 1 continues that popular physiognomist, "no person ever 
attained to skill and eminence in the medical profession, or even 
made a good nurse. The North American Indians have this sign 
very large, one of their characteristics being high cheek-bones, and 
they are equally remarkable for their 'medicine men '—so much 
so, that some persons consider the name ' Indian Doctor ' a sufficient 
offset for ignorance and presumption/ ' With regard to my natural 
qualifications, my interested readers will pardon me for saying that, 
besides possessing the sign Redfield describes, my medical pro- 
clivities manifested themselves at an early age. My parents have 
often reverted to my boyhood, when pill-making, <fec, entered con- 
spicuously into the diversions in which J indulged, and facetious 
neighbors dignified the contents of my juvenile waistcoat with the 
title of " Doctor." 

With these remarks, prefatory and egotistic, I will enter upon the 
legitimate mission of this chapter, which is to advocate the merits 
of those classes of remedies which have rendered my practice so 
eminently successful and popular, and to expose some of the most 
prevalent medical errors of the day. 

Vegetable Medicines. 

The trees, shrubs, flowers, and plants, I contend, possess, in a 
refined form, all the medicinal properties of the mineral kingdom. 
Their numerous and far-reaching roots span rocks, ramify in various 
strata of soil, and extract from good old mother earth hor hidden 
medicinal treasures, which are transposed to regions of air, light 
12* 



274 



COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 



and heat, where chemical changes are effected which at once deprive 
them of their grosser characteristics, and render them far more effi- 
cacious and harmless, as antidotes for human infirmities, than they 
can possibly be made in the laboratory of the most skilful chemist. 

It is said that " if a bone be buried just beyond and a little at one 
side of a root, the latter will turn out of its direct course and go in 
pursuit of the bone, and when it finds it, it will stop and send out 
numerous little fibres which, forming a net-work, will envelop the 
bone ; and when all the nourishment has been sucked out of it, the 
root will again pass on its way, and. the temporary fibres thrown 
out around, the bone will gradually disappear." 

Thus the inflexible relic 
of a decomposed carcass 
may be transformed into a 
beautiful flower ! What 
human chemist can do this? 
And yet it is trifling, com- 
pared with what nature is 
daily producing in her 
boundless laboratory. The 
roots of herbage and trees 
have the same power to 
extract the useful proper- 
ties of minerals, and, in a 
measure, derive their nour- 
ishment from the various 
ingredients of the soil. An 
intelligent writer tells us, 
that " one of the most re- 
markable properties of 
plants is the power with 
which they are endowed 
of selecting their food. 
The soil contains various 
kinds of aliment for vege- 
tation, and the little fibrous 
roots that fill the ground select from the whole, and suck in through 
their minute openings just the kind suited to the nature of the plant 
or tree to which they belong. All plants will not thrive on the same 




SPECIMEN OF WHAT CHEMIST NATURE PRODUCES 
IN HER LABORATORY. 



VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 275 

soil any more than all animals will live on the same kind of food. 
Grass and grain require a soil that contains an abundance of silica 
or flint." The soil of Herefordshire, England, is so genial to the 
oak, that the trees bearing this name are called, in that region, " The 
weeds of Herefordshire." 

It is this power of selecting nutriment which renders plants so va- 
rious in their medicinal properties. When we reflect that the earth 
is covered with an endless variety of vegetable products, no two of 
which possess precisely the same properties, how absurd appears the 
conduct of those who wander from the vegetable to the mineral 
world, in search of remedial agents. Even that greatly prized min- 
eral, iron, which enters so extensively into the materia medica of 
modern practitioners, is possessed by vegetables, and may be admin- 
istered without resorting directly to the mineral kingdom for a sup- 
ply. A writer remarking upon the influence of iron on vegetables, 
says: U A curious discovery has recently been made on the chalky 
shores of France and England. Where there is an absence of iron, 
vegetation has a seared and blanched appearance. This is entirely re- 
moved, it appears, by the application of a solution of sulphate of iron. 
Haricot beans watered with this substance, acquired an additional 
weight of sixty per cent; mulberries, peaches, pears, vines, and 
wheat derive advantages from the same treatment. In the cultiva- 
tion of clover, wonderful advantages have been gained by the appli' 
cation of the sulphate of iron on soils in which that ingredient is 
wanting, and in cases where it is desired to produce an early crop." 
Some herbs produce the properties of iron to such an extent that 
they are easily detected in them, and these herbs growing on soil 
where iron ore is found in great abundance, contain it sufficiently to 
answer all the medicinal purposes of the mineral, and in a form much 
more suited to the needs of the animal organization than that worked 
up in the laboratory of the chemist. The vegetable kingdom prac- 
tically steps in between man and the mineral world, and says — "Do 
not. man, eat dirt or the crude indigestible substances that are found 
therein. I will send my roots deep into the earth, seek out the medi- 
^ines buried beneath its surface, filter them through my fibres, expose 
cliem to the magnetic rays of the ripening sun, and then hand them 
over to you, deprived of the dregs that would otherwise obstruct the 
wonderful machinery whereby you move and exist." 

I have already alluded to the instinct of plants in searching out 



276 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

bones, and taking from them the mineral properties they possess. A 
curious illustration of this is found in the fact, that when the grave of 
Roger Williams was opened in Providence, some years ago, it was 
discovered that the roots of an apple-tree had struck into the skull, 
and following the course of the spine, had branched at the legs, and 
turned up at the feet ! Besides this instinct to search out suste- 
nance, there is evidence that vegetation possesses sensorial power to 
some degree. There are plants which, when you touch their leaves 
in the most gentle manner, fall to the ground as if wilted and dead, 
and then in a few moments after recover their usual appearance. 
There are flowers which only open when the rays of the morning 
sun reach out from the east and touch their folded leaves ; there 
are others which are so sensitive to sunlight, they remain closed 
during its presence, and only display their beauties and fragrance to 
the stars. The sensorial life of a plant is probably not unlike that of 
man when in that condition of repose which renders him unconscious 
intellectually of what is passing about him, and yet fully appreciative 
of existence and the luxury of rest. All of you have experienced 
this sleep in your morning naps. The bite of a fly, or the slight 
prick of a pin causes the flesh to recoil, or the muscular fibre to 
quiver when you are in this condition. And if you will take pains 
to observe, you will discover that the breaking of a leaf, or the pluck- 
ing of a flower, produces to a perceptible degree some such motion 
in the ordinary plant or tree, while there are specimens of vegetable 
life which seem absolutely to suffer pain when their foliage is rudely 
disturbed. It is pleasant, therefore, to believe that that very restful 
semi-unconsciousness which still allows an appreciation of existence, 
such as we have in conscious sleep, constitutes the sensorial life of 
the vegetable world, and confers upon it at least passive enjoyment. 
And when we find the vegetable world so near us, so in sympathy, 
if you please, with our existence, so instinctive in seeking and di- 
gesting the useful minerals of the soil, so assimilating when taken 
into our bodies, what folly to excavate the earth for medicine ! 

Paracelsus was the Adam of the medical worid. Through him 
came sin into the profession. He was the introducer of mineral 
medicines. He is the prototype of the old school. Read what his 
biographer says of him : — 

" Paracelsus was a man of most dissolute habits and unprincipled 
character, and his works (opera) are filled with the highest flights 



VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 277 

of unintelligible bombastic jargon, unworthy of perusal, but are such 
as might be expected from one who united in his person the qualities 
of a fanatic and a drunkard" 

Gross minds beget gross ideas — demand gross food and gross reme- 
dies. They naturally turn from the study of the green trees and 
beautiful flowers, with which the brown earth is adorned, and whose 
luxuriant branches point upward to heaven and health. Thus it 
was with Paracelsus, who, in the fifteenth century, exalted quicksil- 
ver, or quack-silver, usually called mercury, to the family of medi- 
cines. For this great exploit he earned the name of Quack. This 
epithet was never applied before. His followers like his remedy, but 
not his name, and have ever since been trying to shift it upon the 
Botanies, who desire neither the " game " nor u name." But those 
who know the origin of the term, cannot, with propriety, mis- 
apply it. 

They may loom up in science as high as they will, 
The odor of quack must stick to them still. 

The value of mercury as a remedial agent has been ably handled 
in the Journal of Medical Reform, and for the benefit of those whose 
" one cure-all ' is the blue-pill, or other preparation of mercury, I 
can not do better than copy it in full : — 

"If evidence were wanted/' says the writer, "to prove the inju- 
rious effects of the various preparations of mercury on the organism, 
we know not where we may look for more decided testimony than is 
to be found in the admissions of those physicians who have the most 
extensively employed them in their own practice. The same amount 
of evidence against any other article of the materia medica would 
have rendered its use a matter of universal reprehension. It would, 
doubtless, have become obsolete, or, possibly, have been made a 
penal offence, under all circumstances, to exhibit it. 

" That mercury has destroyed more lives than it has saved, and 
entailed upon the human family a train of disorders, and an amount 
of suffering past computation or description, no physician who is not 
wholly wedded to the errors of early education, or a slave to the 
authority of musty books and the edicts of self-constituted medical 
tribunals, will venture to deny. The system of medical training in 
this country— the abject deference which is rendered to the opinions 
of the graybeards of the profession, the ceaseless iteration in the ears 
of students of the stale axioms and mouldy dogmas of 4 the fathers/ 



278 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

and the love of mental ease and indolence which characterizes so 
large a portion of the old-school physicians, explain the reason why 
so many worthless and destructive remedies are still retained. Said 
a physician not long since — 'We discover first, the pathological con- 
dition of our patients, then administer such remedies as the hoolcs 
prescribe. If they live, well ; if not, they die secundum artem.'* 
There spoke a host of allopathic practitioners and professors, who 
are too submissive, or too lazy, or too stubborn to think, act, and 
investigate as becomes a free, intelligent being, living in a day of light, 
Improvement, and progress. 

u Some people have insensibly learned to regard this metal as in- 
dispensable — as possessing such peculiar virtues and adaptability to 
cure the ailments to which mankind are subject, that the resources 
of the physician would be fatally restricted if he were deprived of its 
use. But if in all the range of argument, the experience of the med- 
ical world and the history of the Healing Art, one sound, irrefragable 
reason can be advanced in proof of this supposition, we will cheer- 
fully abandon all further opposition to its employment. And more, 
if in the animal, mineral, or vegetable kingdom a solitary agent can 
be found, the use of which has caused, universally, more permanent 
suffering, or wrought more disastrous consequences to the human 
frame, we will confess our ignorance, and charge to the account of 
prejudice or stupidity all the disfavor it has encountered from both 
friends and foes. 

"If, for a long succession of years, the milder as well as the se- 
verer forms of disease had not yielded to the influence of harmless 
remedies, our attack might be considered misdirected and imperti- 
nent. But, fortunately, the truth lies in the reverse of this; and it 
is an insult to the honesty and intelligence of a large class of physi- 
cians, both in this country and in Europe, who are combating suc- 
cessfully with every phase and character of physical disorder, with- 
out in a single instance subjecting the systems of their patients to the 
effects of mercury, to tell them and the world that the changes from 
a state of illness to a condition of health cannot be promoted without 
its agency, or if at all, not as well, as speedily, or as safely. Opinions 
and speculations here are valueless. Facts, unanswered and unan- 
swerable, can be and have been brought to support our assertions. 
It is well known by all who have paid any considerable attention to 
the history of medicine in the United States, that it is but a few years 



VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 279 

since mercury was the principal remedy depended upon by allo- 
pathic physicians for the cure of scarlet fever. If the judgment of 
the 4 Faculty ' was to be taken as final, how does it happen at the 
present day that but few intelligent physicians can be found who ever 
venture to give it in that disease ? If it was indispensable twenty 
years ago, nothing has occurred in the nature of the disease itself to 
render it needless and positively hurtful now. A medical journal of 
the old school, published in this city, told its readers, a few months 
since, that the unprecedented success of botanic physicians in treat- 
ing scarlatina, and the great mortality consequent on a course of mer- 
curial treatment, had forced 'the Profession ' to abandon it altogether. 
The truth is, our doctors, learned though they may be in the mys- 
teries of the art, are not infallible — they are liable to mistake ; and 
if they have committed one such fatal error, they being judges, in so 
important a matter as life and health, we may with propriety chal- 
lenge the correctness of their opinions regarding its necessity and 
virtue in the cure of other maladies. 

" We well recollect, during the early prevalence of an epidemic 
that visited some of the counties of this State five or six years since, 
that this l indispensable ' remedy was exhibited without stint or 
scruple in those cases that came under the charge of allopathic phy- 
sicians. The proposition that every effect must have a cause, prob- 
ably set the people to inquiring why it was that a very large majority 
of the cases so treated terminated fatally, while, with scarcely an 
exception, those patients who were attended by botanic practitioners 
recovered. And the inquiry was a very natural and a very proper 
one. The l accumulated wisdom of a thousand years' said 'give 
calomel, and give it again and again ;' and it was given; but new 
graves were dug day after day, notwithstanding. Mercury was not 
indispensable here. It was a withering, blasting scourge to who]-; 
families. Death needed no better auxiliary. The contrast in these 
cases is too important and too significant to be wholly disregarded. 

"If & substitute for mercury is demanded, we answer, no substi- 
tute is wanted, — none required. It is a pernicious poison, that has 
no legitimate right or claim to a place in the list of medicines 
adapted to the necessity of a human being ; and it was hundreds of 
years after it stole its way into the materia medico, before any but 
the most reckless and empirical ventured to employ it. Agents there 
are in rich profusion, adapted to the cure of every physical ill — safe, 



280 



COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 



innocent, and efficacious. God has scattered them with an unspar- 
ing hand wherever man suffers, or an antidote is required. In the 
days of his primitive simplicity — before he had begun to seek out 
'many inventions,' or had learned to disregard the instincts of his 
own nature, man turned to the vegetable kingdom in the hour of 
sickness; and if we do not mistake the signs of the times, the day is 
not far distant when he will be brought back to a just appreciation 
of the wisdom of his original choice." 

Fig. 7T. 




nature's laboratory— good pood and medicine. 

Henry Ward Beecher truly remarked in one of his sermons, that 
44 there are medicinal roots in every field which have never been dis- 
covered. Many and many a man has been buried within a yard of 
plants, that, if their healing properties had been known, would have 
saved his life." 

It is difficult to regard the system which Paracelsus introduced, 
in any other light than a great stumbling-block in the way of pro- 
gress in the healing art. Had the undivided attention of the medical 



VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 2S1 

profession, for the past three hundred years, been turned in the right 
channel — had physicians studied more to ascertain the properties of 
plants, and left the mineral kingdom to the researches of professed 
mineralogists, what sublime results would reasonably have accrued 
for the promotion of the skill of the physician and the convalescence 
of the sick of the present century ! Like unto the children of Israel, 
a large majority of medical professors have been worshipping the 
metal calf winch Paracelsus, — not Aaron, — set up for them, seeing 
which, the anger of ^Esculapius waxed hot against them, and he 
commanded them to k, go in and out from gate to gate throughout 
the camp," in the language that Moses used to the idolaters of old, 
M and slay every man his brother and every man his companion, and 
every man Ins neighbor." [Exodus xxxii. 27.] How many have 
been slain since the God of medicine issued this edict, there are not 
figures enough, Roman or Arabic, to compute. 

u The present system of medical education, " says a smart news- 
paper writer, " imparts a knowledge of looks, and the precedence 
established by certain ancient practitioners ; it explores the narrow 
channel of usage and custom, deferring to names and opinions, but 
neglects the study of the natural remedies by which we are surround- 
ed. In the commonest of our fields, springing unnoticed by the 
brook-side, and among the pastures, or growing neglected along 
stone walls, are hundreds of plants possessing valuable medicinal 
properties, but of which, not one in forty of our physicians can tell 
the name, much less the use. And yet nothing can be plainer than 
the fact that Nature has furnished a remedy for every disease, and 
that nearly every remedy exists in the vegetable kingdom. "Why 
then is the study of the plants, the roots, and the herbs of the field, 
the forest, and the mountain-side neglected in the education of those 
who are styled doctors ? Is the acquisition of Latin terms and a 
general reliance upon mercury and the knife deemed to be more 
important or safe ?" 

Now and then an old-school physician is encountered who volun- 
tarily confesses the results of his medical experience and research. 
Prof. Magendie, of Paris, is reported to have addressed the students 
of his class in the allopathic college of that city in the following 
langhagfe : — 

" Gp:xtlemen : Medicine is a great humbug. I know it is called a 
science — science indeed ! It is nothing like science. Doctors are 



282 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

mere empirics when they are not charlatans. We are as ignorant 
as men can be. Who knows any thing in the world about medicine? 
Gentlemen, you have done me the honor to come here to attend my 
lectures, and I must tell you frankly now, in the beginning, that I 
know nothing in the world about medicine, and I don't know any- 
body who does know any thing about it. Don't think for a mo- 
ment that I haven't read the bills advertising the course of lectures 
at the Medical School. I know that this man teaches anatomy, that 
man teaches pathology, another man teaches physiology, such a-one 
therapeutics, such another materia medica — Eh Men! et aprest 
What's known about all that ? Why, gentlemen, at the school of 
Montpelier (God knows it was famous enough in its day!), they dis- 
carded the study of anatomy, and taught nothing but the dispensa- 
tory; and the doctors educated there knew just as much and w T ere 
quite as successful as any others. I repeat it, nobody knows any 
thing about medicine. True enough we are gathering facts every 
day. We can produce typhus fever, for example, by injecting a 
certain substance into the veins of a dog — that's something; we can 
alleviate diabetes, and, I see distinctly, we are fast approaching the 
day when phthisis can be cured as easily as any disease. 

" We are collecting facts in the right spirit, and I dare say in a 
century or so the accumulation of facts may enable our successors to 
form a medical science ; but I repeat it to you, there is no such thing 
now as a medical science. Who can tell me how to cure the head- 
ache? or the gout? or disease of the heart? Nobody! Oh ! you tell 
me, doctors cure people. I grant you, people are cured. But how are 
they cured ? Gentlemen, nature does a great deal ; imagination does 
a great deal. Doctors do . . . devilish little . . . when they don't 
do harm. Let me tell you, gentlemen, what I did when I was the 
head physician at Hotel Dieu. Some three or four thousand patients 
passed through my hands every year. I divided the patients into 
two classes : with one I followed the dispensatory, and gave them the 
usual medicines without having the least idea why or wherefore; to 
the other I gave bread pills and colored water, without, of course, 
letting them know any thing about it . . . and occasionally, gentle- 
men, I would create a third division, to whom I gave nothing what- 
ever. These last would fret a good deal, they would feel they were 
neglected (sick people always feel they are neglected, unless they are 
well drugged), .... (les imbeciles !) and they would irritate them- 



VEGETABLE MEDICINES. 283 

selves until they got really sick, but nature invariably came to the 
rescue, ana all the persons in the third class got well. There was a 
kittle mortality among those who received but bread pills and colored 
water, and the mortality was greatest among those who were care- 
fully drugged according to the dispensatory." 

Now, this is talking right out. Here we have the experience and 
oonseqpient inferences of an eminent allopathist. What do his 
brother professors think of it ? We shall not probably know what 
they think, for few of them are so candid as this one. When it is 
borne in mind that the curability of any disease is determined in 
each school of practice by the results of its labors, there is one point 
particularly noteworthy in Prof. Magendie's address. He asks — 
" Who can tell me how to cure the headache? or the gout? or dis- 
ease of the heart?" and then replies — "nobody." This conclusion, 
as well as that of any other of his brother professors, that con 
sumption is incurable, is manifestly drawn from the results of the 
allopathic practice. It is not strange, then, that he pronounces the 
diseases mentioned incurable, for it is contrary to the rules of allo- 
pathy to acknowledge any skill outside of its bigoted ranks. Did its 
members not willfully shut their eyes to the astonishing cures 
effected of these very diseases, by those who have entered a more 
comprehensive field of medicine, they would not give utterance to 
such truthless assertions. If Prof. Magendie will regale himself for 
one season in New York, and spend his leisure moments in my office, 
I will convince him, by the palpable results of my practice, that the 
diseases he enumerates can be cured. 

The closing portion of his address, concerning his experiment with 
dispensatory medicines, bread pills, colored water, etc, is also sug- 
gestive. He says there was the greatest mortality among those who 
took his drugs; a little among those who used the colored water, and 
that those to whom he gave nothing got well. This result is just 
what any man of a particle of common sense would have expected. 
His mineral drugging, as a matter of course, only added another load 
to nature, already burdened with disease ; and colored water was 
not nutritive, but, on the contrary, poisonous, as almost all dye-stuffs 
are. The presence of this in a weak stomach could not fail to have 
something of an injurious effect. 

There are certainly hopes of the reclamation of this professor. He 
may yet learn that" all the sick man needs is simple nourishment 



284: COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

adapted to the nature of his system and disease, such as can always 
be found in the forests and fields, and the electrical or magnetic 
elements which surround him. All enfeebled nature wants is a little 
mild assistance, and if (to use the language of tree-climbing boys) 
you attempt to " boost " too fast, you are sure to upset her. The 
brute creation is more enlightened to-day in medicine than the allo- 
pathic profession. When the horse feels unwell, he eats dock and 
other herbs, if he can get them, and recovers. The cat, subject to 
fits, eats catnip and dispels the disease. If any of my readers have 
a sick cat, just give her some catnip herb, and observe the delight 
which she manifests in rolling on it, snuffing its aroma, and finally 
eating it. Naturalists say that the fox, rabbit, and many other ani- 
mals, keep- themselves from madness by the use of the medicinal 
plants with which their wild abodes are surrounded ; and it is related 
of the grizzly bear of California, that, when he gets wounded, he 
gathers leaves from the bush called u grease- wood,' ' and forces them 
tightly into the wound. If the animal had the intelligence (or rather 
the want of it) to call on an allopathic physician, he would probably 
get a mercurial plaster ! 

Botanic physicians deserve censure for not being more particular 
in obtaining good herbs and roots. They have often earned an unfa- 
vorable reputation by their remissness, when fame would have other- 
wise been their reward. Herbs and roots gathered in the wrong 
season of the year are worthless. Two-thirds of those sold in bo- 
tanic stores are, on this account, but little better than chips. Then, 
too, medicinal plants should always be raised and gathered on their 
native soil. Fishbough very correctly says, that " the vegetation 
indigenous to any particular clime or locality always bears a relation 
to the temperature, soil, and moisture prevalent in that locality. 
The mountains of tropical regions, which rise from a realm of per- 
petual summer to an altitude of eternal snow, are clothed at their 
different elevations by different genera and species of plants, adapted 
to all the gradations of temperature, from the tropic to the arctic. 
An artificial transplantation of any of these vegetable forms is either 
fatal to the latter, or else causes in it a gradual change of constitu- 
tion until it is fully adapted to its new condition." This change in 
constitution is a virtual change in medicinal properties. Those who 
cultivate, either by transplantation, or sowing seed, any medicinal 
plant, in a soil not natural to it, fail to obtain the plant with its full 



THERAPEUTIC ELECTEICITY. 285 

and native properties. Consequently, all who raise in a garden, 
herbs, etc., of every variety, for the market, contribute in a degree 
to the ill success of those physicians who purchase them. During 
the first two years of my practice I collected with my own hands 
nearly all the medicinal plants used in my laboratory — not only 
gathered, but bagged them, and carried them to a convenient 
place to extract, by various processes, the valuable health giving 
medicinal properties hidden away in their fibres. What they yielded 
was as precious as gold, and laid the foundation for a practice so 
large and so exacting of time and energy, that no more of that de- 
lightful botanizing has been possible for me. Whatever may be 
discovered in the way of curative agencies nothing can wholly take 
the place of the modest little plants that hide away in the fields and 
woodlands, or the hardy shrubs or stalwart trees that stand like sen- 
tinels to guard them from unfriendly elements, the former pregnant 
with properties adapted to the upbuilding of diseased tissue, and 
the latter endowed with strength which can be transmitted to en- 
feebled nerve or muscle. Hygienists take them when ill. There 
are thousands of intelligent men and women who do not believe in 
what is usually termed drug treatment, but who are not averse to 
using extracts of roots and herbs. Why should they be ? In the 
interchange between the blood and tissues, the food eaten enables 
nature to put in a new particle wherever an old one is removed. In 
the use of well-selected vegetable remedies a new particle of a better 
quality is supplied, or encouraged to replace the old. Call it blood- 
food if you please, for such it is. It is not only nourishing, but 
stimulative of reparative action — a clearing away of old substance 
and substitution of new. Life in health consists of putting off the 
old and putting on the new, and much disease is merely due to 
inaction or stagnation in the processes of tissue change. Give the 
weakened system the right material and it will make good use of it. 

Therapeutic Electricity. 

If my theory, as given in chapter first, is correct, regarding the 
important part which electricity performs in the animal economy, 
it does not require facts or arguments to prove the value of elec- 
tricity as an auxiliary agent in the treatment of disease. The fact 
is rendered self-evident. It will be remembered that I assume and 



286 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

give facts to prove that the same agent (electricity), which the Al- 
mighty employs to move and regulate the sublime planetary world, 
is used by the mind to move the feet, arms, limbs, and perform the 
various functions of the animal mechanism. 

The only plausible objection to this theory, which I have observed, 
is given by Dr. Ure, who says that electricity will pass through nerves 
which are almost severed and divided, and produce contractions in 
the muscles over which they are distributed, while the nervous forces 
will cease to pass through and perform any muscular motion when 
the nerves are thus lacerated. 

To one who has failed to discover the almost omnipotent power 
and instinctive wisdom of the mind, this objection would appear 
decisive. But my reply is, that animal electricity is controlled by the 
mind to which it belongs, while chemical or other electricity is con- 
trolled by the will of the operator who employs it. In other words, 
animal electricity is governed in its distribution through the system 
by the intelligent mind whose seat is in the brain, and who volunta- 
rily withdraws it from any nerve which may be disabled, lest the 
severed or divided nerve be entirely destroyed by the continued per- 
formance of its legitimate function while in this sorely lacerated con- 
dition. The mind constitutes what is called the vis mcdicatrix 
naturce, or healing power in any animate body, by which, when dis- 
eased, the system is assisted to recover. It is the " family doctor " 
of the organs, over which it presides. Consequently, notwithstand- 
ing the mind has not the power to resist electricity artificially applied 
to any disabled nerve, by an operator, it can and does control its own 
electricity, and will not allow it to traverse a wounded nerve. Nor 
can this peculiar power of the mind be overcome by the will in such 
a case, any more than the will can arrest the action of the involun- 
tary organs, which are under the control of the immortal principle 
or mind of the individual ; and who can stop the pulsations of the 
heart by an effort of the will ? 

The perfect control which the mind has over its own electrical 
agent is again exhibited when business or family troubles or bereave- 
ments overtake an individual. The brain, stimulated to painful 
activity, consumes more than its due proportion of the nervo-electric 
fluid, and the mind withdraws enough from the stomach and vital 
organs to supply the demands of its most important dependent. In 
consequence of this physiological " panic," the heart, liver, stomach, 



THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICITY. 287 

eta. (corresponding to the merchants), fail, and the brain (bank) takes 
care of itself. In diseases induced by mental depression^ we there- 
fore find electricity valuable as an assistant, although, in consequence 
of the blood derangements entailed thereby, insufficient unless sup- 
ported by nutritive and purifying vegetable remedies. 

It is the interruption or partial withdrawal of the nervo-electric 
circulation, which causes what we term "nervous diseases;" and 
there are more affections of this character than were ever dreamed of 
in the allopathic philosophy. There is often an inharmonious action 
of the nervous forces in lung, liver, heart, and kidney diseases. All 
these organs perform their appropriate offices under the stimulus of 
electricity. For instance — the lungs are not expanded and contracted 
by the inhalation and exhalation of air, but the diaphragm is thrown 
downward, and the air vesicles opened by the nervo-electric forces 
acting on the muscles controlling the former, and on the little mus- 
cular fibres and tissues composing the latter. By this electric move- 
ment, air of necessity rushes in to fill the vacuum ; when the same 
forces contract them, exhalation necessarily follows. In diseased 
lungs and shortness of breath, there is frequently an interruption of 
the nervo-electric circulation, and hence the necessity of electrical 
remedies of some sort, in addition to internal medical treatment, in 
the cure of many cases of pulmonary disease. 

The same remark holds good in respect to many disorders of all 
the vital organs. In dyspepsia, the interruption of a free passage of 
nervo-electricity through the pneumo-gastric nerve leading to the 
stomach is not unfrequently the principal cause. Cut the pneumo- 
gastric nerve in the neck of any animal, and the process of digestion 
ceases at once — apply the galvanic battery to the end leading to the 
stomach, and it is immediately resumed. The further this subject is 
investigated, the clearer the reader will see the value of electricity in 
the treatment of disease. "Water," it has been beautifully re- 
marked, "is valuable as a medical agent, but its efficiency consists, 
not in the element itself, but in its subservience as a handmaid of 
electricity. Electricity is the queen of medicine : water merely a 
pool in which she bathes her feet." The author of this quotation is, 
however, a little sanguine, and makes electricity the queen instead 
of duchess. 

Golding Bird, who has devoted much time to the investigation and 
application of electricity, says : " Conscientiously convinced that the 



288 



CX)MMON SENSE REMEDIES. 



Fig. 7a 




agent in question is a no less energetic than valuable remedy in the 
treatment of disease, I feel most anxious to press its employment -upon 
the practical physician, and to urge him to have recourse to it as a 
rational but fallible remedy, and not to regard it as one either 
expected or capable of effecting impossibilities. ." The same writer 
adds, that " electricity has been by no means fairly treated as a 
therapeutic agent, for it has either been exclusively referred to 
when all other remedies have failed, — in fact, often exclusively, or 
nearly so, in hopeless cases, — or its administration has been care- 
lessly directed, and the mandate, 'Let the patient be electrified,' 
merely given without reference to the manner, form, or mode of 

the remedy being for 
once taken into consider- 
ation." In this country 
there are hundreds of 
good mechanics who 
make various electro- 
magnetic machines, and 
sell them for family use, 
with a circular or pam- 
phlet professing to give 
unerring directions for their use in different diseases. As a rule, 
having a few honorable exceptions, they are ridiculously incorrect. 
But few of them, that have ever come under my eye, can be safely 
relied upon. They abound in errors which would be laughable were 
it not for the reflection that they mislead the " drowning man catch- 
ing at straws." It is a serious matter to trifle with a man who has 
lost health, and perhaps all hope of recovery. 

Think not from these remarks that it is an easy matter to give cor- 
rect directions for popular use. So much depends upon the constitu- 
tional peculiarities of the patient, the complications which exist, and a 
correct knowledge of the disease or diseases, no such chart can be 
safely put into the hands of those who do not make pathology, anat- 
omy, physiology, and electrical therapeutics a study. Much must ne- 
cessarily depend upon the diagnostic skill of the operator, and his 
judgment in making the application. Each complication which the 
patient has, must be duly considered in its relation to the others. 
Constitutional causes must also be duly considered. The proper course 
for a physician to pursue, who wishes to obtain proficiency as an elec- 



AN ORDINAPwY ELECTROMAGNETIC MACHINE. 



THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICITY. 289 

trical operator, is to place himself under the personal tuition of a 
competent electrician, and during his pupilage witness all important 
operations, just as lie who wishes to become a good surgeon, attends 
the cliniques, and witnesses the dexterity exhibited by his instructor 
in the use of the knife. An invalid who wishes to employ electricity 
without submitting to the experienced operator, should obtain, from 
an intelligent source, special directions for his individual case. 

Guided by the directions which are furnished by mechanical electri- 
cians, isolated cases do occur wherein remarkably successful results 
are realized. " Accidents will happen in the best of families ;" and, 
inasmuch as electricity possesses peculiar curative powers, now and 
then one who knows nothing of the science of electricity ; knows 
nothing of the peculiar structure of the human organism ; a mere 
novice in the art of detecting the nature and extent of a disease, win 
stumble into success. Many more not only fail to derive benefit, but 
injure themselves by random experimenting. Fatal, results may not 
be as likely to follow as if the same persons had plied themselves with 
blue-pills and other allopathic inventions, for the reason that light- 
ning in any form is a safer agent to deal with. It is related of Ben 
Johnson, a revolutionary soldier, of Milford, Mass., that he was 
struck with lightning several years ago, and remained insensible for 
two days, when two doctors were called, who said he would die ; but 
just at that moment his power of speech returned, and he ejaculated : 
" I have stood cannon, musket-balls-,- and bayonets, and I can stand 
thunder and lightning if the doctors will only let me alone." The 
old man recovered. Now no one supposes that such an overwhelm- 
ing dose of mercury would have ever let the veteran soldier speak 
again. It takes a vast amount of electricity, even in the form of a 
bolt of lightning to kill any one. Hence the seeming impunity with 
which electro-magnetic machines are employed by persons who do 
not know the negative pole of the instrument from the positive, and 
who are much less acquainted with the nature of the various currents 
which may be employed. 

The reputation of electricity has suffered by its bungling applica- 
tion in the hands of inexperienced operators. As the effect must 
depend upon the form and mode of application, it is obvious that no 
one should apply it without definite instructions, unless he is ac- 
quainted with the science of therapeutic electricity and has some 
knowledge of anatomy and pathology. 
13 



290 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

I have observed with regret the infatuation some men exhibit after 
witnessing its beneficial effects in one or two cases. Having cured 
themselves or perhaps a neighbor with electricity, the conceit at once 
overcomes them that they are natural physicians, and that that agent 
alone is capable of healing every ill that flesh is heir to, while perhaps 
they are " natural ninnies," tampering with the sublime phenomena 
of an omnipotent and mysterious element. 

Such operators, unschooled in physiology and the science of materia 
medica y have done much mischief with electrical machines, often ap- 
plying them when there was no occasion, and with a power too 
intense for even a person in health to endure. Some parts of the 
human system are more sensitive than others, and while a powerful 
current is necessary to affect some organs, a weak and almost imper- 
ceptible one is required to have a beneficial effect on others. But 
the most contemptible men are those who, taking advantage of the 
reputation electricity enjoys, set up regular "Peter Funk" estab- 
lishments, from which they advertise to cure every disease that flesh 
is heir to by an operation or two. While skillful electricians are, 
by their good works, imparting faith in the therapeutic power of 
electricity, these despicable charlatans are imposing on the confi- 
dence thus created, by humbugging unfortunate invalids who happen 
to fall into their meshes. Among the later developments of electri- 
cal humbuggery are a large variety of appliances in the form of 
belts, pads, corsets, hair-brushes, and garments. All are " loaded" 
with metal parts, but very few will show by a galvanometer test the 
power to develop any electrical current or effect, and those which 
can by such test be shown to be honest are cumbersome and dis- 
agreeable nuisances for daily wear, and invariably cost as much or 
more than a first-class electro-medical battery. Every good thing 
has its counterfeit, but it would seem that electricity has had rather 
more than its share of such debasement. 

Cleveland, in treating on galvanism as a remedial agent, very 
sensibly remarks : — " In making use of galvanism as a therapeutic 
agent, it should not be relied on to the exclusion of every other 
treatment; neither should a cure of the disease for which it is 
applied, be anticipated in a miraculously short space of time. Disease 
in any organ produces a change in the condition of the organ dis- 
eased, and time must be allowed for the process of absorption and 
deposition necessary to bring the organ back to its normal con- 



THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICITY. 291 

ditlon. Galvanism, when properly applied, will be found of great 
advantage in hastening these processes; yet it will not do to 
apply it with si;ch power as to destroy the organ from which 
we wish to remove the abnormal accumulations, or even to 
carry the action of that organ beyond the condition of healthy 

In this connection I would say that- shocks are not only unne- 
cessary but are often injurious in treating diseases. I have never 
found it necessary, with the beautiful machine I have had constructed 
for therapeutic purposes, to administer shocks, except in obstinate 
cases of paralysis of both nerves of motion and sensation, and in 
these cases the nerves of sensation are not sufficiently active to 
allow the patient to suffer any pain or discomfort from them. The 
most delicate and sensitive females who have submitted to my 
electrical manipulations, have, from the first operation, considered 
the influence agreeable rather than otherwise; and many of my 
patients have continued their use longer than was actually necessary, 
because the sensations, during the operation, were not only exceed- 
ingly agreeable, but the after effects inspiring and invigorating. 
As regards making electricity in any form a " one-cure-all," Cleve- 
land is eminently right. I meet with very few diseases that can 
be cured by electricity, galvanism, or electro-magnetism, alone. 
Nervous affections almost in variably inflict an injury upon the vital 
organs and blood, which is not removed by the correction of the 
nervous harmony merely. Here recourse must be had to mild 
medication. In mercurial diseases, it will not answer to merely 
cleanse the system of the offending mineral by the electrical pro- 
cess, particularly if the mercury has been many years in the system. 
It is, of course, of paramount importance to remove this corroding 
cause, but, having done this, effects, which have become diseases in 
themselves, remain, and must be disposed of. Here, too, mild, 
nutritious, and blood-toning medicines, must be given in connection 
with electricity. 

It is idle prattle to talk of making the lame walk by the use of a 
single electro-chemical bath. Instances do occur upon which to base* 
such exaggerations, it is true : I have seen many such surprising 
results attend my own operations. But he who indiscriminately prom- 
ises such success does positive injury in eight cases out of ten. It is 
enough to say that a skillfully administered electro-chemical bath 
will expel mineral poisons. This is a great achievement, and opens 



292 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

the avenues of health to thousands who are suffering from the 
effects of old-school malpractice. After having cleansed the system 
of the vile poison, it only remains for the skillful physician to 
remove the injuries the system has sustained by its former presence. 
Let not the te # mperate tone of the preceding paragraph lead any 
one to suppose that the blusterers, who startle whole communities 
with the announcement that they are curing everybody and every 
thing with electricity, are any better posted regarding its marvellous 
curative powers than the writer of this ; I doubt if any one's 
experience in its employment can more than parallel my own. I say 
this, not in a spirit of boasting, but only in simple justice to myself, 
while cautioning the afflicted against exaggerated statements put 
forth by impostors. For the past forty years I have been a faith- 
ful student in electrical therapeutics, and have employed the agent 
in thousands of cases. A large practice has given me every oppor- 
tunity to test its effects in all sorts of chronic diseases. The results, 
in a majority of them, have been truly wonderful ; and those who 
have witnessed my operations have turned away with the settled 
conviction, that all a physician needs for permanent success, in every 
form of disease, is a well-constructed electro-magnetic machine, 
and a thorough knowledge of its use. One instance made an in- 
delible impression on my mind. A German physician, who had 
been through the best European schools, and had had much experi- 
ence in various hospitals, ridiculed the claim I set up for therapeutic 
electricity, and, under the supposition that he would see something 
to strengthen his prejudices, took pains to witness some of my opera- 
tions. The results of his investigations were to him perfectly over- 
whelming, and after giving some applications himself, under my 
directions, he proposed to procure an electro-magnetic machine, and 
adopt electropathy as a specialty ! I have made both rheumatic 
and paralytic invalids run and rejoice in the restoration of painful, 
contracted, stiff, and withered limbs. I have caused the haggard, 
downcast, cadaverous face of the dyspeptic to light up under the 
exhilarating effects of currents of electricity sent down the pneumo- 
gastric nerves to the stomach. I have imparted an elastic step and 
glow of health to many a woman who had for years before crept 
about her domicile under the debilitating effects of female weak- 
nesses. I have given the neuralgic sufferer occasion to rejoice in my 
discoveries in electrical therapeutics. An interesting young woman, 



THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICITY. 



293 



a teacher in a popular New England institution of learning, once 
called upon me with a neuralgic difficulty. She had suffered a 
thousand deaths in the period of about ten years. From early 
girlhood, a rain-cloud had never darkened the horizon without 
aggravating her tortures to such an extent that she often implored 
her medical attendant to open an artery and let the horrors of such 
a lif e ebb away with the arterial fluid. She had tried everything 
old school and new school had recommended, and her faith in all 




Fig. 79. DR. foote's office battery. 
had vanished. The principal of the institution, however, had called 
on me and investigated the principles of my practice, and under his 
solicitation she determined to make one more attempt. After the 
fifth operation, a long, drizzling spring rain of nearly two weeks' 
duration set in, but her old tortures did not return. She wisely 
adopted a course of vegetable medication to render this good work 
permanent, and a year afterward she wrote that she had been en- 



294 COMMON SENSE EEMEDIES. 

tirely free from neuralgia. I might relate enough wonderful 
instances of my success in the employment of electricity to fill 
this volume ; I have only given the foregoing instance because 
of its peculiarity. In the practice of a life-time, a physician would 
hardly meet with another such sufferer. 

From the foregoing paragraph it will be seen that the position I 
take in only recommending electricity as an auxiliary agent in the 
treatment of disease, is not at all in consequence of questionable suc- 
cess in its employment. I have a room in my offices well equipped 
with therapeutic electricity for the treatment of invalids, and in all 
cases where such treatment is appropriate it is skilfully and care- 
fully applied by means suitable to the special requirements of each 
case. Great progress has been made during the last quarter of a 
century in the invention of new apparatus, and a great variety of 
instruments for successful application of electricity for the relief of 
human ills. Back in the fifties any one resorting to this agency had 
to depend largely on his own ingenuity in making a convenient 
and effective machine, but, happily, all this is changed, and many 
great manufacturers of electrical goods vie with each other in pro- 
viding physicians and electrical specialists with the most complete 
outfits, including meters for accurately gauging the amount and in- 
tensity of the various currents employed. In the middle of the 
nineteenth century only the independent and enterprising physi- 
cians of this country, who were derisively called " irregular," sought 
to cure human ills with the mysterious agent we call electricity. 

The medical profession, as a whole, looked upon such innovations 
with little favor, and some of its professors even went so far as to 
denounce those who made them. A few bold spirits have preferred 
professional martyrdom to old-fogy despotism. To such the public 
is indebted for what advancement has been made in the healing art 
in this country. Here a physician is not considered orthodox who 
does not keep a straight coat-tail behind him. Happily our trans- 
atlantic neighbors have been more tolerant and given to investiga- 
tion, and methods that have been adopted abroad are received 
as proper and regular here. So ifc happened that the electrical dis- 
coveries of Galvani, Faraday, Cross, and others were made useful 
therapeutically in the universities and hospitals of England, France, 
and Germany, long before they were considered regular enough to 
be adopted here. Too much praise cannot be given to Golding Bird, 



THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICITY. 295 

Donovan, Le Roy d'Eliolle, Palaprat, Smee, Matteucci, and others 
of the old world, and to the derided "irregulars" of the new, for 
the new system they originated, which has come to be knowm as 
"Electrical Therapeutics," and to have its classes, clinics and pro- 
fessorships in all the live medical schools of this country. Not only 
are the irregulars who forced this method of treatment into notice, 
and proved its utility, deserving of thanks and due recognition, but 
also the mechanics, electrical machinists, and certain business 
houses which have, as it were, thrust their wares upon the members 
of the medical profession, and made them familiar with the useful 
appliances ready for their use. Now nearly every physician in large 
practice, all hospitals and public institutions for the care of the sick, 
and particularly specialists in the treatment of chronic diseases, 
have the apparatus necessary for electrical "treatments" or opera- 
tions, for in many lines of surgery, too, it has been found very use- 
.ful. It offers the best, handiest, and most speedy means for removal 
of many abnormal growths, and enables the operator to get at many 
that would be out of reach of ordinary surgical operations. It 
enables the examiner to light up interior parts for inspection, where 
no other light could be safely put, and has indeed shed new light 
on many an obscure case of disease. Its employment for the eradi- 
cation of so insignificant a blemish as superfluous hair is a utility 
which renders it of very great interest to some people. In the early 
part of my practice it was one of my most common resources in the 
management of diseases peculiar to men and women, and it is per- 
haps a noteworthy fact that this domain of electrical treatment is 
now one of the favorites of those who make any considerable use of 
electricity at all. Especially in the treatment of diseases and tumors 
of the womb has it become a useful auxiliary. 

Yet, a good, properly constructed electro-magnetic machine, and 
every necessary appliance, will not produce marvellous results, ex- 
cept in the hands of a good operator. Some physicians of high repu- 
tation cannot distinguish between the positive and negative poles of 
a machine, and much less explain the difference in the nature of the 
various currents and the proper one to be applied in a case. They 
apply it hap-hazard, and, as a consequence, will sometimes be thrown 
into ecstacies over its beneficial effects, and at others startled with its 
inefficiency. Such persons regard electricity as an uncertain thera- 
peutic agent, and only employ it after every other expedient has been 



g96 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

resorted to in vain. To be a hard student as well as a practitioner; 
to investigate the causes of various phenomena; to labor to know 
precisely why a certain operation is to be performed in a particular 
way, and why it must be varied to suit the various "ills" and 
idiosyncrasies of different patients, is to be a hard worker, and, un- 
fortunately for a world of invalids, too many who enter the medical 
profession, do so to escape labor and to secure for themselves social 
position and influence. After learning how to use electricity, the 
giving of an application is not as pleasant as sitting down with gold 
pencil over a sheet of gilt-edged paper and writing a prescription. 
In the latter instance, the pharmaceutist has the work to do, and he 
does not have to exercise his perception and muscle like an electro- 
pathic manipulator. The lazy, straight-jacketed, old-fogy disciples 
of iEsculapius received some pretty hard raps recently, in one of our 
largest metropolitan journals. In commenting on a controversy 
which sprang up between old-fogydom and medical progress, the 
editor said : — 

" We do not, however, hear of any one on the side of the public, 
who, it strikes us, are the real sufferers in the matter. The journals 
have aired the theories of the Sangrados in articles of due weight and 
properly mysterious technicality. We speak a few plain words for 
the patients of the contending schools — for it is a war of schools, 
and nothing more. It is the bitter quarrel between the old-school 
fashionable practitioner, who adheres to the traditions of the last cen- 
tury, and the man of science who brings to his aid the newest dis- 
coveries. It is the theory of your fashionable physician to keep his 
delicate patients in such a condition that the yearly bill will be ple- 
thoric. He attempts no new-fangled experiments ; he does not 
rudely tell madame that nothing really ails her, except laziness, but 
gives her a good deal of the latest gossip and a little harmless medi- 
cament. He is a nice doctor — affable to the ladies, and not unpopu- 
lar with the men, and so kind to the children. He lives in a good 
quarter of the city, has a fine equipage, and altogether makes a good 
thing of it. He is an amiable man, takes things as they are, and 
when his patients die he lets them down easily. His funeral manner 
is superb, and nothing can be finer than the way in which he carries 
his work home. But sometimes the even tenor of the good man's 
life is disturbed by a horrid fiend in the shape of a new-light doctor 
— a fellow that has kept his eyes open ; one who walks the hospitals, 



THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICITY. 297 

is constant at cliniques, a hard reader, and thoroughly informed upon 
all the latest experiments, operations, and discoveries of European 
savans. The fashionable doctor is afraid of the new light. He com- 
mences by calling him young — which is a terrible blow, but one 
which is easily got over. Then he is a specialist. The old ladies — 
like the apple-w T oman who was called a parallellogram — don't exactly 
know what a specialist is, but conclude it must be something awful. 

***** ****** 

" Woe to the new light if he loses one of his patients. No lan- 
guage is strong enough to express the rage of the family doctor when 
he loses the chance of finishing up every member of it. * * * The 
scalpel kills more than the sword ; the Latin prescription is often the 
death-warrant without the chance of a reprieve. * * * 

" The medical faculty seem for the most part to be groping and 
guessing in the dark ; a fact which, considering the difficult nature 
of their duties, would not reflect so much discredit upon them but 
for the obstinacy with which they persevere in shutting out such 
lights as are to be gleaned from the scientific labors of those who 
refuse to be guided by the formula of the old -school practition- 
ers." 

It is not often that a secular journal gives so much truth in so few 
words, and it seems specially hazardous for a newspaper to thus 
pitch into the allopathic doctors. Verily new-school must be be- 
coming popular. New-school doctors have generally imagined them- 
selves rowing against the popular tide ; but when an influential 
journal publishes such sentiments as I have quoted, it looks as if we 
had outridden the storm, while allopaths are in danger of being 
" swamped." 

Albeit, physicians should not be censured because they do not all 
become electrical operators. I have shown the necessity for having 
a perfect instrument for generating therapeutic electricity, and the 
great importance of knowing just how, when, and where to employ 
the proper currents ; also the necessity of having ingenious appli- 
ances. But still one more qualification is essential to make a man 
an eminently successful operator. It is not something he can acquire 
by lifelong study ; it is not a secret which a mechanical electrician 
can impart, with all his ingenuity; it is not a "kink" he can " get 
the hang of" by experience in applying the subtle agent. It is a 
God-given gift. It is the possession at all times of a good supply of 
13* 



298 



COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 



animal magnetism. To be a first-rate operator, a physician must be 
a battery in himself. In the treatment of many diseases, the current 
sent out of an instrument must be modified by individual electricity, 
or, as it is more commonly termed, u animal magnetism." There is 
great difference in individuals in the possession of this. While some 
are very positively magnetized, others are, naturally, extremely neg- 
ative, and cannot impart to another the first particle of this invigor- 
ating influence. 

The annexed cut, figure 80, will serve to illustrate this proposition. 
We will suppose the dots to represent the animal magnetic currents. 
The hand held above the head illustrates the magnetic power of a 

person who is highly electrical ; 
the one above the right shoulder, 
that of a person considerably so ; 
while the one over the left shoul- 
der fairly illustrates one nearly 
destitute of animal magnetism, or 
individual electricity. Not that any 
one is entirely destitute, but many 
do not possess a sufficient supply 
to exert any perceptible influence 
over any one. To be a successful 
electropath, one must possess the 
highest amount of positive indi- 
vidual electricity, as represented 
by the hand above the head in the 
picture. 

Now, while I am well aware of 
the fallibility of this mode of 
treating disease, when adopted as 
a specialty by persons possessing 
the greatest amount of magnetism, 
and while I know that cures ap- 
parently effected by this power or 
agency alone, are seldom permanent ones, but reliefs of temporary 
duration, the truth cannot be gainsayed that the possession of this 
magnetic power is of vital importance to one who desires to be a 
successful electrical operator. I have found, in giving instructions in 
therapeutic electricity to physicians, that they differed greatly in the 




MAGNETIC HANDS. 



THERAPEUTIC ELECTRICITY. 299 

power of employing it efficiently, even when they seemed to be 
equally proficient in the theory and practice. In other words, while 
they perfectly understood the modus operandi of making the manip- 
ulations, and the currents to be employed, the results of their 
experiments were widely different. This want of uniformity in their 
success I have attributed to the difference in the magnetic powers of 
different individuals, and how wisely, I leave it for the reader to de- 
cide, after having perused what I have herein written, and what 
will be further found in Part Third of this book. 

In all disorders involving the nervous system, electricity, applied 
properly by a good operator, is an excellent substitute for popular 
anodynes. It has been the general custom of the medical profession 
to resort to stupefying narcotics to allay nervous irritability, which 
unquestionably produce temporary relief, but, as certainly, ultimate 
injury. I may truly say, that I have always found electricity to be 
eminently a nerve medicine, yielding timely relief, and no unwelcome 
reactive results. 

For my patients residing at a distance, and who cannot avail them- 
selves of treatment at my office, I prepare what I term electrical 
medication. I do not mean to shock the good sense of my readers 
by saying that an electrical property can be imparted to medicines, 
of such a nature that a metallic wire can conduct it off as from a 
galvanic battery or a Leyden-jar; but I do affirm, that I can prepare 
medicines in such a way that they will possess latent electrical prop- 
erties which are at once rendered active by coming in contact with 
the gastric fluids of the stomach. I can, by my process, make medi- 
cines which will produce nervous force, and regulate its action. Such 
medicines are eminently recuperative, when prepared with reference 
lo the requirements of each case, and while they are active enough 
/or the successful treatment of all curable chronic diseases, and of 
Hundreds supposed to be incurable, they possess no property which 
tmduly excites or debilitates the patient. Electrical medication as- 
similates most charmingly with the nervous fluids; regulates their 
circulation ; assuages pain ; and invigorates the whole nervous sys- 
tem from the brain and spine, through all the nervous ramifications ; 
while at the same time the individual properties of the ingredients 
are retained, and work thoroughly but mildly in the blood, casting 
out all impurities, and regulating the action of the various vital or- 
gans. In many cases, electrical medication is far more beneficial 



300 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

than applications of electricity, and in all cases it is more efficacious 
than the manipulations of ordinary operators. With this nutritious, 
?olood-toning, nerve-regulating, and vitalizing system of medication, 
I have annually treated, successfully, hundreds of patients laboring 
under difficult chronic diseases, whose faces I have never seen. My 
files contain letters from every State and Territory in the United States, 
and also from nearly every province of British and Spanish Amer- 
ica; and I will further say that if I could, without violating confi- 
dence, publish their contents, my readers would almost conclude that 
the days of miracles are not past. Occasionally, a case presents it- 
self, which absolutely requires the application of the element gener- 
ated by mechanical and chemical apparatus. Such invalids, to obtain 
the required benefit, must present themselves in person, for the ne- 
cessary electrical manipulations. After what I have said, it is hardly 
necessary to warn the reader against the impositions of inexperi- 
enced and unskillful electricians. 

Animal Magnetism. 

' 'Animal magnetism is a humbug !" No, reader, you believe in 
it. Your reason, perhaps, is not convinced, and you may think you 
do not. Then, why should I know better than you do what you 
have faith in ? Let me tell you. The other day you came in col- 
lision with a chair and bruised your shin. Instinctively you bent 
over and rubbed the contused limb with your hand. The baby fell 
from your lap upon the floor ; you picked it up hastily and rubbed 
its little head till it stopped crying. One night you were attacked 
w r ith cramps in the stomach, and the hand flew there immediately ; 
you pressed and manipulated the region where the suffering was 
felt until you were relieved. But a few days ago your wife had the 
headache, and as she reclined on the sofa, you sat beside her and 
passed your hand gently over her feverish temples. Now, all these 
instinctive, and I may almost say involuntary applications of the 
hand, in cases of physical distress, show that wdth all your professed 
scepticism, you, practically, believe in the efficacy of animal mag- 
netism, and it is your experience and mine, and my observation as 
a medical man, that leads me to place animal magnetism promi- 
nently among what are denominated in this chapter Common Sense 
Remedies, 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 301 

Thus I introduced this curative and mysterious agent in this work 
in 1869. Few in this country had any knowledge of, or faith in, 
Animal Magnetism at that time. Drs. Dodd, Sutherland, Benton 
and others had lectured upon the subject and, by experiments, 
exhibited some of the wonderful effects of this peculiar force. The 
gentleman last named was especially successful in showing what 
could be done by the power now called " hypnotism. " Most of my 
readers are doubtless somewhat familiar with the strange perform- 
ances of susceptible subjects while under the influence and control 
of a good mesmerizer. Well, all these things were done repeatedly 
by Benton in various parts of this country between the years 1840 
and 1860. The medical profession, however, were sceptical, and lay- 
men shook their heads with incredulity. They were sure there was 
some deception practised, notwithstanding the fact that those who 
were put in the mesmeric sleep allowed pins to penetrate their flesh, 
burning hot irons to be applied to their arms, and teeth to be drawn, 
without flinching. Under the will of the operator timid young men 
could be made to personate orators and deliver long speeches before 
large audiences. Invalids were relieved of various ills by the laying 
on of hands, etc. Knowing ones exclaimed "Humbug ! " — and those 
who took all ideas second-hand echoed the verdict of their superiors. 
Now all is changed. Learned professors come before the public 
with lectures and experiments. "Hypnotism" is popular! They 
are not disposed to award due honor to Mesmer by calling it Mes- 
merism. Everything is "Hypnotism." Let us briefly review its 
history. 

Dr. Frederick Anthony Mesmer was the first in what is called the 
Christian world to recognize the wonderful powers of animal mag- 
netism, and employ this agent in the cure of disease. He promul- 
gated his theory in 1778, and was denounced by the medical faculty, 
as a matter of course. Two commissions were appointed to investi- 
gate what was called mesmerism. In one of these commissions our 
own honored Dr. Benjamin Franklin took part ; he who, with the 
kite and key, coaxed lightning to come out of the clouds and prove 
to us that it was not a stranger, but the same kind of wonder elec- 
tricity is. And these two commissions, one having the wisdom of 
Franklin to guide it, dismissed the doctrine of Mesmer as a delusion ! 
Still the people flocked to Mesmer, and, although he was derided by 
the medical profession, condemned by scientists, and watched with 



302 COMMON SENSE EEMEDIES. 

suspicion by all intelligent communities, his success in healing the 
sick brought him support, so that poverty was not added to perse- 
cution to embitter his useful life. The great naturalist, Joseph 
Francis Deleuze, the friend of Cuvier and Von Humboldt, visited 
Paris to gather material to expose the humbug ! He returned to 
proclaim the wonders of mesmerism and to practise it himself. He 
wrote and published a volume giving accounts of cures as remark- 
able as those to-day ascribed to Mental Scientists, Christian Scien- 
tists, Faith Healers, and others of the occult school. The Marquis 
de Puysegur became a pupil of Mesmer, and discovered in his ex- 
periments that some people could be put in an unconscious sleep by 
the power of animal magnetism, and this condition was called mes- 
meric sleep. Dr. Braid, of Manchester, following in the wake of 
the originals, found he could produce the same phenomena, and he 
was first to call the mesmeric sleep "hypnotism." Had not ethereal 
anaesthesia been discovered by Morton and others it is probable that 
mesmerism or hypnotism would have been more speedily brought 
to the attention of the public as an anaesthetic in dentistry and sur- 
gery. It had been tried with more or less success when Dr. Morton 
introduced his important discovery. For many years mesmerism 
was in a profound mesmeric sleep, when it suddenly awoke between 
1870 and 1880 with such men as Charcot, Hansen, "Weinhold, and 
others in the Old World, and Drs. R. A. Gunn, Win. A. Hammond, 
and others in the New World, surprising large audiences with ex- 
amples in mesmerism such as Dr. Benton and other pioneers in this 
field had exhibited long years before, when the ' ' regular " profes- 
sion would have nothing to do with them. The doctors disagree as 
to the nature of the phenomena. Dr. Braid did not believe that any 
magnetic fluid emanated from the operator. The hypnotic state, as 
he called it, was induced by certain physiological modifications in 
the nervous system induced by "suggestion." He has his disciples, 
but the intelligent masses are quite ready to believe that everybody 
has a magnetic atmosphere of his own, and that everyone possesses 
magnetic forces which can be made to influence, and in some cases 
control susceptible persons. I have met with no more rational 
theory to account for mesmeric phenomena than the one given on 
page 189 of my work entitled "Medical Common Sense," published 
in 1858, and reproduced on page 624 of this volume. Indeed, this 
theory has been adopted by many writers upon the subject. What- 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 



303 



ever differences exist in the minds of medical men as to just what 
causes mesmeric phenomena, all now recognize and believe in them, 
and the employment of mesmerism or hypnotism is recommended 
in many cases of nervous diseases. In the summer of 1889 a con- 
vention of scientists in Paris had hypnotism under consideration, 
and it was resolved that the study and application of this agent 
should be introduced into the teachings of Medical Science. And 
thus have the claims of Mesnier and his followers been vindicated. 

My theory of mesmeric power is quite essential to support many 
of my views as given in this work, and hence I was pleased to find, 
many years ago, Fig. 81. 

that the experi- 
ments of Mr. Wil- 
liam Crooks as re- 
ported in a work 
entitled * ; Spirit - 
uahsm Answered 
by Science, ' ' by Ed- 
ward W. Cox, 
served to confirm 
it. Mr. Cox was a 
member of the 
London Dialectic- 
al Society's In- 
vestigating Com- 
mittee, and was 
present at the ex- 
periments of Mr. 
Crooks. The object 
of his pamphlet 
was to show that 
the so-called spirit- 
ual manifestations 
were produced by something he called psychic force. He says, 
"this force is generated in certain persons of peculiar nervous 
organization in sufficient power to operate beyond bodily contact," 
and, he continues, "there can be little doubt that the force is pos- 
sessed by every human being — that it is a necessary condition of the 
living nerve, if, indeed, it be not the vital force itself," and that it 




JAPANESE MANIPULATORS. 



304 



COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 



is possessed by psychics in extraordinary degree. Mr. Crooks, he 
adds, " has recently constructed an instrument of extreme delicacy, 
which seems to indicate the existence of the psychic force more or 
less in every person with whom he has made trial of it. The exist- 
ence of such a force is asserted by Dr. Richardson, in a recent 
article in the Popular Science Review, in which he contends that 
there is a nerve-fluid (or ether), with which the nerves are enveloped, 
and by whose help it is that the motion of their molecules communi- 
cates sensations and transmits the commands of the will. This 
nerve-ether is, he thinks, no other than the vital force. It extends 

with all of us some- 
^• 82 - what beyond the 

extremities of the 
nerve-structure, and 
even beyond the 
surface of the body, 
encompassing u s 
wholly with an en- 
velope of nerve-at- 
mosphere, which 
varies in its depth 
and intensity in 
various p e r s o n s . 
This, he contends, 
will solve many 
difficult problems in 
psychology, and 
throw a new light 
on many obscurities 
in psychology and 
mental philosophy. " 
Now the psychic force referred to by Mr. Cox, and the nerve-ether 
so-called by Dr. Richardson, are manifestly only other names for 
what Mesmer and his followers called mesmeric force, all of which 
so-called forces are one and the same as animal magnetism. The 
same writer speaks of "nerve-ether or nerYe-atmo sphere" which 
emanates from every animal body. It may as well be called mag- 
netic atmosphere. So long as we recognize its existence it matters 
little what name we give to it. When we acknowledge its presence 




JAPANESE MANIPULATION. 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 305 

and its power it is not difficult to account for all the seeming mira- 
cles performed in the name of Christian Science, Mental Science, 
Faith Cure, Prayer Cure, and the Bones of St. Anne ! How are 
these alleged cures effected ? First stop and think how vitiated and 
noisome the air becomes by confinement ; how impure and full of 
miasma water is found to be when stagnant. Then think for a 
moment what may be the pathological condition when nervous 
force is moving sluggishly and languidly through the human organ- 
ism. What but disease can result when the nervous forces become 
thus inactive, and in some cases insufficient in intensity to perform 
their functions in the system ? In this condition whatever can impart 
more force and set in action the sluggish nervous circulation; what- 
ever may be brought to bear in the way of superstitious faith or 
great expectation to produce profound emotion in the sufferer, may 
quicken nervous circulation, and thus, for the time being at least, 
change conditions which predispose to disease. In nearly all these 
cases, however, animal magnetism plays an important part. Those 
who resort to Christian Science methods are what Cox would call 
Psychics, or what I would call good rnagnetists. The same may be 
said of those who practise the Mind Cure, Faith Cure, etc. It is 
even reported that on days when the devout Catholics visit the bone 
of St. Anne, priests are in charge of the sacred relic, and there is a 
relay of priests, so to speak, some retiring when fatigued, and 
others, fresh and full of animal spirits, coming in to conduct the 
services while the faithful sufferers are crowding to the front. The 
book already referred to, written by Deleuze, tells us that "the 
magnetizer causes a headache or side-ache to cease simply because 
he willsit'" then he says, "There are men endowed with such mag- 
netic power they can act upon patients who are very suscexDtible, 
and in perf ect communication with them, while directing the action 
upon this or that part by the thought and by the look." Many 
stories are told of Colonel Ingersol which are not true. I will relate 
one for which I am unwilling to vouch, but which will illustrate a 
point I desire to make : — A minister asked the Colonel what he 
would have different from what the Almighty had instituted. "I 
would. '' replied the Colonel, "have had health catching instead of 
disease." Well, the real fact is, health is catching, and an invalid 
cannot associate with persons full of health and vitality without 
receiving benefit. If persons with whom they come in contact are 



306 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

very magnetic, the benefit is well marked. Let me here relate a 
little incident in my own experience confirmatory of this statement : 

While in Troy, N. Y., on a professional visit many years ago, a 
gentleman hobbled up-stairs to my rooms to consult me regarding 
rheumatism in one of his knee-joints, which had been very painful, 
and which had made his limb stiff for over a year. It appeared very 
difficult for him to walk, and the invalid exhibited in his counte- 
nance that contortion of features so peculiar to one suffering pain, 
that no one in health could possibly imitate. Then, too, the knee 
was red and swollen. I gave it a very careful examination, follow- 
ing up each muscle that could be reached, with my fingers, for 
several inches, to see if I could discover any adhesion or rigidity. 
I then examined his blood, stated my opinion, and my terms for 
treatment. He expressed himself favorably impressed with the 
interview, and promised to call in the afternoon and decide whether 
or not he would place himself under my care. He had hardly been 
out of my rooms ten minutes, when he returned with a look of inde- 
scribable surprise, and exclaimed — "What have you done to my 
knee, Doctor?" "Why do you ask?" I interrogated. His reply 
considerably astonished me, for he said he had both descended and 
ascended the stairs without pain, and at the same time gesticulated 
with the limb, moving it backward and forward to show its mobility. 
I of course saw at once what my magnetism had done for it while 
manipulating his muscles, and explained the philosophy of the 
phenomenon. I say I was astonished because I did not exercise 
my will-power, as I am in the habit of doing in imparting animal 
magnetism. It was an act of unintentional magnetic piracy on his 
part, and he bore off his booty in triumph. I could not have been 
more successful if I had seated myself deliberately and magnetized 
his painful joint. 

I could fill several pages with similar incidents — I will, however, 
occupy space with but one other. A young woman called upon me 
in consultation, and I made a note of her most prominent symptoms, 
but gave no treatment. One of these symptoms was a life-long 
headache. Six weeks after this call she visited my office again for 
treatment, and as she said nothing of headache I expressed my sur- 
prise, when she replied, "Why, Doctor, I have not had a particle of 
headache since I called on you before." Having been a reader of 
mv publications she seemed to understand how it had been relieved. 



ANIMAL MAGNETISM. 307 

In all such cures, if cures indeed they can be called, I am inclined 
to question their permanency unless the magnetic treatment is sup- 
plemented with good vegetable alteratives to remove the deep-seated 
predisposing cause or causes. Magnetism should not be relied upon 
to the exclusion of other remedies. Those who do ride the "one 
hobby" have a great many hard things said of them, which they 
partly deserve. They also bring to contempt an agency for the 
amelioration of human suffering which is worthy the attention of 
all intelligent physicians, and of their patients whose maladies might 
be benefited by its employment. While there are some invalids so 
peculiarly affected that they cannot be restored without magnetic 
treatment, the majority of these very cases cannot be radically cured 
by this agency, unaided by suitable medicine. 

The benefits derived from Massage are largely due to the magnet- 
ism of the operator, and the more magnetic the operator, if his 
magnetism is agreeable to the patient, the greater will be the relief 
obtained. The massage, as defined in the dictionary, is "a system 
of remedial treatment consisting of manipulating a part or the 
whole of the body by percussion." A " Masseur * is a male massag- 
ist. A "Masseuse" is a female massagist. As most of my readers 
are aware, massage is widely practised, especially in large cities, 
where specialists are well supported. The kneading, the slapping, 
and the rubbing, as performed by the experienced operator, greatly 
benefits enfeebled muscles, vitalizes weak nerves, and promotes cir- 
culation. Such manipulations would doubtless impart some benefit 
without the magnetism of the operator, but with it they are far 
more efficacious if the magnetic quality of the operator is suited to 
the patient. It is doubtful if one could derive any help from a 
masseur or masseuse who is distasteful, or whose touch is not agree- 
able. Nor is a masseur as efficacious with one of his own sex as 
with a person of the opposite sex, or vice versa, for reasons that will 
appear obvious to one who reads what I have said under the head 
of Sexual Starvation. " In civilized communities," according to Dr. 
Balls-Headley, in so conservative a medical paper as the Medical 
Record, "more than half the women under thirty years of age are 
unmarried; in other words, the sexual instinct, during the first half 
of its existence, is in most women ungratified. Hence spring," in 
Dr. Balls-Headley 's opinion, "many sexual disorders." Now it is 
not indispensable that sexual intercourse should take place to supply 



308 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

a much-needed want to women thus affected. They need not only 
animal magnetism, but masculine magnetism, and this they could 
obtain under the professional and entirely proper treatment of a 
masseur. With the greater freedom enjoyed by men there are com- 
paratively few young men who greatly suffer from a want of female 
magnetism, and yet there are cases to be found among men that 
might be materially benefited by the manipulations of a masseuse 
of the right adaptability. 

In Japan the natives have successfully practised the massage from 
away back, and their manipulators are usually blind men who go 
about with a long wand in their hand and a reed whistle in their 
mouth, as represented in Fig. 81. The whistles are used to acquaint 
the residents along the thoroughfares through which they are pass- 
ing of their presence, as the horn or the bell of the huckster is em- 
ployed in our streets to attract customers. In Fig. 82 is a picture of 
a Japanese masseur applying his cure to a female patient. In the 
picture the latter is represented with drapery, but I am assured by 
E. A. Wilson, for a long time attached to the Naval Service off the 
coast of Japan, that in the actual operation female patients as well 
as male are entirely nude, for in that part of the world neither men 
nor women make any effort at concealment when taking their daily 
baths. It is therefore manifest that blind operators are not chosen 
for the purpose of avoiding the exposure of the person of the 
patient; just why, Mr. Wilson could not inform me. In this coun- 
try, where even the nude in art is considered objectionable by our 
most conventional people, blind masseurs and masseuses would be 
considered especially qualified for the practice of this art. But even 
with two good eyes in the head of the operator the practice of the 
massage is steadily growing. 

People are often relieved of pain by animal magnetism without 
knowing the active agent employed. There are many embrocations 
extensively advertised, and sold, which possess absolutely no merit 
in themselves, while the real benefit attending their use arises from 
the direction — " Rub in briskly with a warm hand for several min- 
utes ! " External remedies possessing valuable properties are always 
rendered more efficacious by the observance of such directions. In 
the religious world we find people employing animal magnetism 
combined with religious faith in the curing of disease, notwith- 
standing the fact that Mesmer was denounced by the clergy, and 



WATER. 309 

his discovery pronounced an attempt to use demoniac influence in 
relief of the sick. Not only does the devout Catholic resort to the 
influence of magnetism in an indirect way, but the church of the 
Latter Day Saints depends almost wholly upon it when overtaken 
by disease. While anointing the sufferer with oil (sweet oil) they 
practise the laying on of hands, first rendering the patient passive 
and receptive by prayer. A correspondent in Utah, a reader of the 
earlier editions of this work, wrote the author that he had been 
exceedingly interested in my views on electricity and animal mag- 
netism after observing what the elders of the church could do with 
their sick disciples by the laying on of hands and the use of ' ' sanc- 
tified oil." He said the results looked like miraculous phenomena, 
but after what he had read in this work he was satisfied they were 
due simply to animal magnetism. While spending a little time in 
Salt Lake City, I found that the Mormons had quite an aversion to 
medicine, but they seemed willing to take mine, for when their own 
resources failed they had more confidence in botanical remedies 
than in any other. 

Dr. Cox's work attributes the success of ''spiritual mediums" 
to what he calls psychic force, which, as I have already claimed, is 
only another name for animal magnetism. But even if the medium 
is made the instrument of some unseen power, as claimed by the 
faithful believer, in the light of what has already been presented, 
it is fair to suppose it is the magnetism of the disembodied spirit, if 
not of the medium, that gives relief to the patient. Dr. Jas. R. 
Cocke, in his work on Hypnotism, says he believes it " has played a 
great part in the political and religious histories of the world, and 
is as important as a sociological factor as a healing agent." 

Water. 

In all ages of the world, and in all nations, civilized and barbarous. 
water has ever been held in high estimation as a remedial agent. 
Hippocrates, Pindar, Thales, Virgil, Pliny, Galen, Charlemagne, 
Hahnemann, Priessnitz, Wesley, and all distinguished philosophers, 
physicians, and theologians, ancient and modern, have extolled its 
virtues. It was Priessnitz who made it a a one-cure-all." He was the 
first to open a " Water-Cure." Priessnitz was great, but Priessnitz 
was an enthusiast. Still his enthusiasm was the result of extraordi- 
nary success, compared with the medical exploits of the allopathic 



310 



COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 



profession with which his rural abode was surrounded. His hydrop- 
athy cured thousands — hundreds managed to survive the barbarities 
of allopathy. He killed a few — allopathy slaughtered daily more 
than Priessnitz healed. The zeal of a military chieftain heightens 
with the number he slays; that of a medical practitioner with the 
number he keeps alive. Is it strange that Priessnitz was an enthu- 
siast ? 

Yet the establishment of the school called hydropathy was an 
error. Water is not an infallible remedy, and less so in the hands 



Fig. 83. 



of the disciples of Priessnitz than in 
those of the great founder himself. 
The latter was naturally gifted with 
peculiar skill in the application of 
water, which characteristic exhibit- 
ed itself in the juvenility of the son 
of the Graefenberg farmer. But a 
medical education would have ma- 
terially modified his "one-ideaism." 
Priessnitz did not possess that. Had 
he explored the green fields and 
forests of nature, as well as laved in 
her limpid waters, he would have 
been less exclusive in his choice of 
remedies, and his practice, and that 
of his imitators, would have been 
more uniformly successful. Many 
hydropathic physicians are begin- 
ning to see what their prototype, 
in his blind enthusiasm, failed to 
perceive, and already mild medication and therapeutic electricity 
are being introduced in water-cure establishments to some ex- 
tent. 

"While I do not deny the contracting and relaxing influences of 
water, according to its temperature, and the beneficial effects of each 
of these in appropriate cases, I maintain that the real philosophy of 
u water-cure " is based on electrical principles. Water possesses a 
great amount of electricity. If the Hood of an individual contains 
its natural supply of iron, it attracts the electricity from the water, 
thereby rendering the body of the invalid in an electrically positive con- 




PKIESSNITZ''S MEDICINE. 



WATER. 3U 

dition compared with the atmosphere. As soon, then, as the application 
has been made, an active radiation of electricity from the system takes 
place, which accelerates the escape of effete matter, and renders the 

•>. skin, and other organs more active. It is therefore diametri- 
cally wrong to resort to water in the treatment of invalids with thin 
blood. Did hydropathists, generally, understand this philosophy, 
" water-cure " would not prove so often uater-lcill. My theory is 
indirectly supported by that of Priessnitz. According to Claridge, 
beheld: — 

1st. "That by the hydropathic treatment, the bad juices are 
brought to, and discharged by. the skin."' 

Hd. --That a new circulation is given to the diseased or inactive 
organs, and better juices infused into them." 

3d. " That all the functions of the body are brought into a nor- 
mal state, not by operating upon any particular function, but upon the 
whole." 

Xow when we consider that whatever moves has a motive power, 
and that "better juices " cannot enter, or "bad juices" depart from 
the system, without some active agent to move them, my theory is 
not only rendered plausible, but probable. Thus, when the electri- 
city of the water enters the body, water must necessarily go with it, 
because its relations are such with that element that it forms a part 
: and in this way better juices are infused. When the applica- 
tion of water ceases, the body being electrified by that fluid and 
rendered strongly positive, compared with the surrounding atmos- 
phere, active electrical radiation ensues, carrying with it the "bad 
juices " which nature, in its instinctive wisdom, is ever ready to dis- 
of when opportunity is presented. 

The great amount of electricity possessed by water has been 
demonstrated by Prof. Faraday, and is now generally admitted by 
chemists. His experiments show that the quantity of electricity set 
free by the decomposition of ten drops of water is actually greater 
than exists in the most vivid Hash of lightning. 

In bloodless patients, tepid and hot baths are injurious, because 
the blood does not possess the attractive property or iron to draw in 
iectricity of the water, while its temperature relaxes the tissues 
and leaves the system open to the ingress and progress of disease. 
It is safe to say that a majority of invalids suffering with debility, 
nervousness, consumption, and predisposition to apoplexy, should 



312 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

not receive full hydropathic treatment. In many cases of these 
descriptions it should not be administered at all, and in most only 
sparingly and with great discrimination. 

Satisfied of the virtues of water as an auxiliary agent, I have 
resorted to it extensively in my practice, and by exercising the most 
careful discrimination, with uniform success. Simple and abundant 
as this remedy is, it is something which cannot be trifled with. 
Many a good man and woman has unwittingly committed suicide 
with water. Hydropathy is not as popular to-day as it was forty 
years ago, on this account. It is a great pity that mankind is dis- 
posed to abuse and misuse almost every good thing. 

u The universal application of water," says Prof. Cook, ci may be 
safely called in question. The assertion that it is equally efficacious 
in any and every form of disease is so at variance with past experi- 
ence in single remedies, that it has induced the greater portion of 
practitioners to discard it at once. The success of hydropaths is 
undoubtedly great ; but it is well known that a prominent feature in 
their institutions is a rigid adherence to hygiene. Wholesome diet, 
fresh air, exercise, mental relaxation, etc., which, of themselves, 
have a very great effect in restoring the patient, are more strictly 
enjoined by them than by any other school; and as most practition- 
ers are too inattentive to these matters, the hydropaths have the 
advantage on this point. Besides, without any disparagement to 
water-cures, it must be remembered that those cases in which water 
fails are not reported, any more than the failures of other schools. 
Many cases have occurred under my own observation, in which 
hydropathy, as applied in one of the best establishments in this 
State, had failed, but which subsequently yielded, and were cured by 
botanical remedies. This goes strongly to convince me that it is not 
universally applicable. " 

u In union there is strength," is a political proverb of universal 
application. The Botanies, Hydropaths, Electropaths, and Magno- 
paths should coalesce, under the name of the Utilitarian practice. 
Such a coalition could not fail to defeat disease in every aspect 
which it presents itself. By a discriminate application of one or all, 
according to the indications of a case, many valuable lives might be 
daily saved which are now lost in consequence of bigoted medical 
u one-ideaism." I have assiduously pursued all these systems in my 
practice, and would rather abandon my profession than to discon- 



MEDICATED INHALATION. 3l3 

tinue any one of them, although I must candidly confess that 1 
would rather give up hydropathy than vegetable medication and 
therapeutic electricity, were I obliged to remove one plank from my 
medical platform. If forced to drop one, the choice would rest 
between water and electricity, and I am thoroughly convinced that 
the latter can be made far more conducive to the requirements of 
the invalid than the former. My attention is wholly devoted to the 
treatment of chronic diseases, and in such my experience demon- 
strates that electricity can be made more available. In the treat- 
ment of acute disease, particularly fevers, water may be, and, 
without doubt is, preferable. 

Medicated Inhalation. 

Having found this system of treating pulmonary diseases a valua- 
ble assistant in my practice, I should not close this chapter on reme- 
dies without, at least, an allusion to it. I have heard much said of 
curing lung and bronchial diseases by medicated inhalation. Allow 
me to make the bold assertion that a disease of the pulmonary organs 
was never radically cured by medicated inhalation alone. 

In support of this view, I have only to invite the attention of the 
reader to a consideration of the causes which lead to pulmonary and 
bronchial complaints. It is well known that an abscess under the 
arm, tubercles on the skin, and ulcers on the limbs, denote an im- 
pure condition of the blood, from which they all arise. Is it not 
then, self-evident that any of these difficulties located in the delicate 
membranes of the respiratory organs give evidence of and spring 
from the same cause ? Is there an iEsosilapian wiseacre who can 
command enough sophism to seemingly disprove this? 

The blood is not impartial in the distribution of its impurities, but 
invariably sends them to that part of the system which has the least 
power to resist them. Hence, persons having a scrofulous or canker 
humor in the blood, and at the same time a predisposition to weak 
lungs, the worst form of ulcerous or tuberculous consumption is in 
time developed. The question then arises, will medicated inhalation 
cleanse the blood of its impurities ? If not, how can a radical cure 
be effected ? 

There are other forms of consumption, such as those induced by 
♦.menorrhcea, thin blood, solidification of the lungs, etc. The first, 
U 



§14 COMMON SENSE REMEDIES. 

of course, is peculiar only to females. Will inhalation remove the 
cause from which springs the effect? The second arises from general 
debility, and a diseased action of the liver and kidneys. Will inha- 
lation arouse the lethargic functions of the system, and restore to the 
blood its strength and nutrition ? The third either grows out of one 
of the different forms of consumption first considered, or else from a 
weakness of the nerve or electric force, which expands and contracts 
the air vesicles and moves the diaphragm. The medicated vapors 
inhaled must therefore possess miraculous powers in the restoration 
of the tone of the vascular and nervous system, or a cure cannot be 
effected. 

Consumptive invalids, who resort to inhalation alone for relief, as 
well as physicians who practice on that system, lose sight of one 
important fact — i. e., consumption of the lungs and bronchitis are 
only the effects of other derangements of the system. 

It is unnecessary to occupy space with an argument to show how 
certainly a convalescent consumptive'must relapse when effects are 
treated and causes left undisturbed. If this essay should happen to 
meet the eye of any one who thinks he has been cured of consump- 
tion or bronchitis by inhalation, let me assure him that either his 
physician was mistaken in the diagnosis of his disease, or his old 
complaint still lurks in his system, ready at any favorable time, 
when exposure occurs, to return with redoubled virulence. 

I prescribe inhaling remedies in pulmonary and bronchial difficul- 
ties, for the same reason I do washes and ointments in the manage- 
ment of cutaneous diseases. Local applications are often necessary, 
while the slow but sure work of purification is going on internally ; 
but to rely on them exclusively, is presumptuous, to say the least. 
I often find it necessary to summon electropathy or magnopathy to 
my aid in battling the hydra-headed disease — consumption. I 
always prescribe invigorating and purifying blood medicines in addi- 
tion to medicated inhalation, and should as soon think of dipping out 
the Oroton river without cutting off its tributaries, as to attempt to 
cure consumption without them. 

Conclusion. 

The successful physician does not ride " one hobby." One-ideaism 
in medical practice is perfectly incompatible with uniform success. 



CONCLUSION. 



315 



Then, too, different constitutions require different remedies. A 
"one-cure-all " is an impossibility. One hat will not fit everybody's 
head — one coat everybody's back, nor one circumscribed medical 
system everybody's disease. The medical profession generally must 
mount a more comprehensive platform. 




Outward appearance and internal struc- 
r ture of the lung. 2, 3, outer surface; 4, 
great bronchial tube; 5, artery; 6, vein, 
7, nerve; 8, lobules; 9, magnified lobules; 
10 air sacs in a lobule. A diagramatic 
picture, of course, 




CHAPTER Y, 

DOCTORS- 

^EFORE passing a criticism upon the profession 
myself, allow me to give a few specimens of the 
hard raps they receive from various sources. Some 
graceless wag has said that "Physicians are the 
nut-crackers used by angels to get our souls out 
of the shells that surround them! 1 ' "When Voltaire was 
informed that a friend was preparing for the practice of 
medicine, he exclaimed: "Why will he he so mean? He 
will have to thrust drugs of which he knows little, into a 
body of which he knows less!" A story is told of a doctor 
and a military officer who became enamored of the same lady. Some- 
body inquired of her which of the two suitors she intended to favor. 
Her reply was, that "It was difficult for her to determine, as they 
were both such hilling creatures." The Portland Transcript relates 
that at a "Medical Convention holden at Lewiston, the clergy and 
members of the bar were invited to a repast given at a hotel by the 
followers of Galen; and after the cloth was removed, during the 
interchange of sentiments, the Eev. Mr. B., while alluding to the 
intimate relations between the clergy and the physician, in all seri- 
ousness remarked, that it was a somewhat singular fact that 4 When 
the doctor was called, the minister was sure to follow? The doctors 
gave him three cheers." A newspaper at Lynn, noticing this scrap, 
remarked that it was reminded of a hard hit at the doctors, which 
may be found in the Bible, in the 16th chapter of the second book 
of Chronicles: "And Asa in the thirty-ninth year of his reign was 
diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceedingly great ; yet in his 
disease he sought not to the Lord, out to the physicians. And Asa 
slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his 
reign." Still another editor thought he discovered a harder rap on 
the medical fraternity, in Mark's Gospel, 5th chapter and 26th verse, 



DOCTORS. 317 

relating to a "certain woman who had suffered many tilings of many 
physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered. 
tut rather greic worse." 

Where the editors stopped in this tirade it is difficult to say ; but 
one of our city physicians received a " stunning " surprise from a red- 
man, when on a summer vacation in Michigan, a few years ago. 
Dr. G. was being rowed across the St. Clair River by two Indians, 
who had a stupid half-drunken companion stowed away in the bow, 
whom they familiarly called " Doctor." Dr. G.'s curiosity was 
aroused, and he inquired why they called that man Doctor. The 
red-men rowed away lustily without replying, knowing that their 
guest and patron was a physician. Again he asked, and received no 
response. The Indians evidently did not like to tell. As they 
neared the shore, Dr. G. could endure the suspense no longer, and 
approaching within whispering distance, again repeated the ques- 
tion — " "Why do you call that fellow Doctor ?" u Cause, " said the red- 
face, very vehemently, "he d — n fool!" Dr. G. gracefully subsided! 

While all the foregoing are jokes, the perpetration of them indi- 
cates an undercurrent of prejudice against the profession, which 
quite universally exists. Few entertain it toward any honorable 
member of the profession individually ; but they regard doctors as a 
class, as necessary evils, and by no means equal to what is required 
of them by suffering humanity. One reason for this is that so many 
men of mediocre ability enter the profession. The rich man who has 
a son mentally unqualified to be a lawyer, morally unfitted to be made 
a minister, and who has not the capacity to make a successful busi- 
ness man, is very likely to be sent to a medical school. He may 
there acquire, parrot-like, the names of the various organs of the 
body, and by tolerably hard study, a passable knowledge of the dis- 
pensatory ; and, concealing his natural incapacity in a dust of tech- 
nicalities which he ostentatiously kicks up when he emerges from the 
college, diploma in hand, he passes among quite intelligent people 
for an accomplished physician. Then there are many young men who 
work their way up through poverty, and desiring to enter some one 
of the professions, are quite apt to select that of medicine, without 
once asking themselves if they have any natural aptitude for the 
discharge of its duties. Thus the medical schools are annually grad- 
uating young doctors as numerously as the Yankee factories are turn- 
ing out all sorts of "notions." 



318 DOCTORS. 

Another reason for want of confidence in the profession at large is 
its want of originality in devising means to relieve suffering human- 
ity. There are not enough inventive and independent men among 
the doctors. Surgery makes some progress, but medicine very little, 
excepting among men who are willing to be reviled as "quacks," 
rather than follow the beaten paths of the " regulars." Young phy- 
sicians enter upon the practice of medicine with the idea that they 
Lave only to follow the rules given in their books, and the precepts 
of their alma mater, to raise the sick from beds of suffering, and 
make themselves famous for skill. The thinking ones discover their 
mistake in a few months or years, and make amends by embracing 
the remedies and systems of other schools. Some do this without 
attempt at concealment, and others vary the practice of their particu- 
lar school while claiming to remain true to its teaching. They have 
too much professional-caste-pride to admit that they at all deviate from 
the creed of their faculty. The non-thinking, booby-class, stick to the 
text blindly. They shut their eyes to every new medical invention ; 
will not listen to any report of good coming from any other school ; 
fully believe, every time they lose a patient, that it is in the dispen- 
sation of Divine Providence that people should die at the particular 
juncture that they yield up their last breath; they are entirely satis- 
fied that they have done the best that could be done, and they feel 
perfectly, resigned to the will of the Supreme Being ! Men of no 
medical attainments whatever often succeed, through good sense and 
ingenuity, in curing people who have been set aside to die by the 
doctors. It has almost become a proverb that a good nurse is better 
than a physician ; and an invalid is more ready to take the advice 
and herb tea of some good old mother or "aunty," than the counsel 
and drugs of the polished physician. Indeed, the latter is often em- 
ployed for no other reason than to silence the clamor of friends, who 
would be shocked if the patient should die without the attendance 
of a popular doctor. The chaise at the door, and the gold-mounted 
cane in the hall, are evidences that nothing is left undone which may 
in any way contribute to tht> restoration of the one prostrated on a 
bed of sickness! Still another reason for the lack of confidence of 
the people in physicians, and the partial failure of the latter in making 
themselves worthy of confidence, will be found in the next essay. 



DOCTORS -JACKS AT ALL TRADES." 319 



Doctors " Jacks at all Trades." 

There can be no greater folly in a physician than to attempt, 
within the brief period of his mundane existence, to acquire skill in 
the treatment of all diseases to which mankind is subject. A large 
majority of the members of the medical profession are like the versa- 
tile mechanic, who is said to be a "jack at all trades and master 
of none." Any man who tasks his ingenuity by trying to unite in 
himself the house-carpenter, the joiner, the cabinet-maker, the 
carver, the pump-maker, the ship-carpenter, and chair-maker, may 
generally be set down as a man of extensive pretensions and meagre 
executive abilities. The professional man who assumes to combine 
in himself the politician, the pedagogue, the editor, the pettifogger, 
the domine, etc., may possibly exhibit some little tact in all, but he 
will as surely excel in none. So with the physician who would be 
a skillful surgeon, an accomplished accoucheur, and a successful doc- 
tor, in diseases both acute and chronic ; he divides his attention to 
such a degree as to render him unskillful in the performance of the 
duties of any one of them. 

There ought, at least, to be three distinct branches in the medical 
profession. The Burgeon : He must be a natural mechanic, and as 
well acquainted with the mechanism of the human system, as the 
watchmaker is with the fine works of a time-piece. His sympathies 
must be sufncently blunt to enable him to take the human system 
apart with a steady nerve. He must be as deaf to the cries of his 
patient as if he were moved by machinery like an automaton. The 
Physician in acute diseases: He must have a fair knowledge of 
anatomy, and be thoroughly accomplished in materia medica. He 
must be sympathetic ; a constant student, and thoroughly acquainted 
with all the symptoms presented in what are called acute diseases. 
He must have a taste for the duties of his vocation, and not pursue 
them simply with an eye to business. The Physician in chronic 
diseases : He, too, must have a pretty good knowledge of the organs 
and functions of the body, and of the science of materia medica. 
lie must have the sympathetic nature of a woman, and the patience 
of a mother. He must possess that intuition which will enable him 
to seek out the hidden causes of disease — to comprehend the relation 
which one complication sustains to another. He must move around 



320 DOCTORS. 

with his eyes and ears open — ready to enlarge his medical resources. 
He must, in brief, possess ingenuity, observation, intuition, sympathy, 
patience, and a spirit of perseverance and industry. He must love 
humanity, and pursue his profession mainly because he loves to do 
good. These are three entirely different vocations, even more dis- 
similar than house-buildirg, cabi not-making, and ship-building. 
Surely surgery is totally uniike prescribing for the sick, and it may 
be easily shown that there is no similarity whatever between acute 
and chronic diseases. 

Now, why should the physician be a jack at all trades any more 
than the mechanic, the lawyer, the school-teacher, or merchant? 
Look at the various departments in mercantile pursuits. The jewel- 
ler does not traffic in dry-goods, nor the dry-goods merchant in hard- 
ware, nor the grocer in watches, nor the furniture dealer in ti'n- 
ware, nor the crockery merchant in sugar. Occasionally these 
branches are united in sparsely- settled villages, and in such localities 
a physician might be excused for playing the surgeon and doctor in 
acute diseases, but a person residing in a small place suffering with 
a chronic complaint can avail himself of a city physician who 
devotes his entire attention to such disorders, and the village doctor 
should not tamper with this class of diseases if he desires to be suc- 
cessful and to do injury to no one. 

In large towns there is not a shadow of an excuse for a physician 
to practice all branches of his profession, to the manifest detriment 
of a large portion of his patients. Every physician knows, or ought 
to know, in what class of diseases lie is most successful, and in the 
treatment of which his mental capacities and acquirements best 
qualify him, and to this particular class he should devote his undi- 
vided attention, and not, like a patent medicine, proclaim himself 
an infallible cure for every disease. 

"With such a classification as I propose, the man who wants a limb 
amputated would go to the surgeon whose daily experience qualifies 
him to do his work skillfully ; one with a fever would send for a 
doctor whose experience is daily ripened in his exclusive attendance 
upon the calls of sufferers with acute diseases ; one with consumption, 
or other lingering disease, would call upon a physician whose atten- 
tion is solely given to the treatment of chronic disorders, in the 
constant management of which he is daily acquiring additional skill. 

In trying to cover the whole ground, a physician cannot possibly 



FEMALE DOCTORS. 321 

acquire superior skill before his locks are hoary and his energies 
paralyzed with age, and then, to use a common expression, u he is 
too lazy" to put to active use the acquirements which long years of 
study and experience have bestowed on him. How many, too, the 
old man has killed in preparing himself for skill and eminence, 
which he cannot bequeath to any younger relative or friend. 

What nonsense, then, for men to attempt to grasp knowledge and 
skill in all branches of the healing art, blundering along through 
years of unproficiency, dodging from the operating chair of a sur- 
geon to the sick-bed of a feverish patient, and from the accouchement 
bed to an examination of, and prescription for, a chronic disease of 
the lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach, or something else. 

So far as 1 am concerned, I wish it distinctly 'understood that I 
have nothing to do with surgery or acute diseases, my whole study 
and practice being solely devoted to complaints of a chronic nature. 
In these I claim to be proficient, and stand ready to compare the re- 
sults of my practice with that of any ten physicians, put together, 
who essay to treat all classes of disease. 

For the benefit of such of my patients as need surgical operations 
of any kind, I have a separate surgical bureau under the manage- 
ment of a physician skillful in this department ; but personally, I 
meddle with nothing outside of my specialty. If physicians gener- 
ally would pursue this course, the public would in time entertain a 
better opinion of the medical profession, and doctors would cease to 
be the butts of ridicule. 

Female Doctors. 

There is a great deal of debate nowadays as to the fitness of 
women for the profession of medicine. Is the serious consideration 
of this question intended to dignify and inflate the hordes of mascu- 
line boobies who throng our medical universities, or, to utterly 
disparage the intelligence of women? Which? For all w T ho grave- 
ly entertain it I would make the following infallible prescription :— > 

3> Common Sense, gr. j. 

Justice, 3 j 

Mind your business, q. s. 
Mix. 
U* 



322 DOCTORS. 

Make this compound into ten pills, and take one every five minutes 
when the question disturbs your conservative mind, until relieved. 
The disease is strictly a mental one, proceeding in men, from excess- 
ive vanity, and in women, from a servile zeal in flattering a sex 
already bloated with arrogance. 

It seems really difficult to write a word seriously under this head, 
for the reason that when the question is presented to any impartial 
mind, it would appear that if there is any one avocation to which 
woman is better suited by nature than to another, it is the care of 
the sick. Look for a moment at the qualities requisite to make a 
good physician. They are : keen perception — intuition — sympathy — 
patience— gentleness — love. No one, who has ever been stretched 
upon a bed of sickness, will omit from the category one of these 
qualities as unnecessary. Only two qualifications remain to be add- 
ed, viz. : an enthusiasm to undertake the duties of the profession, 
and a thorough education. No one will dispute that the first quali- 
ties named, are generally possessed to a greater degree by women than 
by men. Of the qualifications last mentioned, there is as little danger 
of women becoming doctors without a natural taste for the labors of 
the profession, as there is of men doing so ; and if any are disposed to 
assert that they are mentally incapable of acquiring an accomplished 
medical education when proper facilities are afforded, I suppose that 
person must be answered, although I blush at the indignity offered 
to women, while undertaking the task. How do Ave generally find it 
in schools ? Is it indeed iae case that boys learn more rapidly than 
girls? Reverse the question, and teachers will respond u Yes." 
Some claim that girls cannot attain proficiency in mathematics. 
This has never been established by any satisfactory evidence ; and if 
it were, what need has a physician of a complete mathematical edu- 
cation ? Others have said that she is not inventive. It is true that 
she has not flooded the patent office with caveats and applications 
for patents ; possibly because husbands and fathers have usurped for 
their personal benefit nearly every thing which the female mind may 
have suggested. But an objection of this kind may be effectually 
met by the facts that Madame Ducoudray invented the manikin, 
and Madame Boivin some of the most useful obstetrical instruments 
in use. The lady last mentioned is the author of several medical 
works, which are regarded as authorities by many eminent medical 
men in Europe and America. Professor Meigs, of Philadelphia, in 



FEMALE DOCTORS. 323 

alluding to the valuable services this eminent woman has rendered 
to the medical profession, remarks that : " Her writings prove her to 
have been a most learned physician, and as she enjoyed a very large* 
practice, her science and her great clinical experience, as well as heir 
personal knowledge, are more to be relied on than that of all mala 
physicians together." In England, a person must pass a rigid ex- 
amination to become a druggist, and a Miss Garrett passed " a five 
years' apprenticeship ; a preliminary examination in arts, and two 
professional examinations, each comprising five subjects." Miss 
Garrett was reported to have acquitted herself brilliantly, and the 
chairman of the apothecaries, after complimenting her ability, ex- 
pressed a wish " that all men in the profession were as well pre- 
pared." 

The time is rapidly approaching, however, when the success of 
women in the practice of medicine will be so well established that 
no one will have the effrontery to question her capacity in this pur- 
suit. Since Elizabeth Black well graduated from the medical school 
at Geneva, New York, in the year 1849, various medical colleges 
and hospitals have been established for the benefit of women. 

There are medical institutions for the instruction of women in this 
city, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and perhaps other citte* 
of the United States. There are about three thousand female phy- 
sicians in this country, who graduated regularly from chartered 
institutions. Some of these have incomes of ten or twenty thousand 
dollars per year from their practice. 

In England, France, Germany, and Austria, women have been 
admitted to practice. At this rate it will not take many years to 
convince the most knotty conservative mind that women will prac- 
tice medicine, and that, too, with credit to themselves and satisfac 
tion to their patients. 

There is one point wherein those favorable to women as practition 
ers of medicine fail to appreciate the benefit which may accrue when' 
female practitioners become available in every part of the country. 
The presentation of it at this time will sound as ridiculous as the claim 
of women to study medicine did twenty years ago ; but I trust that 
another score of years w r ill not pass before it is recognized. It is 
this: male invalids should have female physicians, and female inva- 
lids should have male physicians. 

One great argument used at this time for the admission of women 



324 DOCTORS. 

to the practice of medicine is, that they may attend to the diseases 
peculiar to their own sex ; but if the truth were fully known, the 
secret of the opposition of women to their own sex aspiring to fame 
in the medical profession, springs out of repugnance, in a measure, to 
any such arrangement. Women do not want female doctors to attend 
them. There are, of course, some actual and many seeming excep- 
tions to this rule ; but if there were as many eminent women in prac- 
tice at this moment as there are men, the majority of women would 
at heart prefer that the latter attend them ; and so soon as women 
become famous as doctors, men will not hesitate to exhibit a prefer- 
ence for female skill. This secret crops out even now, and may be 
perceived by any observer. The sick man who has a skillful female 
nurse in his room is charmed with her attentions, and takes her ad- 
vice and the little dainties she prepares, without hesitation. The 
visit of his physician is accepted as an evil that cannot be dispensed 
with, and when he has departed, the patient sagely questions the ra- 
tionale of his counsels and prescriptions. On the other hand, the 
sick woman, if her preferences in the selection of a physician have 
not been wantonly disregarded, dotes on the call of her doctor, and 
feels better when he is present. She takes his doses about as sub- 
missively as the sick man swallows the pleasant things the nurse pre- 
pares. The philosophy of all this may be discovered in the essay on 
M Sexual Starvation," commencing on page 164. I have taken some 
pains to ascertain the sentiments of intelligent patients of both sexes 
on this point, and although they at first appeared startled at the novelty 
of the idea, having never thought of such a thing before, they almost 
without exception, on reflection, agreed that such an arrangement would 
best accord with their individual preferences, if skill were equally 
divided between doctors of each sex. As things now are, the most 
steadfast friends of the family doctor are women. Every woman who 
has a really good physician, recommends him to everybody, and is 
impatient because she cannot induce her next-door neighbor to em- 
ploy him. To her imagination, he is about the nicest man, and the 
most skillful doctor the world has ever produced. Men never get 
so enthusiastic over their medical adviser, although they may express 
gratitude when relieved of pain by him. In the latter case, the 
relief is obtained mainly through the effects of medicaments admin- 
istered ; but with the woman, the benefit is about equally derived 
from the medicines and the magnetism of the doctor. He presses 



FEMALE DOCTORS. 325 

his hand on her brow, feels of her pulse, sits for awhile beside her, 
and chats as only a person of one sex can talk with one of the 
other. The conversation becomes flippant and cheerful ; the spirits 
rise like mercury in the thermometer when held in a warm hand ; 
the effect is magical; and when he departs, she looks forward with 
pleasure to the next call, while taking his prescriptions with confi- 
dence and alacrity during the interval. This, understand me, when 
she has the physician of her choice. Woe to the doctor if she does 
not like him personally ! She hesitates to send for him when her 
friends think it necessary. She never did take such nasty stuff be- 
fore ! She knows it can do her no good ! u Oh, dear! how can my 
husband have any confidence in that fellow?" 

Now, reader, here is a new crotchet for you to mentally digest. 
Bring the results of your observation, your personal experience, 
physiological and magnetic law, to bear upon its consideration. Dis- 
miss all idea of any impropriety in employing a female doctor if a 
man, or a masculine doctor if a woman. Indeed, the latter have had 
very little medical care from any other source than that of their 
opposite sex ; but scarcely anybody seems to have discovered any 
impropriety in the custom which sanctions it. I speak now as a 
man Vrights-man ! I demand for our sex the medical education of 
women in order that we may, when sick, have their sympathy, ad- 
vice, and medical care. Who can consistently oppose the proposi- 
tion ? Certainly not those women who have objected to the medical 
education of women because they are satisfied to have only male 
doctors; this would be selfish. Nor yet men who think the latter 
may be with propriety employed to attend their wives and daughters 
in all cases however delicate. " What is sauce for the goose, is sauce 
for the gander!" It is, then, left for those only who are in favor 
of female medical schools and practitioners, to urge an objection. 
Nothing can consistently come from this quarter ; for when female 
physicians become numerous, it may, in sparsely-settled regions, be 
quite as difficult to employ a male practitioner as it is now to find a 
female physician. The latter may take the place of many of the 
former entirely in some localities; so it will be perceived that 
"things will become mixed," unavoidably, unless we have some 
definite idea of the distinct functions of male and female practition- 
ers, and act upon it. If it be decided that we must have female 
doctors for men, and male physicians for women, it will encourage 



326 DOCTORS. 

the settlement of those of each sex in every neighborhood, large or 
small ; and then, when any one has an affection of a very delicate 
character, peculiar to his or her sex, there will be an opportunity to 
44 change base," and present the case to a physician of the same sex 
as the patient. 

Rapacious Doctors. 

The finny inhabitants of the sea have sharks among them. On 
land there are beasts and birds of prey. The human family is not 
exempt from analogous specimens. There are vampires among all 
classes, trades, and professions. Sharp practice in trade, however, 
produces no immediate effect upon any thing except the pocket ; but 
the physician who prostitutes his profession by frightening, and then 
picking the pockets of the sick, places himself on a level witli those 
monsters inhuman shape, who, amid the crash and ruin of earthquakes, 
sack falling buildings and rifle the bodies of the prostrate and dying. 
44 Your money or your life!" is the ejaculation of the highwayman, 
and it is morally and practically the demand of the rapacious physi- 
cian. These strictures by no means apply to those who, by assidu- 
ous devotion to the studies and duties of the profession, acquire a 
reputation which enables them to charge and receive large fees for 
their services. It is perfectly consistent with the commercial spirit 
of our imperfect civilization, and in exact keeping with the business 
understanding which our social system has established, to do so. 
The minister of the gospel who possesses the greatest power to edify 
a congregation, generally finds it his Christian duty to accept a call 
from the church which pays the highest salary. The lawyer who 
has gained a reputation in his profession, is so beset with clients that 
he can keep his practice within the limits of his physical endurance 
only by charging such fees as will frighten away from his office what 
are commonly denominated "small fry." The merchant who pos- 
sesses a mind that enables him to conduct an extensive establishment, 
makes his millions per year, w T hile his smaller competitors are satis- 
fied with their thousands or hundreds. The experienced navigator, 
who can trace a path covered by fathomless water, commands a 
larger salary than the captain of an oyster sloop, who guides his craft 
by landmarks and light-houses. The mechanic who has acquired such 
skill in handicraft as to be able to construct a steam-engine, receives 
greater pay than one who can only hammer out a pot-hook. The 



RAPACIOUS DOCTORS. 327 

farmer who has studied so deeply into the science of agriculture that 
he rivals his less enterprising neighbors in the production of fine 
crops, receives a correspondingly larger compensation for his wisdom 
and industry. Even Bridget, in the kitchen, who understands all 
the arts of cooking, receives five or ten dollars more per month than 
ber muscular sister who can only do the household scrubbing. It is, 
therefore, entirely in harmony with the established law regulating 
compensations, for the skillful physician to limit his personal labors 
to his power to do, by charging fees commensurate with his ability ; 
but the rapacious doctor is one who, for the express purpose of mak- 
ing fees, alarms those who consult him. I will give a couple of il- 
lustrations of an aggravating character which came under my imme- 
diate observation. One Sabbath morning I w r as summoned to my 
consultation room by a woman of about thirty years of age, who 
looked the picture of despair. Every feature betokened agonizing 
distress. She had passed many sleepless nights in apprehension of 
an early and painful death. This apprehension was occasioned by 
the consultation of a doctor who pronounced her disease, cancer in 
the stomach; and, as if this diagnosis was not sufficiently alarming in 
itself, he told her she would not live six w^eeks if she did not have im- 
mediate medical attention. Fortunately he placed his fees above her 
ability to pay. I say fortunately, because had she become his patient, 
she would have been frightened and drugged into a condition of 
disease. Unable to raise the required money, she sought other 
advice. After examining her case, I assured her that there was 
nothing in the world the matter but a slight attack of gastritis, caused 
by some imprudence in eating. She had consulted the doctor only 
on account of momentary pain, such as anybody may have by eating 
something which might disturb the digestion. After some effort, I 
quieted her fears, and sent her away without fee or medicine. Some 
months after, she called to assure me of the correctness of my diag- 
nosis, and to thank me for the mental relief my opinion had render- 
ed. Case number two was a planter from Louisiana, w T ho had come 
to the city to sell a cargo of sugar. He had the appearance of a man 
of means, and was a capital subject for a rapacious doctor. He 
called upon me with the remark that he had stricture of the urethra. 
Upon examination, no symptom warranted any such supposition, and 
I asked him why he had imagined that he was strictured. He 
replied . that he had, before leaving New Orleans, a disease of the 



328 DOCTORS. 

urethra liable to result in stricture, and that on arriving in New 
York, he had consulted a physician to ascertain if such a difficulty 
was developing. The doctor examined his case, and gravely decided 
that the urethra had already become the seat of stricture. He pre- 
scribed for him, and received a fee of thirty dollars ! Making further 
investigation, to be sure that I was quite right, and finding not the 
first indication of any complaint, I assured him that there was nothing 
at all the matter, and advised him to let medicines and doctors alone ; 
but the idea seemed fixed in his imagination that there was, and with 
strange persistency, he inquired if I would not undertake his case. 
What, thought I, shall I do with this man ? My business and moral 
faculties had a soliloquy. The latter told me that if I accepted his 
money it would burn my pocket and disturb my sleep. Finally, I 

said, " Mr. A , let this alone for four weeks, and if at the end of 

that time any thing like stricture shows itself, I will prescribe for 
you." He departed, and in less than ten days called again, and 
informed me that he felt an unusual uneasiness in the urethra. On 
examination I found the orifice inflamed, and inquired if he had not 
been using bougies. " Yes," was his response, " the doctor who before 
prescribed for me, advised them." I urged him to let the supposed 
affection alone, as he was causing irritation ; and made him promise 
that he would wait the time I had before advised ; but before the 
expiration of twenty days he fell into the hands of another rapacious 
medical concern, more ravenous than the first — had paid $100 ; and 
now they demanded $1,400 more before they could perfect a cure! 
The man was so thoroughly scared that he actually thought of ac- 
cepting these exorbitant terms, and it was with difficulty that I 
talked him out of the notion which the doctors had talked into him. 
Determining not to be remotely accessory to the robbery of this 
frightened man, I refused, from first to last, to receive one cent 
from him. I say this in justice to myself, for it is due to my self- 
respect, at the close of this remarkable story, that I should publicly 
wash my hands of all participation in the revenue accruing from the 
sharp practice of the doctors in this case. Whether he finally fol- 
lowed my advice I am unable to say, as he did not call again. 

"While some people are not apt to realize the danger they are in 
when diseased, many become unduly alarmed on the slightest occa- 
sion of pain or other physical disturbance ; and it is better that the 
former die in their ignorance, than that the latter should be frightened 



CONCLUSION. 329 

to death by an intentionally deceptive, or a careless diagnosis. It, 
therefore, should be the aim of the honorable physician to avoid 
arousing unnecessary alarm in the minds of invalids or those who 
may imagine that they are sick ; and the latter should not be too 
credulous when a doctor tells them that their symptoms indicate 
danger. Indeed, the honesty of any physician may be suspected 
when he takes apparent pains to impress on the invalid a sense of 
anxiety about himself. This duty may safely be left to the friends of 
the invalid if he be not himself sufficiently concerned to take the 
necessary steps for effecting his recovery. Anxious mothers, sisters, 
husbands, and wives are generally quick to observe the signs of failing 
health in one they love, and unfortunately they sometimes unduly 
alarm the invalid by their expressions of solicitude. In no case is it 
necessary for the doctor to do so, even in expressing a candid opinion, 
as there is a way of pronouncing an unfavorable diagnosis without 
arousing the timidity of the patient. 

Fortunately for the sick, the practice of medicine has a human- 
izing effect upon the hearts of men who pursue it. Daily contact 
with suffering humanity develops sympathy and liberality, so that 
even the mercenary doctor of to day, may in time become too 
considerate of the health and life of those who consult him, to prey 
upon their fears. 

Conclusion. 

"With the close of the foregoing essay we reach not only the end 
of this chapter, but the termination of Part I. The author hopes 
that the reader has been interested and benefited by the perusal of 
" Medical Common Sense" thus far, and so trusting, he introduces 
you to Part IL 



330 




THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY LAID OPEN. 



The intestines arc mostly removed, showing the descending aorta, A ; the ascending 
vena cava, Y ; the liver raised up, exposing its under surface, L ; gall-bladder, G ; pan- 
creas, P ; kidneys, K ; spleen, S ; rectum, E ; bladder, B v 



P J± RT II. 

Chronic Diseases: their Causes and 
Successful Treatment. 



OPENING CHAPTER. 

CHRONIC DISEASES. 



HIS portion of " Medical Common Sense" 
designated as Part Second, will be 
devoted to essays on those forms of 
disease usually known by the name of 
chronic. To the treatment of chronic 
affections the author has given his 
undivided personal attention for a period of 
forty years. Physicians devoted to what is 
commonly termed " Family practice," are so 
occupied with the management of acute disease, 
they have little patience and less skill if called 
upon to remove any thing more than the physical 
ills which confine their patients to their bed or 
room. Consequently, when a person is out of 
health and yet able to be about, he imagines he 
must "grin and bear it," as his family physician fails to prescribe 
any thing which affords more than present relief. If he decides to 
try skill which is regarded as eminent, lie is then liable to fall into 




332 CHRONIC DISEASES. 

the hands of some surgeon who has carved out of the flesh and bones 
of his fellow-beings, an immortal name. ^The public fails to discrim- 
inate between the qualifications necessary for a successful surgeon, 
and those requisite for success in medicine. Dr. Knife has performed 
operations in cutting out tumor; in removing an entire nose, and 
making a new one ; in taking out a portion of the jaw ; in taking 
somebody pretty much all to pieces and putting him together again, 
etc. etc ; all of which operations have been duly chronicled in the 
columns of the daily press, and excited the surprise of the multitude. 
On the other hand, Dr. Herb has actually taken cases pronounced 
as consumption ; others considered as incurable dyspeptics ; and 
still others of women dragging out a miserable existence with female 
complaints ; and these supposed incurables, he medicates and advises 
until they are thoroughly restored, much to the surprise of their 
friends. The newspapers take no notice of these remarkable cures ; 
and they are known to but the limited circle of those immediately 
interested. Why ? Because a reporter for the press could not be 
on the spot those long weary weeks or months to witness the grow- 
ing strength and ultimate triumph. The doctor's story told to the 
editor, seldom elicits his earnest attention, as he hardly considers 
the hero of this medical feat, a competent witness. If he takes the 
pains to inquire about the matter in the neighborhood, it is quite 
likely some envious resident physician will "put a flea in his ear;' 1 
Poh ! Poh ! at the whole thing ; and gravely declare that the in- 
valid was in a fair way to recover before the u quack 1 ' was employed. 
So Mr. Editor thinks it is quite as safe to say nothing about the 
matter. Thus in this little illustration it will be seen how easily an 
expert surgeon can build up a great reputation by a few important 
operations, and how slowly the skillful man of medicine rises by a 
gradual extension of a knowledge of his ability ; and even at the 
apex of his success, he has not attained that celebrity which the 
surgeon acquired by the extraordinary stories of his surgical feats, 
published as they were in widely circulating journals on both sides 
of the Atlantic. This country has produced surgeons who have a 
world-wide celebrity, and justly so; but whose medical attainments, 
or at least success in medicine, have been less marked than those of 
some obscure village doctors. Indeed I could name two or three 
who are as well known in Europe as in America, having performed 
operations that made their names famous, but whose advice I would 



WHAT IS A CHRONIC DISEASE. 333 

not accept in any case of disease, acute or chronic, requiring the 
administration of medicine. I would sooner put my case, if I were 
not able to take care of it myself, in the hands of somebody's grand- 
mother than to trust to their combined skill. 

The public, however, seldom notice the means by which the sur- 
geon acquires reputation ; and consequently, when the family 
physician fails to cure an invalid, and it is thought best to try other 
skill, he is almost sure to fall next into the hands of some man 
eminent in surgery, and bitter is the disappointment if this great 
physician (?) fails to produce any change for the better. Heart-sick 
and discouraged the patient abandons his avocations and prepares 
for the other world, if the medicines have produced adverse instead 
of beneficial results. " My fate is sealed" mutters the disconsolate 
invalid, " if this great man can do me no good." The world is full 
of these discouraged people, many of whom are naturally so enduring 
— so tenacious of life — that they cannot die, while existence to them 
is but prolonged misery. But is it really true that there is no help 
for these sufferers ? From the experience and success I have had in 
an extensive practice exclusively devoted to this very class of 
diseases, I can conscientiously assure my readers that there is. Not 
that all can be cured ; this would be an extravagant assumption ; 
no miracles are proposed. In a majority of cases, however, pro- 
nounced incurable by the faculty, and esteemed in the neighborhood 
where they exist as hopeless, — there is help — there is permanent 
relief; but that succor must be sought at the hands of some one 
who is as familiar with the peculiarities of these diseases as the sur- 
geon is with anatomy and the instruments he uses in his operating 
room. Do not go to the blacksmith for bread, nor to the baker to 
have your wagon repaired. 

What is a Chronic Disease ? 

There is a deal of vague apprehension in the minds of professional 
as well as non-professional men and women, as to what constitutes 
a chronic disease. Some physicians in family j>ractice denominate 
every thing chronic which their advice and prescriptions do not cure. 
Not a few people conjecture that it is a term applicable only to 
diseases of a disreputable character. An advertisement was once re- 
jected by one of our leading daily journals, because it contained the 



334 CHRONIC DISEASES. 

word chronic ! Even Hahnemann, the founder of homoeopathy, held 
that all diseases not ultimately curable by nature's spontaneous effort, 
were not only chronic, but had their origin either immediately or 
remotely in syphilis or badly treated itch. To many there is a ter- 
ror in the name chronic, to the extent that they at once imagine 
themselves consigned to uninterrupted suffering and a lingering 
death, when the family physician gravely looks over his spectacles 
and remarks — " Your disease has assumed a chronic form." Webster 
defines it as a disease of an inveterate nature, or of long continuance, 
in distinction from an acute disease which speedily terminates. This 
definition is not strictly correct. 

A chronic affection is one in ichich disease lias insidiously taken 
possession of the human system, or "become triumphant after a pain- 
ful struggle of long or short duration ; while an acute affection is one 
in which the struggle is actually going on, at which juncture it is 
difficult to tell, from hour to hour, whether nature will prove victo- 
rious and the patient get well, or the disease come off conqueror, and 
leave the patient stone dead or physically infirm. If the latter, then 
chronic disease has succeeded the acute attack. Through improper 
habits of living, impurities may creep into the blood, and infirmities 
take possession of the system as quietly as filibusters sometimes creep 
one by one into a country, and peacefully revolutionize it. The fili- 
busters become too powerful to be resisted, before the native in- 
habitants are apprised of their presence. So the seeds of chronic 
disease may stealthily and steadily gather in the system until they 
become too formidable for the recuperative powers of nature to re* 
sist, when, as one patient remarked to me, " Disease became my 
normal condition." Or, a person may be born diseased, in which 
case the recuperative powers from birth were bound as with cords. 
In either case, whether disease has quietly taken possession of the 
system, or been handed down from generation to generation, naturo 
may in time sufficiently rally to make an attack, and then comes the 
acute struggle, called acute disease, just as when disease is acting 
on the offensive. This is an important combat, and when the 
smoke of battle clears away, the patient may find that he has recov- 
ered or attained to a condition of health ; if not, he relapses into his 
former condition of lingering infirmity, and his diseases are callej 
chronic. 

Acute disease may precede and usher in the chronic form. With- 



WHAT IS A CHRONIC DISEASE. 335 

out any symptom of warning, the victim may be prostrated with 
contagion, poison, or fever. In this case disease comes with banners 
and trumpets, and a fierce conflict ensues between the bold enemy 
and the vis-rnedicatrix-naturaa. Friends watch anxiously at the bed- 
side; the countenance of the attending physician is studied for en- 
couragement ; unnecessary work is suspended to attend to the suf- 
ferer ; all is excitement and anxiety as when a fierce battle is raging 
between your own armies and those of an enemy. The day and 
night pass. The sun glimmers through the lattice-windows, and 
rests upon the face of the sick man. Is nature coping successfully 
with the enemy ? If so, the patient will in a few days or weeks be 
restored to his wonted health. If nature's powers waver, the enemy 
triumphs, and the victim is either slain or released from his bed on 
parole. If the latter, the patient bears about with him what may 
properly be termed a chronio disease. 

One word more, and I will take leave of this chapter. Let it not 
be inferred from what has been said, that chronic disease can be 
cured only by bringing on what the hydropathists call a "Crisis." 
The predisposing or perpetuating causes may be gradually overcome 
without precipitating a struggle such as is presented in the conflict 
between nature and disease, just as chronic disease is sometimes ac- 
quired by the gradual ingathering of blood-impurities and nervous 
derangements. This gradual revolution of the system may be re- 
versed in favor of health, and although it will not be possible in all 
cases to avoid a crisis, it had better be averted if possible, even 
though the patient pursue treatment longer. We may better take 
more time in physical as well as moral reform, than to precipitate 
a stormy conflict. 




CHAPTER II. 

CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING O.T2ANS. 



EFORE entering upon an investigation of the 
causes, nature, and management of affections 
which should be considered under this head, let 
us stop for a moment and observe the importance 
of the organs with which we breathe. Every liv- 
thing has to have air to enable it to exist. Even the 
plants and trees have lungs ; but by a strange provision of 
nature, they are enabled, in cold climates, to do without them 
during the winter. (It would be a happy arrangement for 
consumptive people if they could do so too.) The foliage 
constitutes the lungs of vegetation, and if a tree be girdled so 
as to prevent the sap (blood) from passing up through its branches 
(bronchial tubes) to the leaves (lungs), it will perish. By this plan 
of girdling, a woodman may strangle a forest of oak as easily as an 
orchard of apple-trees. In Fig. 84 we have a representation 
of the respiratory system of a tree, and in Fig. 85 a representation 
of the breathing passages of the human system. 

By this comparison we find them quite analogous ; but if we dissect 
the two we shall at once be struck with the greater completeness of 
the respiratory organs which appertain to animal life. 

The minutest insect must breathe or die. Corked in a bottle, or 
otherwise confined, the tiny gnat, as well as the noisy bee, will die 
so soon as the vitalizing properties of the air in the confined vessel 
are consumed. Fishes must breathe or cease to swim. Their lungs 
are so wonderfully formed, and fringed by what are called their 
gills, that they separate the air from the water ; and while the water 
passes into their mouths and through their gills, they receive the 
life-giving properties of air. When taken out of the water they live 



CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 337 

until the slimy secretions of their delicate breathing apparatus be- 
comes gluey, and then, as one by one the air-passages are sealed up, 
respiration becomes more and more difficult, until the function of 
breathing ceases altogether. It is 
not impossible that human ingenuity 
may some time invent something that 
will perform the peculiar function of 
the gills, so that the appliance at- 
tached to the head and shoulders of a , 
human being will enable him to live 
for hours under water ; but it will be 
time better employed for the present 
to devise means to enable all to 
breathe above water. Many are 
troubled to do this, and die for want 
of breath, when all other but the re- 
spiratory organs are unimpaired. A 
majority of the doctors, and all the 
surgeons, seem to rather hasten than 
to arrest disease affecting the organs 
with which we breathe. One emi- 
nent surgeon has remarked that, 
u Consumptives are not subjects for 
medical treatment, except when it is 
necessary to smooth the path to the 
grave." This is honest, and it would 

, „ .» ,, , , . . RESPIRATORY 6YSTEM OF A TREE. 

be well it all surgeons and physicians 

in family practice would make haste and come to the same conclu- 
sion, and act consistently therewith. The public are slowly discover- 
ing that to obtain relief from this class of affections, they must go 
out of the " Regular Practice," and employ the services of some- 
body who gives special attention to what are termed chronic diseases. 
The breathing passages of the human body begin at the nose, 
where the air should in all cases be received, in order that it may be 
filtered of dust, and warmed by its passage through the spongy mass 
of animal fibre which intervenes between the nasal cavities and the 
vesicles of the lungs. On entering the nostrils, the air passes down 
through the filtering membranes to the throat and bronchial tubes, 
and is by these latter organs conducted into the little cells called 
15 




338 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS* 



Fig. S5. 



vesicles, which are so numerous that it is computed the lungs con- 
tain six hundred millions of them, and that their entire surface is 
equal to fifteen hundred square feet ! Here, with only a thin trans- 
parent membrane intervening, it 
comes in contact with the venous 
blood. This venous blood has tra- 
versed the whole system, and 
gathered up the useless gases to be 
respired. Quickly as the touch of 
strawberry juice on your clean 
white collar imparts a stain of red, 
the dark carbonaceous blood is 
changed to a rich arterial complex- 
ion, and then goes on its way to 
distribute the valuable properties it 
has derived from its commercial visit 
to one of the great physiological 
marts. The blood, indeed, carries 
on a regular trade between the 
various organs of the body and the 
atmosphere, the lungs being one of 
its principal ports. It barters off 
carbonic acid gas for oxygen, and 
although it seems almost like sbarp 
practice, the atmosphere does not 
seem to realize that it is cheated, 
but at once makes use of what it 
receives in its great laboratory, as if it had made a capital exchange; 
but we would hastily adjudge the gardener a fool who would give a 
pound of vegetables for a pound of compost ! Considering, there- 
fore, the liberal arrangement nature has made for this unequal ex- 
change, the least we can do is to keep the roads in good order, so 
that the carbonic acid gas may be brought without impediment to the 
place where it may be disposed of on such generous terms. To do 
this we must keep the breathing passages of the head, throat, bron- 
chia, and lungs in a healthy condition, and the essays given in this 
chapter will point out the most common difficulties which interfere 
to prevent this, and present some important suggestions on their pre- 
vention and cure. 




RE8PIRATORY SYSTEM OF MAN. 



CHRONIC CATARRH OF THE HEAD. 



339 



Fig. SO. 



Chronic Catarrh of the Head. 

There is no affection of the breathing passages, excepting actual 
consumption, that more effectually obstructs the action of the respi- 
ratory apparatus than chronic catarrh of the head. The purulent 
mucous secretions which characterize this difficulty, not only block 
up in many cases the air-passages of the head, but they pass along 
down into the larynx ; run into, and coat the bronchial tubes ; and 
not unfrequently lodge in the air-vesicles of the lungs. Thus ob- 
structed, thus coated, thus filled up, in the act of respiration, the air 
with difficulty passes the blockade, and when it enters the cells of 
the lungs it finds tliem muffled almost to imperviousness ; in conse- 
quence of which the blood 
is but partially relieved of 
its carbonaceous qualities, 
and is insufficiently vital- 
ized by oxygen. The an- 
nexed cut, Fig. 86, rep- 
resents the canals and 
sinuses, or cavities, in 
the bones of the face, in 
which catarrhal secre- 
tions are liable to occur. 
The dark patches are in- 
tended to illustrate the 
cavities, and the black 
lines the canals. The lat- 
ter are not separate and 
distinct tubes, as might be 
inferred by the lines made 
to represent them. The 
lines are simply designed 
to trace the course of the 
smaller cavities which 
unite the larger ones, and 
further to illustrate how 
catarrhal secretions are 
conducted into the respi- 
ratory organs below, and also how they may reach and affect 




THE CAVITIES IX THE BOXES OF TITE FAOK 
SUBJECT TO CATARRH. 



340 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

the eyes and ears. This cut beautifully illustrates the parts liable 
to the affection under consideration, and was designed expressly 
for this book. 

Catarrh is a common complaint. Almost everybody, at times, has 
a touch of it, while some never know what it is to be free from the 
distemper. Many people are affected with it who do not mistrust 
that it is a disease. They imagine that the discharges from the head 
are but the natural wastes of the mucous membrane. Such persons 
ought to be informed that the healthy mucous membrane secretes 
only a sufficiency of mucus to keep it moist or free from uncomfort- 
able dryness, and that when there is a discharge from the nose or 
an expectoration of mucus from the throat, there exists a disease of 
that membrane known by the name of catarrh. This affection in 
many cases, produces no painful symptoms, and presents no evidence 
of its existence other than the accumulation of phlegm in the 
breathing passages. In others, it is attended with heaviness and per- 
haps pain in the base of the forehead; redness of the eyes ; dulness 
of hearing, and ringing in the ears. In more susceptible cases it 
produces inflammation of the eyes, and deafness ; or tickling in the 
throat and cough ; or foul breath and decomposition of the facial 
bones ; or loss of taste and smell. 

The medical profession are about as much befogged in regard to 
the cause of catarrh as the masses of the people. In the days of 
Hippocrates, it was supposed to be the effete secretions of the brain, 
which found vent at the nose, eyes, and ears! When Galen was 
accounted authority, it was thought that there was a kind of animal 
vapor constantly rising in the human system, which on reaching the 
arch of the skull, gathered there, and, passing through a process of 
condensation like the steam in the cover of a tea-kettle, drizzled 
down through the facial orifices ! It was not suspected until the 
seventeenth century, that catarrhal matter emanated from the glands 
of the mucous membrane, and ever since then, the doctors have been 
mainly treating it as if it were simply a local disease ; and it has been 
a favorite target for all sorts of medical sportsmen to fire at. Some 
shoot astringent liquids into the nostrils ; others play fine streams of 
medicated spray into the breathing passages ; another attempts to 
flank the enemy by throwing dust into his eyes in the form of 
catarrh snuff ; while still another medical wiseacre thinks he wil] 
smoke or steam him out with some newly invented fumes or vapors 



CHRONIC CATARRH OF THE HEAD. 34]^ 

It is not to be disputed that some of these inventions may prove 
valuable as adjunctives; but they should only be so employed, for 
catarrh is really the result of a diseased state of the blood. It seems 
to me very easy to account for catarrh, and I will here present a 
theory which I have never seen promulgated, but which the intelli- 
gent reader will, I am confident, regard as coramon-senseful. 
Checked perspiration, such as may occur whether a person is con- 
scious of having taken a cold or not, confines within the skin the 
acidulous and effete vapors which in health pass off in the form of 
insensible perspiration ; and these properties, thrown back upon the 
blood, cause inflammation, and this inflammation decomposes some of 
the corpuscles and other solid substances of the blood ; reduces a 
portion of them to purulent matter, just as the inflammation of a run- 
ning sore eats away and decomposes the animal fibre about it. As 
this melting of the solid constituents of the blood proceeds, an 
outlet must be found for decayed matter, and as it more nearly 
resembles mucus than any other of the secretions, the mucous 
glands come to the rescue, and this purulent matter sweats through 
the mucous membrane as profusely in some cases, as common perspi- 
ration pours through the skin of an excited man on a sultry day. 
When the checked perspiration, the cold, or influenza, is overcome, 
and the skin becomes again active, the catarrhal symptoms may 
possibly disappear without treatment ; but if they do not, one of two 
conclusions may be fairly deduced : either the blood has been so 
poisoned by the effete matters thrown back upon it, that it has not 
recuperative power sufficient to recover and arrest this rotting of its 
solid constituents ; or else the blood possessed beforehand impurities 
which rendered it susceptible to attack, and which have become too 
active to subside without the aid of medicine calculated to enrich 
and purify the vascular fluids. Upon this hypothesis regarding the 
pathology of catarrh. I have cured cases of this disease of twenty 
years' standing. 

Whenever a case of catarrh outlasts the cold which precipitated it, 
the difficulty may reasonably be called chronic, and it will be found 
upon examination with the speculum that the mucous membrane 
appears blanched and thickened, with here and there raw and in- 
flamed patches. The secretion by this time is either thick and gluey, 
so as to coat over the delicate lining of the breathing passages below, 
or possessed of less consistency and greater acrimony, so that it 



342 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

scalds and inflames the membrane over which it passes. In all cases 
of a pulmonary diathesis, either of these conditions is threatening, 
and will lead to serious lung complications unless timely arrested. 
In other cases of different idiosyncrasy, it may confine its operations 
so much to the sinuses and the organs of special sense, that deafness, 
blindness, loss of smell and taste may be the results — one or all — of 
its progress. Or it may limit its action entirely to the breathing 
passages of the head, causing simply bad breath and unwholesome 
expectoration. In no case, however, can the full benefit of the 
function of respiration be obtained while catarrh in any form exists. 
If it does not absolutely stop up the air-passages of the head, it 
vitiates every breath of air the person inhales ; for in its mildest 
form the viscid matter is corrupt, and imparts a taint to the air 
which comes in contact with it. Then, just to the extent that it 
spreads itself over and coats the membrane lining the bronchial tubes 
and air vesicles, it renders these organs less capable of performing 
their work of vitalizing the blood. So it will be seen that catarrh 
is self-supporting when once established in the head ; for while it is 
perpetuated by impure blood, it so poisons the air inhaled, and so 
obstructs the meeting of the air and blood in the vesicles of the 
lungs, that the vascular fluids are still further impaired and made 
capable of supplying indefinitely the diseased matter, which the 
mucous glands will secrete. The catarrhal secretions of to-day 
poison the blood, and this poison decomposes enough of the sub- 
stance of the blood to cause a copious catarrhal secretion to-morrow 
— and that to-morrow repeats the process, and so on inimitably. If 
this action and reaction be arrested simply by local means for a few 
weeks or months, the patient is pretty sure to have a return of the 
distemper unless all the offensive matters have been expelled from 
the circulation ; consequently, even in the lightest cases of catarrh, 
constitutional treatment should be used in conjunction with what may 
be done locally. In cases of women when only topically treated for 
catarrh, the disease in some instances is driven to the vagina, causing 
copious leucorrhcea, then the latter treated locally results in the re- 
sumption of the catarrh of the head. In this way it is driven from 
one point to the other, alternately, until the patient becomes nearly 
discouraged. I might occupy considerable space here in presenting 
the history of some cases illustrative of this statement, but as the 
personal experience of many female readers will corroborate it, this 



CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE THROAT. 



343 



Fig. ST. 



course is hardly necessary. Those having catarrh who have become 
faithless as to its curability are invited to a perusal of the extracts 
of letters from patients given in the closing chapter of this part. 
My success is the result of combining constitutional with local treat- 
ment. By pursuing this course I have found catarrh, in most cases, 
a disease which may be easily and permanently disposed of. 

m 
Chronic Affections of the Throat. 

Xow let us take a peep into the throat. Bring a spoon or some- 
thing with which to hold the tongue down. TTe are supposed to 
have a patient affected with throat difficulties as represented in the 
annexed cut. 

You see those spongy-looking bodies on either side of the orifice 
leading to the throat ? They are the tonsils, which in some cases 
become so inflamed and swollen as almost to obliterate the passage. 
By pressing them, instead of send- 
ing out a transparent mucous fluid 
as they do in health, a thick white, 
green, or yellow matter issues from 
them. They are enlarged, and your 
doctor may advise you to have them 
clipped off a little, but I would dis- 
countenance haste in this emergency. 
An operation of this kind should not 
be performed unless other means have 
failed. Generally, medicine will cure 
them. That little round pendulous 
thing that hangs down between the 1 
tonsils is the uvula. That too, in 
some cases, is inflamed and unduly 
elongated — so much so, that when the 
mouth is closed it will rest upon the tongue. It may be thought best 
to take off a little piece of that; but it is not well to allow any 
operation of the kind, unless it be too long when no inflammation is 
present. Sometimes there is what may be called a congenital elon- 
gation, in which case only it may be abridged by the surgeon. That 
arched like membrane over the entrance to the throat, from the 
upper central part of which the uvula is suspended, is popularly called 
the "Soft Palate/ 1 Behind, and below that, the membrane cover- 




Tin: DISEASED TIIEOAT. 



344: CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

ing the back wall of the throat has a fiery red appearance, with 
patches of white or yellow matter here and there ; or perhaps a few 
ulcers are interspersed. Your family doctor will want to cauterize the 
diseased membrane. Do not accept too quickly of this advice. It may 
"be well to resort to cauterization in some cases, but the cautery had 
letter be avoided until more gentle means are tried. The application 
Of caustic to the mucous membraAe always leaves it in a sensitive con- 
dition ; and if the blood is overloaded with impurities, the ulceration 
is absolutely made worse by its application. It acts like a local 
irritant, and diverts the impurities to the place where it is applied. 

There are many people who are subject, whenever there is a 
ehange of weather, to sore throat. They are said to be predisposed 
to affections of the throat. Why this predisposition ? The immedi- 
ate cause is generally known. Some stubborn man "with a big 
overcoat" in the cars, would keep the window open and our 
neighbor caught an awful cold. This, in his opinion, was the caus» 
of his difficulty, and, indeed, so it was the immediate cause, but if he 
had escaped this exposure some other would have precipitated the 
same difficulty, because his system was in a condition to predispose 
him to just such an attack. Perhaps the predisposing cause waa 
hereditary — perhaps it was incurred by impure vaccination to pre- 
vent the much dreaded small-pox — possibly it was contracted in 
youth by dissipated habits — it may be that the invalid had a scrofu- 
lous ancestry; but however this predisposition may have been 
obtained, it will in all such cases be found to exist in the blood. 
Consequently, an impure quality of the vascular fluids may be set 
down as the predisposing cause. There are those who constantly 
carry about with them enlarged and inflamed tonsils, and possibly 
ulcerated throats. In these cases, it will be found on investigation that 
their troubles arise from syphilitic impurities ; or an inherited scrofu- 
lous taint ; or possibly from contracted scrofulous impurity ; but syphi- 
Jitic or scrofulous blood, one or the other, is the predisposing cause. 

There is still another affection called laryngitis, or " clergyman's 
sore throat," which arises from milder impurities of the blood. 
"While clergymen appear more subject to it than other people, it 
is, nevertheless, a common disease among the members of the legal 
profession, public singers, school-teachers, lecturers, auctioneers, 
and those who are obliged to exercise their vocal organs to a con- 
siderable extent. In talking, public speaking, and singing, the air, ex- 



CHKONIC BRONCHITIS. 



345 




pelled as it always is, with vehemence, has a frictional effect upon 
the mucous membrane, just as rubbing the finger on the cuticle 
produces friction of the skin. This friction pro- 
duces heat — the heat attracts the humoral properties of 
the blood — the presence of these produces irritation — 
irritation induces inflammation, and if the blood is in 
a scrofulous or syphilitic condition the inflammation 
may cause ulceration. Laryngitis is characterized by 
hoarseness and weakness of voice ; dry cough ; and 
sometimes with pain and soreness about the throat. 
Catarrh of the head often so irritates the throat as 
to invite blood-impurities there, and in childhood 
diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever, colds, &c, are the 
immediate causes. 

Gargles of various kinds are generally resorted to for 
relief from throat affections; but they are as insufficient, 
so far as any permanent relief is concerned, as snuff and 
vapors are for catarrh. The blood must receive the most attention. 

The sufferer from throat troubles, catarrh, or other difficulties, is 
always tempted to go to work at once locally. He imagines that if 
he can only bring something of a healing character in contact with 
those irritated or ulcerated surfaces, he can overcome the evil ; and 
after having tried all sorts of local panaceas, he is too liable to con- 
clude that his difficulty is incurable, and that he must go through 
life with it ; but in nearly all cases when the faith of this class of 
patients can be sufficiently established to enable them to go patiently 
at work in the use of remedies, skillfully prepared, to act upon con- 
stitutional or predisposing causes, they are agreeably surprised to 
find that this class of difficulties may be disposed of permanently 
with comparatively little trouble. The faithless are commended to 
a x>crusal of Chapter XJIL in this part. 



TTLCERATED 
LARYNX. 



Chronic Bronchitis. 
Here is a disease which often proves obstinate in the hands of those 
physicians who have had limited experience in its treatment, and 
those who so imperfectly comprehend its nature and- origin as to 
resort to little else than inhalants and expectorants. In this, as in 
diseases of the head and throat, the predisposing cause is apt to be 
overlooked. Bronchitis has it* root in an impure condition of the 
15* 



346 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

blood. Some imprudence or unavoidable exposure may have brought 
on the difficulty, but if it does not pass off readily with the cold 
which ushered it in, doubt should not exist for a moment that the 
blood of the patient is mainly at fault. When this disease first 
makes its appearance, it usually presents the acute form, and is 
attended with a dry cough, showing a preponderance of the posi- 
tive fluids ; but when it becomes chronic, excessive expectoration 
ensues, evincing an entire inversion of the disease, and a preponder- 
ance of the negative alkaline fluids. 

Unless checked or cured in season, bronchitis not unfrequently 
leads to diseases of the lungs. As will be observed in Fig. 89, 
the bronchial tubes are extensively distributed in the lungs for the 



Fisr. S9. 




WIND PIPE OR BRONCHUS AND BRONCHIAL TUBES, AND THEIR RAMIFICATIONS IN THE 
LUNGS, SHOWING THEIR INTIMATE RELATIONS WITH BLOOD- 
VESSELS PROM THE HEART. 

purpose of conducting the air to the vesicles, and when inflamma- 
tion exists in the former, it is very easy for it to extend to the latter. 



CHRONIC BRONCHITIS. 347 

'Every person has doubtless noticed how inflammation in the finger 
or hand, produced by soreness or accidental causes, will frequently 
communicate to the arm, and gradually extend toward the shoulder 
until the whole arm becomes affected. Now the bronchial tubes 
are as closely allied to the lungs as the hand to the arm, and the 
inflammation affecting one, will very soon affect both unless timely 
attended to. 

Bronchitis is often mistaken for consumption. It sometimes pre- 
sents all the symptoms of lung disease, so much so, that physicians 
not familiar with pulmonary diseases diagnose it incorrectly, much 
to the discomfort of the patient. There is one rule, however, which 
in most cases is reliable for non-professionals to go by. Invalids 
affected with bronchitis are apt to be easily discouraged, and at 
times depressed, while the consumptive is almost always hopeful. 
The hopefulness of consumptive patients is proverbial — they are 
seldom disposed to believe that they have the disease, while those 
affected with throat or bronchial affections are nearly always appre- 
hensive, hypochondriacal, and disposed to imagine themselves the 
victims of consumption. 

Persons affected with bronchitis should, as much as possible, avoid 
coughing. It is sometimes difficult to do so, but coughing tends to 
extend the disease. It is a kind of involuntary effort of nature to 
ease the irritation. All persons who have ever had an itching erup- 
tion of the skin, know how natural it is to scratch. People will 
scratch when they do not think of it. In this case it seems to be an 
involuntary movement to ease the irritation, but it generally makes 
it worse, and the humor and redness of the cuticle spreads over 
more surface in consequence of it. The same in coughing; the 
mucous membrane, instead of the surface skin, being irritable, 
and the seat of annoyance being unapproachable with the hands or 
fingers, a sudden discharge of air from the lungs is resorted to, the 
friction of which administers temporary relief, but as certainly 
increases the latitude of the disease. For this reason coughing 
should be suppressed so far as practicable, and bronchitis should not 
be neglected. It is consumption in embryo, and many times as 
obstinate to cure as a deeply-seated pulmonary disease. 

There is no one habit better calculated to bring on bronchitis and 
to perpetuate it than the habit of bundling up the throat. By this 
practice the throat is rendered tender and sensitive, and susceptible 



348 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

to colds on the slightest exposure. My personal experience in this 
connection may be interesting. When a boy I was constantly 
afflicted with this disease, and falling into the error that most people 
do who are troubled with the complaint, I never stepped out of 
doors without winding a great woolen comforter two or three times 
around my neck. One doctor after another was applied to — one 
dosing me with calomel ; another advising the application of gargles ; 
and another swabbing my throat with nitrate of silver, until I was 
nearly doctoml into my grave. As I became older, and began to 
exercise my own judgment, I resorted to simpler remedies of my own 
invention with partial relief, still continuing, however, the injurious 
practice of enveloping my neck in woolen ; but at the age of about 
fourteen I determined to make my neck tough like my face, and not 
only throw off the neck-dressing customary in cold weather, but 
also the cravat, and turn down my collar on a level with the collar- 
bone. At once the difficulty was improved, and, by the aid of 
medication to purify the blood, every vestige of the disease departed. 
I have so far back-slidden as to resume the necktie but in no 
case is it my habit to wear fur, tippet, or other extra clothing about 
the neck in winter. No one in the habit of bundling his throat can 
at all times avoid exposure when the neck is not guarded. The 
atmosphere indoors is sometimes as cold as tbat outside, and he who 
envelops his throat to his ears in furs, or woolen, on stepping out, 
must keep them on after returning, or a cold will be the result. 

If neckwraps are to be discarded in winter, of course it should 
be done gradually, and the neck should be bathed every morning in 
cold water. Exposed to the air, the neck becomes no more sensitive 
than the face or hands, and who with any frequency takes cold in 
the latter ? 

Let me not, however, be understood to say that the abandonment 
of neckwraps will effect a cure in cases of bronchitis. The expo- 
sure of the neck toughens it, and renders it less liable to attacks of 
cold, as previously remarked, and in this way victims of bronchitis 
may be benefited without other treatment. 

Cases of bleeding bronchitis sometimes present themselves in an 
extensive practice. In some of these their difficulty has been mis- 
taken for hemoptysis or bleeding of the lungs. A case of this kind 
some years ago visited me from New England, and it was generally 
supposed by his physician's that he was affected with hemorrhage of 



ASTHMA. 349 

the pulmonary organs, but I was convinced, after an examination, 
that the blood proceeded from a certain portion of the bronchia 
which I pointed out, and proceeding upon this diagnosis, I cured my 
patient after he had been given up to die by his doctors at home. 
The treatment of bronchitis, to be successful, must be about the 
same as in a case of consumption. 

Asthma. 

Asthma is a word on a Greek basis, meaning "I blow," because 
its distinctive symptom is difficult breathing, with a wheezing 
sound. It comes on in periodical, attacks. The most common time 
is about two o'clock in the morning, and the patient, if not aroused 
by premonitory symptoms of distress through chest and bowels, as 
many are, may be promptly aroused from slumber, and compelled 
to assume a sitting attitude, bolstered up by pillows in order to 
breath at all. The attack gets worse before it gets better, so that to 
one unaccustomed to it "it seems as though I would die," and the 
onlooker is even more liable to think so; but the " old-stager, " 
through long experience, comes to take his nightly turn at it quite 
philosophically, learning that its persistence is consistent with a 
long life and a very useful one. The man who built up the New 
York Times, George Jones, was a steady victim till he died at the 
age of seventy-nine, and Mr. Geo. T. Angell, the active though aged 
leader of the National and Massachusetts Societies for the Abolition 
of Cruelty to Animals, rinds consolation in the good ideas that come 
to him in the long and lone vigils of the night, when he has to sit 
up with himself . 

In moderate attacks the difficult respiration is the only important 
symptom, but in severe ones there may be cold extremities and 
sweating, even vomiting (often, however, induced by the medicines 
used). After two or three hours of such suffering the spasm relaxes, 
some mucus is expectorated, and exhaustion leads to a morning 
nap. For the rest of the twenty-four hours the asthmatic may be 
quite like other folks, not showing evidence of the disease; but 
many cases (about eighty per cent.) are attended with more or less 
constant bronchitis or catarrh, and others are dyspeptic. The dis- 
ease rarely stands distinctly alone, unrelated to other constitutional 
disorders. It is often founded on a gouty state, and may take turns 
or alternate with attacks of gout, or of its eczematous skin niani- 



350 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

festations (salt rheum). Acidity of the stomach, heartburn, and 
other forms of indigestion are frequently observed in asthmatics. 
Malaria and syphilis have also been found responsible for their 
torments. 

Asthma must„therefore, be generally due to blood humors, and we 
are reminded how almost impossible it is to write about a chronic 
disease of any kind without coming back to them as the basic cause; 
but in asthma the nervous system must also be taken into account, 
since in many respects it goes hand in hand with what are called 
neuroses, or derangements of nerve-action. In the actual spasmodic 
attack the nervous system plays a most important part, for the diffi- 
cult breathing is very directly due to spasm of the many muscles 
surrounding the bronchial tubes, partially closing them, and this is 
due to a stimulus to spasmodic action received from the nerves 
which control these muscles, so that an attack of asthma is, like 
a periodical attack of neuralgia or sciatica, due to spasm originating 
in the nerves, but why a spasm there?— because it is excited by prop- 
erties in the blood which are irritants to the nerves. Thus asthma 
becomes clearly a disease due to blood impurities and nervous de- 
rangements, and the best line of treatment for cure is clearly indi- 
cated, but before saying more of treatment, it will be well to consider 
the various immediate or external causes that take a hand in stimu- 
lating asthmatic attacks. 

Many cases suffer their regular attacks whatever their abode or 
manner of living, but often it is evident that the "touchy" nerves 
are set off and the spasm brought on by states of the atmosphere, 
floating dust, plant spores or pollen, the emanations from a feather 
bed or from animals. Various odors, as from cooking or perfumes, 
may act as an exciting cause, and so may errors in diet, bringing on 
indigestion, or merely mental storms, such as anger or fright. The 
exciting cause is not always discoverable or necessarily present, but 
the predisposing causes in the states of the blood and nervous system 
must be ever present to render such exciting causes operative. Many 
an asthmatic, though really uncured, may avoid the attacks if he 
can discover some particular climate suited to him, but what gives 
comfort to one may do the reverse for another, and not infrequently 
the smoky and dusty air of cities is less stimulating, and so more 
bearable than the bracing and clear out-of-town air. Extremes of 
temperature, and of dryness or moisture in the air, are known to 



CONSUMPTION. 351 

act as exciting causes; and variations in the electrical state of the 
atmosphere are very likely as influential as they are obscure. Some 
say that heredity can be traced in forty per cent, of asthmatics. 

The treatment is of two kinds, palliative and curative. When the 
attack comes on, it is natural to seek immediate relief, even by such 
nauseous doses as ipecac and lobelia, which help to relax spasm. 
Indian hemp and chloral are also employed for this purpose, but 
many get most prompt relief from breathing the stifling fumes of 
burning stramonium leaves and paper that has been soaked in nitre 
and dried. Strong coffee is a common resource, and even mustard 
plasters to the feet are enjoyed by some folks on such occasions. 
The curative treatment is such as is appropriate to removal of causes, 
to improve the state of the blood, and relieve the irritability of the 
nerves and their proneness to explosive action. This means the 
eradication of scrofula, gout, or malaria, if they be in the back- 
ground. Sometimes there is a nasal obstruction, such as polypus, 
to be removed. Probably the seeming incurability of some persons 
is due to the impossibility of repressing then- tendency to over- 
activity. They are full of business, nervous, active, energetic, and 
perpetually over-tax the nervous system, and keep it continually 
" unstrung," or below par, so that spasmodic asthma becomes even 
"natural " to them. 

The author has no recollection of ever failing in a case of asthma 
when the patient was under fifty years of age, while he has been 
successful in many on the shady side of fifty. The combination of 
electricity and medicine seems admirably adapted to the require- 
ments of asthmatic patients, and must almost invariably succeed. 

Consumption. 
We now come to an affection of the respiratory organs which is 
indeed serious. There is a terror in the name ! Published statistics 
show that one-fourth of all the deaths occurring in North America, 
France, and England, when no wide-spread epidemic prevails, are 
caused by diseases of the lungs. Make no account of infant 
mortality and the percentage is still larger. Is this mortality among 
consumptives inevitable? Is consumption, indeed, an incurable 
disease ? The results of enlightened new-school practice, it seems 
to me, prove otherwise. There is only a handful of doctors, com- 
paratively, on either continent, who know how to treat consumption. 



352 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING OEGANS. 



The "National Cyclopaedia of American Biography," published by 
James T. White & Co. in 1893, Vol. III., speaking of the author of 
"Plain Home Talk," said: "In fact, he has, during his entire profes- 
sional career, demonstrated the curability of consumption." 

Nearly all educated physicians are perfectly acquainted with the 
disease as it is locally presented. One of the best descriptions of 
tubercle in its incipient and progressive stages is given in the 
"American Cyclopaedia." "In the earliest stages the tubercular 
matter," remarks the writer, " presents itself in one of two forms: 
first as small, rounded, semi-transparent granulations, of a grayish 
color, varying in size from a A Fig. 90. B 

millet seed to a pea, dissemin- 
ated throughout the affected 
portion of the lungs ; in the 
progress of the disease a yellow 
spot is formed in the centre of 
the grayish matter, and this 
gradually increases until the 
whole becomes of a uniform 
color; second, the grayish mat- 
ter is infiltrated into the sub- 
stanceof the lungs in irregular 
masses; the yellowish points 
make their appearance in these 
masses, increase and coalesce, 
until the whole forms irregu- 
larly round bodies, varying in 
size from a pea to a hen's egg, 
more or less soft and friable, 
breaking down like cheese 
under the pressure of the fin- B, a pulmonary lobule, magnified in A, to 
gers. After a time these yel- j£™ terminal air vesicles 2 3, 4, 5, 6 and 
& J their relation to the bronchial tube 1. Phthi- 

low bodies undergo a new sis involves these air-sacs. 

transformation ; they begin to soften in the centre, and gradually 
become converted into a thick, yellowish fluid or semi-fluid matter. 
The abscesses containing this matter are termed vomicae; by degrees 
their contents find their way into the bronchial tubes, and are expec- 
torated, leaving ragged, irregular cavities in the lungs. These cavi- 
ties at first are rounded ; old cavities are irregular in their form, 




CONSUMPTION. 353 

presenting anfractuosities, and are commonly lined with a dense false 
membrane, while»their walls and the neighboring pulmonary tissue 
are infiltrated with tubercle. The mucous membrane lining the 
bronchial tubes which are connected with old cavities, is almost in- 
variably inflamed and thickened. In a certain number of cases the 
trachea presents ulcerations varying in size and number ; the larynx 
is more rarely affected, and here the ulcerations are mostly confined 
to the vocal chords and the epiglottis." 

The symptoms of consumption the doctors mainly agree upon. 
They are, briefly : wasting of the flesh ; more or less cough in most 
cases ; shortness of breath ; expectoration of matter which falls 
below the surface of water, or sinks to the bottom, and, in some 
cases, streaked with blood ; growing contraction of the chest ; quick 
pulse; dry heat in the palms of the hands and Boles of the feet; 
flushes at times on the cheeks ; gradually increasing debility; and, in 
advanced stages of the disease, hectic fever ; chills ; copious expec- 
toration, in some cases with, and in others without blood ; night 
sweats ; eyes sunken and glassy ; cheeks hollow ; lips compressed ; 
nose pinched in its appearance ; complexion bloodless when fever 
is absent ; and, in the last stages, great emaciation ; swelling of the 
extremities ; expectoration ash-colored and heavy ; relaxation of the 
bowels ; disturbed digestion ; and, in many cases, ulceration of the 
mouth and throat. Some cases pass through all of these stages with 
little or no cough, or pain in chest; but usually at the outset there is 
a hacking cough, which gradually increases as the disease progresses, 
both in severity and frequency ; and weakness, pain, and constriction 
of the chest experienced. 

What are tubercles? Without wasting time and space with an 
investigation of old-fogy theories as held by a majority of medical 
writers, I shall denominate them inverted eruptions ; or, in other 
words, they consist of the presence of humors in the delicate sub- 
stance of the lungs, and in the lining of the air-vesicles, instead of 
the external skin. This view is sustained by the experience of hun- 
dreds who have been my patients with tuberculous ditficulties, and 
whose pulmonary attacks dated with the disappearance of humors, 
or ulcers, from the cuticle. Once I had a case whose lung trouble 
commenced immediately after a suppurating ulcer on the knee had 
been healed up ; others were taken with consumptive symptoms 
when salt-rheum, with which they had been for years troubled, left 



354 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

the external skin; still others, whose lungs became affected imme- 
diately on the disappearance of an external humor from the chest. In 
these cases their family physicians had pronounced their diseases 
tuberculous consumption. Before effecting a cure, in many of them 
the cutaneous difficulty reappeared, and as soon as it did so the lungs 
were perceptibly relieved. 

Many persons, it is true, have tuberculous lungs who have never 
had a blotch or pimple on the skin. In these cases the humors in 
the blood seem predisposed to attack the mucous membrane rather 
than the cuticle. Many invalids think their blood pure, because they 
have ever been free from any external signs of humors. Such per- 
sons, if affected with blood-impurities, have the most to fear from 
tubercles and ulcers in the lungs, because of the persistency of the 
blood to deposit its impurities on the internal linings. 

In all cases where consumption is a family disease, it will be dis- 
covered on investigation that scrofulous impurities are the cause. 
What I mean by family disease, is, when any affection is prevalent in 
a family, and usually the cause of the death of its members. In 
some cases consumption sweeps off a whole family. In others, it 
picks them out here and there, a mother, a daughter, an uncle, a 
cousin, etc. ; while other members of the family may appear quite 
well, or be affected with other local difficulties quite different in their 
character ; but in both instances given, the physician should look 
for a scrofulous taint, and he will in a majority of cases find it. 

Treatment of Phronio Diseases of the Breathing Organs. — 
In all of these difficulties excepting asthma (and in many cases this 
affection may be included), the main thing to be accomplished is to 
purify, enrich, and build up the corpuscles of the blood. In all cases 
of catarrh, inflammations or ulcerations of the throat, bronchitis, 
and consumption, the blood, on examination, is found to be inflam- 
matory and impure, or else deficient of red corpuscles, while all the 
substantial constituents of the blood exhibit a disposition to decay. 
I am constantly treating, and with gratifying success, invalids affected 
with the diseases under consideration, as will be observed in some 
extracts of letters given in Chapter XIII. of this part, and the reme- 
dies I employ are such as are calculated to restore the blood to its 
wonted richness and strength, and impart nervous vitality to the 
wasted and enervated system. 

It is held by many that the cause of this disease is an abortive or 



consumption. 355 

perverted nutrition, tubercle being produced instead of true tissue, 
and that the faulty nutrition, which results in tubercle, is caused by 
a deficiency of oily substances ! On the strength of this prescrip- 
tion, Dr. Hughes Bennett, some years ago, introduced cod-liver oil as 
a remedy. If there is nothing better to sustain the correctness of 
this theory than the results of the remedy employed, no argument 
is required to exhibit its fallacy. Cod-liver oil has been extensively 
resorted to by the medical profession in tliis country ard Europe, for 
the last half of the nineteenth century, and with what success, the 
public is too well aware to make statistics necessary. That oleagin- 
ous food and remedies are good, provided the patient is not dyspeptic 
as well as consumptive, there can be no doubt, because they furnish 
nutriment to the failing adipose tissue. But that cod-liver oil leads 
all other oleaginous remedies, facts thus far fail to demonstrate. 

A good story is related by a Pennsylvania paper of a German, 
residing in York City, in that State, who recently, while suffering 
from pulmonary attack, seat for one of the village doctors. In a 
short time the doctor called on him, prescribed two bottles of cod- 
liver oil, and receiving his fee of $8, was told by the German, who 
disliked the size of the bill, that he need not come again. The Ger- 
man, who, by the by, had not heard the doctor's prescription very 
well, supposed he could get the oil and treat himself. The doctor 
saw no more of his patient for some time ; but one day, riding past 
the residence of the German, he was pleased to see him out in the 
garden digging lustily. The case seemed such a proof of the virtues 
of cod-liver that he stopped to make more particular inquiries about 
it. " You seem to be getting well," said he to the German. " Yaw, 
I ish well." "You took as much oil as I told you," queried the 
doctor. " Oh, yaw, I have used more as four gallons of the dog-liver 
oil." "The what?" queried the astonished doctor. " De dog-liver 
oil dat you said I shall take. I have killed most every fat little dog I 
could catch, and the dog-liver oil has cured me. It is a great medi- 
cine, that dog-liver oil!" The doctor had nothing to say, but rode 
quickly away, and noted in his memorandum-book that consumption 
might be as readily cured with dog-liver as cod-liver oil. He might 
also have added in his diary that lamp-oil is as good as cod-liver oil. 
While in New Bedford (from which port a great number of whaling 
vessels are annually fitted out) some years ago, I was informed by 
some of the captains (they are all captains there !) that immense 



356 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

quantities of pure sperm-oil were annually supplied to druggist* 
throughout the United States for the cod-liver oil trade ! There is a 
very simple process hy which any one may determine whether any 
sample of cod-liver oil is genuine or not, and for those who are dis- 
posed to make use of cod-liver oil I will give it. Add nitric acid to 
the oil. If it is pure, the color will be changed to a delicate carmino 
red. If it be impure, or adulterated with whale oil, or other .animaj 
fats, the color produced by adding the acid will be a brown or dirty 
red. In making the test, after adding the acid, agitate the mixture a 
little. 

Without resorting to any obnoxious oils like those just mentioned, 
any consumptive patient can obtain all the oleaginous matter neces- 
sary to supply the waste of his system, by eating those articles of 
wholesome food like roast and boiled beef, and boiled mutton, while 
his medication should be such as to deprive his blood of its impuri- 
ties. 

Dyspepsia is a very common companion of diseased lungs, and in 
such cases cod-liver oil, or even fat meats, are loathsome to the 
stomach. Dr. Pereira remarks that "fixed oil or fat is more diffi- 
cult of digestion and more obnoxious to the stomach than any other 
alimentary principle. V "Indeed," adds he, "in some more or less 
obvious or concealed form, I believe it will be found the offending 
ingredient in nine-tenths of the dishes which disturb weak stomachs." 
Here, then, cod-liver oil not only ceases to be a remedy, but becomes 
an injurious medicine. What are cod-liver oil doctors going t<? do in 
such an extremity ? 

I have a suggestion which may help them out a little. It is to 
apply the oil externally with the friction of the hand. Any whole 
some oil may be employed for this purpose, and the frequency of the 
application must depend upon the conditio^ of the patient. If he be 
greatly emaciated, every other day would not be too frequent, but 
the skin should be well frictionized with the naked hand, and the 
person making the application should be one in the full vigor of 
health. Any oily matter remaining after this application may be 
removed with a dry napkin. 

Fresh air is an indispensable aid in curing consumption. " It is 
wonderful," remarks Dr. Hall, " how afraid consumptive people are 
of fresh air, the very thing that would cure them, the only obstacle 
to a cure being that they do not get enough of it ; and yet what infi- 



CONSUMPTION. 357 

nite pains they take to avoid breathing it, especially if it is cold, 
when it is known that the colder the air is the purer it must be ; yet 
if people cannot get to a hot climate, they will make an artificial one, 
and imprison themselves for a whole winter in a warm room, with a 
temperature not varying ten degrees in six months ; all such people 
die, and yet we follow in their footsteps. If I were seriously ill of 
consumption, I would live out of doors day and night, except it was 
raining or mid- winter, then I wouldsleep in an unplastered log-house." 

It is quite common for the faculty to recommend consumptive 
invalids to go South, after they have made some good round fees out 
of them ! Probably this is because they want to get them off their 
list of patients. They get tired of hearing them say — "I'm no 
better, doctor." Cold air is just as good for consumptives as warm, 
provided it is dry. This is the important consideration. There is 
almost invariably an excess of mucus in lung diseases, which causes 
profuse expectoration. A dry and negative atmosphere excites ac- 
tive electrical radiation from the system, which carries off the inter- 
nal moisture, rendering the mucous membrane less relaxed and the 
mucous secretions less copious. I would sooner go to Maine than to 
Florida if I had tuberculous lungs, although I would advise patients 
to go where they please, only taking care to avoid damp localities. 

" A change of climate," a newspaper writer remarks, " has been 
commonly believed to be beneficial to the person suffering with con- 
sumption. Sir James Clark, of England, has, however, assailed 
the doctrine with considerable earnestness, and a French physician, 
M. Carriere, has written against it; but the most vigorous opponent 
of it is a Dr. Burgess, of Scotland. lie contends that climate has 
little or nothing to do with the cure of consumption, and that, if it 
had, the curative effects would be produced through the skin, and 
not through the lungs. That a warm climate is not of itself benefi- 
cial, he shows from the fact that the disease exists in all latitudes. 
In India or Africa, tropical climates, it is as frequent as in Europe 
and North America. At Malta, right in the heart of the genial 
Mediterranean, the army reports of England show that one-third of 
the deaths among the soldiers are by consumption. At Nice, a 
favorite resort of English invalids, especially those affected with 
lung complaints, more native born persons die of consumption than 
in any English town of equal population. In Geneva this disease is 
almost equally prevalent." 



358 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

Notwithstanding, however, the opinions of Clark, Carriere, and 
Burgess, the results of my observation lead me to decide that change 
of scene and climate is good for consumptives. The real mistake is 
to depend upon any particular temperature of climate for restoration. 
If the patient travel through various localities, his system will gather 
up those properties of which it is deficient. If he lack iron, breath- 
ing the air, and drinking the water of a section where iron is largely 
produced, will of course benefit him. If lime be deficient in his 
system, the air and water of limestone countries will prove useful. 
For almost all cases of pulmonary disease, breathing the atmosphere 
of a pine region administers to the diseased mucous membrane a 
balsamic property which is beneficial. In this particular Dr. Burgess 
is wrong. The lungs and skin both take in what the system hankers 
after. You have only to place a diseased body in a position to come 
in contact with what it wants, and the vis medicatrix naturce will 
take it in and use it, just as a dry sponge will absorb water. The 
South, however, is no better than many northern climates. Some 
parts of Wisconsin are said to have superior climate for lung diseases. 
I have been told that horses with heaves, soon recover when driven 
to the central part of that State. Minnesota, too, has been highly 
recommended, and I have known of some cases visiting that State 
with benefit. It may be put down as a pretty good rule that persons 
living on the sea-shore, affected with pulmonary difficulties, may be 
benefited by a visit to Wisconsin, or Minnesota, or to some mountains 
in the interior; while those who have been accustomed to an inland 
climate may visit the sea-shore to advantage; but the theory that 
tropical climates favor the recovery of pulmonary invalids, is entirely 
exploded. The soil of Key West is enriched with the bones of 
deceased consumptives. 

People of a pulmonary diathesis, living on the northern and 
western slopes of mountains, may sometimes avoid the development 
of the disease, and when it actually exists, may be invariably bene- 
fited by seeking southern and eastern slopes. A proper understand- 
ing of this proposition may be obtained from a perusal of the essay, 
" Sunshine," commencing on page 259. Inasmuch, however, as the 
subject introduced in this paragraph is a most important one, as 
verified by my own experience in the treatment of pulmonary dis- 
ease, and also by the observation of others, I wish to present here 
an extract of an interesting letter written in 1858, by the Rev, 



CONSUMPTION. 359 

Theodore Parker, to Dr. Bowditch. He had promised Dr. B., to 
write the result of some of his observations on consumption, and it 
was in fulfillment of this promise that the letter was written. The 
matter quoted may be found in the appendix to John Weiss' s Life and 
Correspondence of Theodore Parker. 

" I will begin," says Mr. Parker, "with the consumptive history 
of a single family which I will call the P.'s. 

"1st P. came to this country in 1634, and died 1690, aged eighty- 
one, leaving many sons and daughters. He had no consumption. 

" 2d P., his son, died aged eighty-six, leaving also many sons and 
daughters, and no consumption. 

"3d P., the son of the preceding, born 1664, at the family seat, 
in 1709 moved to another new settlement, and built him a great house 
which was thus situated : on the south-east slope* of a large range of 
hills, screened from the north and west winds, but open to the south 
and south-east; all the hills were heavily timbered, chiefly with oak, 
hickory, and pine. To the north-east, at the distance of some miles, 
hills of small elevation ; these also, thickly covered with woods, 
shut out the sharp cold wind from that quarter. 

" The ground about the house, above it and below, was then wet, 
springy, and spongy, in consequence of the great woods on the hills ; 
the culture and drainage have since remedied that evil. 

"But about fifty rods from the house, and perhaps sixty feet below 
it, there began a great fresh meadow of spongy peat, from two to 
fifteen feet in depth. This meadow, with its ramifications and spongy 
adjuncts, reaching up the hill-sides in various places, and filling tho 
wooded ravines, would contain, say, perhaps, two or three hundred 
acres. 

" It was always wet all the year through; its neighborhood damp 
and chilly, especially toward evening ; fogs could often be seen gather- 
ing there toward night of a clear day. 

"P. died at the age of eighty-two, with no sign of consumption \i\ 
him, or his family, or their paternal or maternal ancestors. 

"4th P., son of the preceding, was born before his father removed 

to L ; but attended him in that removal, and died at the age of 

, leaving many sons and daughters, still with no signs of con- 
sumption. He inherited his father's house, and his children were 
born in or near it. 

* Mark this — south-east slope. 



360 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

" 5th P., son of the preceding, and in the same house, married a 
Miss S., who was descended from a similar family, which had lived 
for a hundred or a hundred and fifty years in a similar situation, a 
mile and a half off, where the house stood on the north-west side of a 
hill* and near a similar range of wet, spongy meadow, though less 
in deptli and extent. Hitherto consumption had appeared in neither 
the P.'s nor the S.'s. 

"P. had eleven children, and himself died a hale old man at 
seventy-seven ; hut his wife had passed away from him by consump- 
tion at about the age of sixty. Of his children, eight died of con- 
sumption, two of them between sixteen and nineteen ; the rest were 
married, and attained various ages from twenty-five to forty-nine. 
Only two of his children are now living : one sixty, with no sign of 
pulmonary disease ; the other forty-eight, I hope equally free from 
the family taint. 

"Two of the grandchildren of P. have also died of consumption. 
One son of P. moved from the family homestead, and settled on the 
piece of wet, spongy land, exposed to the bleakest west, north, and 
north-east winds. 

u He had six children, all of whom died of consumption between 
twenty and twenty-four. The parents soon followed, dying of a 
broken heart. 

" Early branches of the P. family who were settled in dry and 
sound localities, remain to this day, I think, free from that malady. 

" Another large family, settled in the neighborhood of the same 
great meadow for, perhaps, the same length of time, has been con- 
sumptive for two generations, though many of them have removed 
to better situations, or were even born therein. 

" The S. family in the generation I spoke of consisted of ten sons 
and two daughters. 

" Both daughters died of consumption, but I think none of the 
sons, though the daughters of the sons and several of their male 
children who grew up temperate did. One of the daughters married 
P. ; the other one married a strong, hearty man of enormous stature, 
with no tendency to any specific disease. She had four sons, one 
intemperate, who is now fifty-five years old and well; three 
temperate, all settled in healthy places, and at wholesome business, 
and all died of consumption between twenty and twenty-five. 
* Mark this — north-west slope. 



CONSUMPTION. 361 

"Hence," continues Mr. Parker, "I draw carefully these infer- 
ences : — 

" 1st. That the healthiest of families, living in such a situation as 
I have described, generation after generation, acquire the consump- 
tive disposition, and so die thereof.* 

"2d. That it sometimes requires several generations to attain this 
result. 

" 3d. That members of the family born with this consumptive dis- 
position often perish thereby, though they live and are even born in 
healthy localities. 

"4th. Intemperate habits (when the man drinks a pure, though 
coarse and fiery liquor, like New England rum) tend to check the 
consumptive tendency, though the drunkard who himself escapes its 
consequences, may transmit the fatal seed to his children. 

u In addition to what I have already mentioned, here are two 
striking cases: — 

" 1. I know a consumptive family living in a situation like that I 
have mentioned, for perhaps the same length of time, who had four 
sons. Two of them were often drunk, and always intemperate, one 
of them as long as I can remember ; both consumptive in early life, 
but now both hearty men from sixty to seventy. The two others 
were temperate, one drinking moderately, the other but occasionally. 
They both died of consumption, the oldest not over forty-five. 

" 2. Another consumptive family in such a situation as has been 
already described, had many sons and several daughters. The 
daughters were all temperate, married, settled elsewhere, had chil- 
dren, died of consumption, bequeathing it also to their posterity. 
But five of the sons whom I knew were drunkards, some of the 
extrernest description ; they all had the consumptive build, and in 
early life showed signs of the disease, but none of them died of it ; 
some of them are still burning in rum. There was one brother 
temperate, a farmer living in the healthiest situation. But I was 
told he died some years ago of consumption." 

This letter of Mr. Parker's illustrates two facts, namely : the value 
of a healthful location, and the benefits which may be derived in 
some cases from the use of alcoholic stimulants. As the reader will 

* There is no evidence given in Mr. Parker's letter, of consumption having been pro- 
duced in any situation described, excepting the ones he speaks of as located on the 
•^north-west or north-east side of a kilL" 
16 



362 CHRONIC DISEASES 'OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

observe, Mr. Parker evidently intended to call attention to the effects 
of that peat meadow ; but by analyzing the facts as presented, it 

will be observed that the P family, so long as they remained on 

the south-eastern slope, were healthy, but when one of them camo 
to marry into another family on t!:e north-western slope and reside 
there, consumption presented itself. The presence of this damp 
meadow was undoubtedly prejudicial to both slopes, but it will 
readily be perceived how, with surroundings no more prejudicial to 
one slope than the other, consumption was not developed on the 
south-eastern, but was produced on the north-western slope. So 
far as the influence of liquor is concerned in preventing the develop- 
ment of pulmonary disease, as Mr. P was personally a total 

abstainer and a zealous advocate of temperance reform, what is said 
about the effects of New England rum upon families of a consump- 
tive tendency, cannot be attributed to any personal predilections 
in favor of rum drinking. The precise way in which alcoholic 
stimulus affects favorably a person of scrofulous or consumptive 
tendency, is explained in what I have presented on Vinous and 
Distilled Liquors commencing near the close of page 81. Many 
physicians, however, depend too greatly upon this treatment. I have 
had many consumptive invalids come to me, who, without a moment 
to spare in the adoption of some thorough and skillful treatment, 
were mainly depending upon Bourbon whiskey and cream, which 
had been recommended by their physicians. In some cases they 
were absolutely using nothing else! 

Many consumptive invalids are especially alarmed when hemor- 
rhage occurs. This fear is not well-founded. Men often survive even 
the severest accidents to the lungs, and live to a good old age. The 
old Indian chief, O'Brien Skadogh, received, during the Revolutionary 
war, a bayonet wound in the right lung while lighting under General 
La Fayette. Yet it is said that he was a strong, erect, and lofty 
man of 104 years ! General Shields received a severe wound in one 
of his lungs in the Mexican war, and entirely recovered. During the 
great rebellion, cases came tinder my own observation, where soldiers 
were absolutely shot through the lungs, and still lived. If such 
lacerations can be survived when nature is attacked without warn- 
ing, there is certainly every chance to cure bleeding lungs, gradually 
induced by disease, when nature is watching the affected parts and 
assisting every good remedy employed for mending a breach. 



CONSUMPTION. 



363 



It is not a little curious that the pulmonary artery and vein, when 
approached by tubercles, contract and sometimes fill up with a 
fibrous substance, so as to prevent or stop hemorrhage. But when 
the bayonet, the sword, or the bullet suddenly pierces any part of the 
lungs, nature for the moment is overpowered, and it is almost surpris- 
ing how she ever recovers herself in season to heal the wounded 
part. When, therefore, nature exhibits such miraculous power to 
save lacerated lungs, let not the consumptive despond because, per- 
chance, he raises blood. My success, and that of many others who 
have given much attention to affections of the lungs, has established 
the possibility of curing pulmonary hemorrhage, whether induced by 
tubercle or suppressed menstruation. 

The entire destruction of one lung by tubercles or ulceration need 
not excite serious apprehension, if the invalid is so situated as to be 
able to avail himself of superior medical skill. Persons often live to 
a good old age with 



only one lung. I 
have observed in 
cases of this kind 
which I have treat- 
ed, that, after the 
progress of the dis- 
ease lias been stop- 
ped and the tuber- 
cles of the remaining 
lung removed, the 
latter gradually ex- 
pands and sometimes 
almost fills the cav- 
ity created by the 
one which has 
caved or dried 
I have now in 
mind one case 
particular, 
tive of tin 



Fig. 91. 



de- 

up. 

my 

in 

illustra- 
remark : a lad v. 




LUNGS AND HEART. 



hose case was given up as hopeless by 
a score or more of physicians, but who has been kindly spared to 
her husband and children through the instrumentality of my treat- 
ment. In her case the left lung had been entirely consumed, and the 



364 CHROMIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

destructive disease had made considerable inroad on her right lung. 
The last examination which I had the pleasure of making showed 
that the right lung had so expanded as to fill nearly one-half the 
cavity occasioned by the destruction of the left. The reason of this 
is obvious. The right lung having to perform the same amount of 
labor intended for two, the air-vesicles by degrees enlarged, and 
with their expansion the lobes extended their increased dimensions 
into the vacant chamber of the left chest. 

Accounts are given in the records of some of the French hospitals, 
of old people who have died of other than pulmonary diseases, and 
whose chests on being opened, exhibited the fact that they had lived 
many years with only one lung. Healed cavities have also been 
found in the lungs of such subjects, showing that either nature or 
the physician had cured them of consumption. President Jeremiah 
Day, of Yale College, during his early life was interrupted in his 
studies by lung disease and alarming pulmonary hemorrhage, but he 
lived to the age of 95 years ! " An autopsy revealed the existence 
of cicatrices or scars of former ulcers in the upper part of both 
lungs, showing that extensive consumptive disease had existed more 
than sixty years before, the recovery from which had been com- 
plete." "Here, then," says Dr. Hubbard, in a paper read before the 
annual convention of the Connecticut Medical Society, "was all that 
remained to mark the beginning, progress, and cure of a case 
of tubercular consumption, occupying twelve years in its period of 
activity, and with its incipient stage dating back more than three- 
quarters of a century. A legible record, surpassing in interest and 
importance to the human race those of the slabs of Nineveh, or 
the Runic inscriptions." 

It will be observed that President Day was affected with ulcers in 
both lungs. Many times only the right lung is attacked. When this 
is the case a cure is comparatively easy, because the right one has 
three lobes as exhibited in Fig. 89. One of these may be obliter- 
ated by disease without serious harm to the invalid, while the loss of 
one of the left lobes can hardly be afforded. 

Cheerfulness and freedom from mental excitement are essential to 
the recovery of a consumptive patient. This fact becomes apparent 
when the philosophy of respiration is explained. It is held by all 
medical writers whose books I have read, that respiration is wholly 
produced by the upward and downward motion of the diaphragm 



CONSUMPTION. 365 

which divides the stomach from the lungs. This is only true in 
part. Besides the movements of the diaphragm, I am convinced by 
experiments, that the air-vesicles, permeated as they are by minute 
nerves, have a contractive and expansive power in themselves, so that 
when the diaphragm is in any way disabled or prevented from per* 
forming its functions freely, the lungs can in a measure supply them- 
selves with air. The unprofessional reader must understand that the 
lungs are not expanded by the air entering into them. The dia- 
phragm falls and the air-vesicles are opened by the same electric 
force which is employed by the brain in producing the pulsations of 
the heart. A vacuum created, and the air rushes in — this is the act 
of inhaling. The diaphragm contracted and drawn up, and Hlio 
vesicles closed by the electric force acting on the nerves ramifying 
through these organs, and the air is expelled — this is exhaling. 

"Were the human system wholly dependent upon the upward and 
downward movement of the diaphragm for respiration, women who 
compress their chests with corsets, and other close-fitting garments, 
would be nnable to breathe at all. It is true that such foolish 
people breathe but little, and that the air penetrates only the upper 
portion of the lungs. But what little air they do inhale is chiefly 
obtained by the expansion of the air vesicles, nearly or quite inde- 
pendent of the movements of the diaphragm, which becomes literally 
paralyzed. The action of the nervo-electric forces on the nerves 
ramifying through the respiratory organs, being the motive power 
which keeps them in motion, and the brain being the reservoir from 
which the nervo-electric forces are derived, the reader can readily 
perceive how necessary is tranquillity of mind for the promotion of 
convalescence in the consumptive, and also how pulmonary diffi- 
culties may be induced by grief and trouble. 

The possibility of the development of consumption out of nervous 
prostration, through a partial paralysis of the nerves which control 
the nutrition of the lung- tissue is explained in Chapter XII., on 
Nervous Diseases. Some writers have even gone so far as to claim 
that consumption is invariably of such origin, and that there is 
never a chance for microbes to settle and tubercles to develop until 
the failure of nutrition has prepared the soil for these seeds of tuber- 
culosis. This idea is favored by the success of electricity or elec- 
trical medication in many cases. Vital electricity is undoubtedly 
more intense than any which can be artificially produced ; but as 



%Q6 CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE BREATHING ORGANS. 

quantity can be obtained to any desirable extent by various electrical 
contrivances, it often surpasses intensity in effectiveness. 

In all cases of affection of the lungs the blood must be properly 
attended to. As intimated in various portions of this essay, almost 
all the diseases of these organs arise from impurities of the vascular 
fluids. It is for this reason that inhalants should not be depended 
upon to the exclusion of other remedies. There are physicians who 
treat pulmonary diseases exclusively with remedies to be inhaled. 
Their success is in no instance permanent, excepting in those cases 
wherein the affection had been induced by simply an inflammatory 
condition of the blood. The inflammation subsiding, and the irri- 
tated mucous membrane healed by the inhalants, a cure in this way 
may have been possible. The value of inhalants is not for a moment 
to be questioned. They must in nearly all cases be employed to 
some extent, but to rely upon them exclusively is almost as absurd 
as to stake the life of the patient upon the success of whiskey and 
cream. What I have said, commencing on page 313, on the subject 
of inhalation, may be interesting to the consumptive reader. 

"With the advancement which has been made by a few independent 
medical men in the treatment of consumption, no one suffering with 
this disease should for a moment entertain the idea that his or her 
case is hopeless. The popular systems of drugging have of course 
proved futile, and because you have failed to receive relief at the 
hands of your family physician, or from the use of some popular 
panacea, you may settle down into the belief that your disease is 
beyond the reach of human skill. From this despondency, rally, I 
pray you. Waste no time in uncertain experiments, but place your 
case in the hands of some physician who devotes his exclusive 
attention to mhe treatment of chronic diseases. Many years ago in 
northern Yermont a well-known merchant was stretched upon a bed 
in the last stages of consumption, as was confidently supposed. The 
best physicians of his county had given him up, and celebrated 
medical skill of Montreal had been resorted to, but the wise men of 
the profession shook their heads. It was expected that he could not 
survive many days. In this hour of gloom, his devoted wife deter- 
mining to make one more effort, sat down by the bedside of the sick 
man, and in a letter to the author presented the symptoms. Guided 
simply by this presentation of the case, I prepared and forwarded 
medicines which fortunately arrived in time. Immediately on taking 



consumption. 367 

them, his strength revived, and so rapidly, that it was feared the 
treatment consisted of some strange and powerful stimulant. It was 
gravely predicted by the doctors ami neighbors, that a fatal reaction 
would soon follow. I was even blamed for the presumption of hold- 
ing out any encouragement of cure in this hopeless case ; but, to the 
happy disappointment of his friends, he steadily gained until he was 
restored to the family circle, his business avocations, and his former 
health. Although I had the pleasure of meeting this gentleman 
after his recovery, I have been instrumental in curing hundreds that 
I have never seen ; one case, in the same section of country as the 
above, of hemorrhage of the lungs, which had also been pronounced 
hopeless by resident physicians. The case, indeed, was regarded as 
so far beyond the reach of medicine or other means of cure, that at 
the time he consulted me the doctors had ceased to prescribe ; and 
he was simply keeping up on stimulants. 

In recent years much has been said of the Consumption Bacilli, 
discovered by the German physician, Dr. Koch. But after pro- 
tracted discussion it has been pretty generally conceded that the 
bacilli are an incident to the disease, rather than in any way a 
cause. In some cases they are not found. If the blood is in a good 
condition tubercle cannot locate in the lungs, and without the tuber- 
cle there can be no bacilli. The latter may have something to do 
with communicating the disease to a healthy person, but care of 
the sputa by burning it as soon as it is raised will prevent the 
communicabihty of the malady. 

In treating consumption, whatever is done to meet the acute 
symptoms, the main thing to be aimed at is the blood. Use all the 
adjunctive means which observation and experience approve, but do 
not neglect the important work of restoring strength and purity to 
that fluid which circulates through all parts of the system, and im- 
parts to every organ the atoms it needs for preserving its wholeness 
and integrity. Auxiliary remedies may better be dispensed with 
than this one for the regeneration of the blood ; but the wise and 
experienced physician, while he works with the main lever, will 
employ as many assisting ones as can be usefully adopted. In con- 
clusion let me urge all who have perused the foregoing essays on 
diseases of the breathing organs, to turn to Chapter XIII., in this 
part, and read it attentively. 




CHAPTER III. 

CHRONIC DISEASES OF THE LIVER, STOMACH, AND 
BOWELS. 

( LL of the organs named in the heading of thia 
chapter are in some way accessory to the function 
of digestion. Let us examine, then, the process 
which food goes through to nourish and support 
animal life. First, it is taken into the mouth, and 
is, or should be, thoroughly mixed with the saliva, by proper 
mastication. This (the saliva) is electrically a negative, be- 
cause an alkaline fluid. Descending the oesophagus, or canal 
leading to the stomach, it is precipitated into the gastric 
juices of the stomach, which are electrically a positive, be- 
cause an acid fluid. Here, under the laws of electrical 
attraction, the gastric or positive fluid takes hold in earnest in pene- 
trating and dissolving the particles of matter already permeated by 
the saliva or negative fluid. This process is further stimulated by 
the presence of nervous or electrical forces sent from the brain, 
through the pneumo-gastric nerves, which keep up a constant tele- 
graphic communication between the brain and the stomach. (See 
page 28.) By the time the digestible portions of the food become 
dissolved, and well saturated with the gastric or positive fluid, it is 
next carried into the lower stomach, or duodenum. Here it meets 
with two fluids : one, the bile, sent by the liver through the gall-blad- 
der and its duct ; and the other, the pancreatic fluids furnished by 
the pancreas or sweetbread. Now the latter, like the saliva is 
strongly alkaline, or negative, and, inasmuch as that portion of the 
food which has been reduced to the finest pulp contains the greatest 
quantity of gastric or positive fluid, a combination at once takes 
place between them. Then the bile is slightly alkaline, or negative, 
while the indigestible portions of the food are only slightly saturated 
with the gastric or positive fluid, consequently these very naturally 



DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 369 



coalesce under the laws 
of chemical or electrical 
attraction Fig. 92 will 
assist in giving a proper 
understanding of this ex- 
planation. Thus we see 
how the nutritious mat- 
ter is separated from the 
innutritious or useless. 
Under the laws of electro- 
chemical attraction, mar- 
riages take place between 
inanimate as well as be- 
tween animate bodies. 
The pancreatic fluids mar- 
ry the nutritious, and the 
bile marries the innutri- 
tious. The former com- 
bination is sucked up by 
the absorbents to nourish 
the system, while the lat- 
ter passes along down into 
the colon, where there is 
a sort of rendezvous for 
fecal matter. How well 
adapted the bile is to act 
as a consort must be seen 
when it is remembered 
that it is a soapy kind of 
fluid, well calculated to lu 
bricate the fasces and make 
them pass easily through 
the intestines. The bile, 
too, gives the yellow r color 
to the fecal discharges. 

I have never seen in any 

medical work, nor have I 

ever heard, a philosophical 

description of the process 

16* 



Fig. 92. 




DIGESTIVE MACHINERY. 

This figure gives in a diagramatic way a good 
idea of the digestive organs, a, mouth: b, 
tongue; h, oesophagus; i, stomach; o, gall- 
bladder; m, duodenum; n, bile-duct orifice; 
q, small intestines; p, pancreas; s, ileo-ccecal 
valve where small intestine joins large; u, 
ascending colon; v, transverse colon; x, de- 
scending colon; y, flexure of colon; z, rectum. 



370 DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

of digestion, and the separation of nutritious from innutritious 
matter. I presume the theory I have given will be new to all my 
readers, professional as well as non-professional; but when the 
chemical constituents of the bile and the pancreatic fluids are taken 
into consideration, together with those of the saliva and gastric 
juices, does it not perfectly accord with common sense? If *o. and 
I think it does, it is eminently proper that the pages of this book 
should give birth to it, for the author of Medical Common Sense 
desires to make them the disseminators of original views, bearing 
the impress of self-evident truth. 

Chronic Affections of the Liver. 

The Iwer is the largest organ in the body, and is subject to a 
variety of chronic as well as acute disorders. The office of the liver 
is to suck up from the l#ood those properties which constitute bile, 
and to send them to the duodenum to assist digestion, as explained in 
the foregoing essay, and then to the intestines to lubricate and soften 
the excrementitious matters, and conduct them through the serpen- 
tine intestinal canal. 

The most common derangement to which the liver is subject is 
Torpidity. This is the result of nervous disturbances. Either the 
nervous forces are unequally distributed among the organs, or there 
is an insufficient supply of nervous vitality in the system. In either 
case, the liver lacks nervous stimulus, and the organ may be said to 
be partially paralyzed. Grief, fright, dissipation, or some bad habit, 
may produce an unequal distribution of the nervous forces among 
the different organs of the system. I often meet with cases wherein 
there is too great an expenditure of nervous force upon the heart, 
producing too rapid pulsations or palpitation, while the liver is almost 
deprived of it. Other organs may sometimes receive an excess at 
the expense of the liver. 

When nervous debility exists, or when the patient is unconscious 
of any such debility, and his system does not contain its ordinary 
supply of nervous vitality, with which to keep the various vifoal 
organs active, Nature, ever disposed to avoid greater evils, is apt to 
withdraw a portion of the nervous stimuli from the liver. Why? 
Because no one of the other vital organs can be slighted with the 
same impunity. Partially deprive the heart of the nervous forces, and 



CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE LIVER. 371 

Its pulsations would become so feeble that death would soon ensue. 
Partially deprive the diaphragm and lungs of them, and respiration 
would become difficult. The patient would gradually die of suffoca- 
tion. Partially deprive the kidneys of them, and the secretions of 
the urine wou 7 J bs retarded, speedily followed with dropsy or some- 
thing worse. Digestion of food in the stomach mnst go on, however 
imperfect, or the system wastes for the want of nourishment, and 
nervous force must be supplied in abundance to stimulate the digest- 
ive process. In brief, the partial withdrawal of the nervous or elec- 
trical forces from any other vital organ than the liver would be 
followed with more dangerous consequences. Still, good old dame 
Nature, the common-sense nurse, will not deprive *the liver of its due 
share of nervous stimuli, without giving notice at the same time to 
the invalid. She paints his face yellow with the bile which the liver 
fails to secrete from the blood. She constipates his bowels, and in 
6ome cases, to urge him on to give proper attention to himself, afflicts 
him with a painful and annoying difficulty in the rectum and anus 
called piles. While thus urging the invalid to give her means 
whereby to relieve the liver, she often gets insulted with a dose of 
calomel. She "asks for bread and gets a stone." But she gra- 
ciously pockets the insult, knowing that it is the result of ignorance, 
and applies the nervous force, generated by the contact of the mer- 
curial substance with the gastric juice or acid of the stomach, to the 
stimulation of the liver. The good old dame is then pestered to 
know how to get rid of the mercury, and, in some cases, allows it to 
attack some muscle, bone, or nerve, in order that the pain resulting 
therefrom may drive the victim to efforts to get rid of it. 

Although torpid livers are found almost everywhere, they are more 
common in the South and newly-settled West than in any other local- 
ities in this country. I scarcely ever examine an invalid from the 
South, who has not a dead liver. My theory for this is, that in trop- 
ical latitudes, in consequence of the expansion of the air by heat, 
Jess oxygen by weight is inhaled, and that consequently there is not 
ro much oxygen or electricity imparted to the system, through the 
medium of the lungs, as in colder climates, while, at the same time, 
the blood is less decarbonized, leaving more for the liver to do. 
Under such a climatic influence the system is apt to become deficient 
in nervous vitality, and overloaded with carbon, unless the habits of 
the people are good. 



572 DISEASES OF LITER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

Proper attention to diet and other habits would, in a majority of 
cases, avert such a tendency ; but our friends in hot climates like 
living up to the northern epicurean standard, and not unfrequently 
absolutely exceed it. Thus an excess of work is given to the liver 
by the use of too much carbonaceous food, and less nervous force is 
supplied by respiration to enable it to perforin the labor. While, in 
the extreme north, barbarous epicures may glut their stomachs with 
the blubbers and skins of whales, putrid whales' tails, decayed seals, 
the entrails of the rypeau, mixed with fresh train-oils, etc., without 
serious consequences, those of southern latitudes should eat but little 
animal food, and particularly avoid rich gravies, and other aliment3 
which fill the system with carbon. " Greasy matters," says a popu- 
lar writer, " though composed mostly of waste, useless, and excre- 
mentitious materials, which have accumulated in the cellular reposi- 
tory because the process of alimentation was increased beyond that 
of elimination, are not strictly poisonous. They doubtless contain a 
very small quantity, yet very impure quality, of substances converti- 
ble into nutriment. But as food they are to be regarded as vext to 
venous Mood in grossness and impurity." Considering, then, that the 
liver has to filter out a great share of this impure and gross matter, it 
can be readily seen why, at least, those living in climates predisposing 
them to inactive livers, should not eat such food. Instead of being 
more careless in their diet, the inhabitants of warm countries should 
be much more careful than those living in colder climates, so that, by 
preserving a healthy liver, this organ may do part of the work usually 
given to the lungs. Where the air is expanded by heat, and conse- 
quently less oxygen by weight inhaled at each inspiration, there is 
need for this. In unborn infants, who are entirely shut out from the 
oxygen of the air, the liver has to do the work of the lungs in decar- 
bonizing the blood, but nature provides for this necessity by making 
the liver larger than all the internal viscera, and still larger in propor- 
tion in utero life. After birth, when the lungs begin to perform 
their functions, this relative disproportion is modified, and it then 
behooves the more developed being to keep both organs in a healthful 
state. 

People living under a southern sun can do this with care and the 
exercise of a little self-denial. Their food should be nutritious rather 
than stimulating. Gluttony and dissipation above all things should 
be rigidly avoided. Remember that the golden rays of the sun may 



CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE LIYEB. 



373 



Fig. 93. 




THE ETHIOPIAN. 



paint the complexion brown, while every organ is faithfully perform- 
ing its functions, but that when old dame Nature brings in a tint of 
yellow, the liver has failed in the 
performance of its duty. 

"What I have just said regarding the 
influence of the atmosphere of the 
tropics on the liver, is applicable to 
the Caucasian rather than to the Ethi- 
opian race. The Creator has done all 
things well, and those who were es- 
pecially made to breathe the scorched 
air of tropical climes have broader 
nostrils and greater depth and breadth 
©f the respiratory apparatus (see fig. 
93), so that they may inhale a greater 
quantity ot the heat-expanded atmosphere at each inspiration than 
can the Caucasian (see Hg. 94), with his compressed nostrils and less 
capacious throat and lungs. The liver, too, of the negro, is propor- 
tionately larger, while his nervous system does not possess that acute 
sensitiveness and liability to disorder which characterizes the finely 
organized nervous structure of the white man. Nor does he seem to 
require so much nervous stimulus to carry on his sluggish physical 
machinery. Our sable brother is almost a stranger to nervous dis- 
eases. He sometimes has liver derangements arising from vascular 
impurities, but even then he gets off with comparatively little suffer- 
ing, for the reason that his excretory pores are as much more open 
than those of his white neighbor as the texture of his skin is coarser. 
Hence the odorous effluvia which proverbially emanate from the 
skin of the unadulterated negro. In perfect health, the excretions of 
Lis skin greatly relieve the depurating labors of his liver, and when 
liepatic difficulties do overtake him, the amount of the excretions is 
considerably increased, unless the pores are simultaneously closed. 

The physical organization of the Ethiopian also better enables him 
to withstand the deleterious influences of bad air in malarious dis- 
tricts. It has been found that the hanging of wet blankets or sheets 
at the open windows in malarious regions, greatly purifies the air 
which enters an apartment. This is because water is a disinfectant, 
rendered so by its disposition to take up poisonous gases. "Well, 
now, the negro has as good protectors as wet blankets or sheets at 



374 DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 




THE CAUCASIAN. 



his mouth and nasal passages. The red lining of the lips and nostrils 
in health is always moist, as all know. Hence the large lips and nostrils 
Fig. 94. with which he is provided, Avith 

their large surfaces of the moist 
red lining or mucous membrane, 
serve as disinfectant protectors, 
such as the Caucasian, with his thin 
lips and compressed nostrils, does 
not possess. And the rule may Le 
put down as invariable, that those 
persons, black or white, who have 
the thickest and widest lips, and 
the largest and broadest nostrils 
can the best endure the depressing 
atmosphere of malarious tropics. 
Disturbances in the purity and tonicity of the air, are what pre- 
dispose the people of new countries to torpid livers. The miasmatic 
emanations from the soil of a country recently cleared of its timber 
and shrubbery, greatly adulterate the atmosphere, and thereby in- 
duce those nervous disturbances which. are so apt to leave the liver 
without sufficient nervous stimuli. Our Western friends are famous 
for torpid livers. Nearly all of them are enveloped in sallow skins; 
and in those presenting themselves to me for medical examination, 
I usually find the liver seriously involved, whatever other complica- 
tions may exist. Even the livers of beef cattle driven here from 
those regions, and slaughtered for our market, are seldom free from 
disease. 

It may not be possible, therefore, for the pioneers of new coun- 
tries to entirely escape hepatic or liver complaints ; but it is never- 
theless true that such difficulties are more prevalent among them 
than would be the case if proper regard were paid to hygienic laws. 
Western farmers are proverbially great pork-eaters, and pork-eating 
overloads the blood with carbon, and gives the liver too much work 
to do. Nor are farmers alone addicted to the use of filthy swine's 
flesh. The denizens of Western cities glut their stomachs with spare- 
ribs and sausages. The farmers usually carry more healthy counte- 
nances than citizens, because their physical exercises are better cal- 
culated to dispose of the excess of waste and impure matter by per- 
spiration. There is another reason why citizens wear a more sallow 



CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE LIVER. 375 

akin than the industrious farmer, which is, the vice m all cities of 
turning night into day, while farming communities, exhausted with 
physical lahor, retire early. A Western citizen supposes he can ex- 
pose himself to night air with no greater injury than the indweller 
of the old Eastern cities receives who does the same foolish thing. 
This is an error. Miasmatic vapors, as before remarked, are more 
excessive in new cities, and at night-time they mingle more freely 
witli the lower strata of air. Then, too, vegetation which, during 
the day, takes up carbon and gives off oxygen, reverses this process 
at night, so that carbonic gases are its nocturnal exhalations. 

Here, then, we see why our "Western neighbors can not imitate the 
vices of our Eastern metropolitans without suffering a severer penalty 
by bringing upon themselves greater derangements of the nervous 
harmony and biliary system. To avoid these derangements they 
should not indulge, excessively, in carbonaceous food and drink ; 
they should retire early, select for sleeping-rooms those apartments 
most elevated from the ground, in order to get beyond the miasmatic 
gases which hover near the earth's surface at night-time ; open the 
windows for ventilation, and if the sleeping-room be near the ground, 
to escape the poisonous vapors, hang wet curtains before the windows, 
for water, as before remarked, is an excellent disinfectant, and readily 
takes up deleterious gases. In the most unhealthy localities it ia 
better to ventilate sleeping apartments by this process than to breathe, 
over and over again, the air which has been poisoned by the exhala- 
tions from the hings and skin. 

Persons of jedentary habits in all countries, can see from the 
preceding suggestions, the necessity of breathing pure air and observ- 
ing correct dietetic rules if they would preserve healthy livers and a 
skin free from the sallow tint of bile. 

Probably the ubiquitous patent medicine almanacs and advertise- 
ments are in the main responsible for the fact that the liver is 
blamed for the greatest number of human ills. A large class of 
chronic complaints rind some satisfaction in the ready-made diag- 
nosis '-Oh! my liver is out of order." and, though the doctors are 
inclined to laugh at the diagnosis, the chances are that the people 
are more than half' right. "When we consider the size and the 
numerous important functions of the liver, and its close relations 
with all the vital organs, it would seem that if anything goes wrong 
with any or them the liver must get "out of order" too. If it be 



376 DISEASES OF LIVEK, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

not deserving of all that is charged to its account, yet it is generally- 
one of the delinquents ; but in justice be it said, it is less the fault 
of the liver than of the man who carries it, and who puts impossible 
tasks upon it. In fact the liver does nobly, and compensates for 
much that other organs fail to do. It not only supplies bile to take 
part in the intestinal digestive processes, but it stands as a filter 
between the absorbent veins of the intestines and the general blood 

Fig. 95. 

t 8 




The liver, under side, showing 1, 2, 3, right, left, and middle lobes; 8, gall- 
bladder; 9, 10, 11, gall ducts; 12, artery; 13, portal vein, which conveys blood 
from stomach and intestines to the liver; 15-18, veins conveying blood to heart. 

circulation, receiving all that has been taken up by them, working 
some over into proper shape for use, holding some in its storage for 
a better time, and eliminating in the bile those products which it 
would be unsafe to let pass. So it is a sort of rag-sorter, and a fac- 
tory for working raw materials into finer form and eliminating the 
dross. Digestion is not half completed in the alimentary canal; the 
liver has its turn, and the products of digestion get a final cleansing 
in the process of oxygenation in the lungs. 

The liver carries on several important lines of work — more than 
can be told here — and as yet physiologists don't comprehend them 



CHEONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE LIVER. 377 

all; but it is pretty certain that one of its most important functions 
is to act as a sentinel against poisons sent to it from the intestinal 
absorbents. Digestion is seldom perfect, in spite of the gastric 
juice and numerous other digestive fluids, so that considerable food 
undergoes putrefactive change instead of digestion, and thus poisons 
develop which would do great harm if taken into the general circu- 
lation, but, being carried in the portal vein to the liver, they are 
arrested and transformed or cast out in the bile. If the contents of 
the intestines become too rotten day after day, the extra work thrown 
on the liver may tire it out, so there is reason enough why it should 
often become torpid. Then the poisons slip through it and bring on 
symptoms of biliousness, f everishness, and various depressing effects 
on the nervous system. The ordinary symptoms of biliousness are 
dull, heavy, drowsy feelings, even to sick headache, sallow or yellow 
stained complexion, sometimes approaching that of jaundice, yel- 
low-coated tongue and unpleasant taste, tendency to nose-bleeding 
or to hemorrhoids (from interference with blood circulation through 
a sluggish, congested liver), and mental moods of gloomy, despond- 
ent, and irritable kind. Locally there may be a sense of aching, 
heaviness, or weight in the right side. A catarrhal state of the 
blood is one of the results of liver torpor, and it is hardly possible to 
check catarrhal discharges anywhere until the liver has been re- 
stored to pretty normal activity. 

It is now being taught that when such disordered states are pro- 
longed, they may lead to diabetes and Bright's disease, for Prof. 
Bouchard and others have proved, by actual experiment on dogs, 
that when portal blood is sent into the general circulation without 
passing through the liver poisonous symptoms appear, consisting of 
fever, nephritis (Bright's disease), and albuminuria. No doubt the 
liver itself suffers and flinches when overloaded with poison prod- 
ucts of imperfect digestion, and so in course of time its own tissue 
may become altered through inflammatory action, and what has 
been a torpid, overworked, tired, and functionally deranged liver 
becomes a hard, knotty, and contracted liver, one organicaTly dis- 
eased, and that is called cirrhosis. Its duties are then more neg- 
lected than ever, the blood takes on a chronic state of self -poisoning, 
and its circulation through the narrowed blood vessels is so impeded 
that dropsy develops, generally abdominal, and matters go from 
bad to worse till the end. 



378 DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH; AND BOWELS. 

When the liver becomes irritated enough to harden and contract 
it is too late to talk of a cure, and therefore it is well to take notice 
of its first signals of distress, and give it a rest, or make things as 
easy for it as possible by a course of diet, abstemiousness, and medi- 
cines that help to make its tasks easier. From what has been said 
of the liver's functions it is easy to conclude that all means that will 
improve or perfect the first digestion will be of service to a torpid 
or an overstrained liver. Further, since all food products, good or 
bad, must pass its inspection and manipulation, its day's work can 
be lessened by eating lightly, especially of concentrated foods, such 
as meats, fats, and sweets, and allaying the appetite mainly with 
fruits, green stuff, and succulent vegetables, with plenty of water 
to flush the main pipe and sewer. 

Morbid appetite is one unfortunate symptom of congested liver, 
and ignorance of this fact is a large factor in the obstinacy of liver 
and digestive disorders. It must be held in check, as all the " liver 
invigorators " ever devised cannot relieve congestion when it is not. 
Another unfortunate symptom or effect of liver torpor is constipa- 
tion, because the bile is an important element for stimulating peri- 
staltic (muscular worm-like) action of the intestines, besides its 
saponifying effect on their contents, which renders fecal matter 
more easily movable. Liver torpor favors constipation, and con- 
stipation aggravates liver torpor. Some say that calomel, long 
famous for its supposed stimulative effect on the liver, has no effect 
on that organ, but affords relief only by hurrying the bile down 
and out of the intestines. 

Much of the unwise employment of mercurial preparations has 
been laid aside, but the relief of biliousness and constipation by cal- 
omel is seemingly so prompt and efficient, that very likely it is as 
much misapplied in this manner as ever — possibly more. Mercury 
is a foreign body to the human system, and can have no rightful 
place in its economy in health or disease. It is a mineral not nor- 
mally found in any of the bodily tissues, but with a peculiar power 
of amalgamating with them, and settling down as a permanent ele- 
ment, much to their discomfort. It would do far more damage 
except that most of it is cast out with the cathartic effort of nature 
to get rid of it ; but when regularly used the little that is absorbed 
of every dose accumulates to undermine the constitution, as surely 
as it softens and disintegrates metals with which it comes in con- 



CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE LIVER. 379 

tact. Even the old school practitioners are learning that there are 
"eclectic specifics " which give as prompt relief as mercury, and 
which may be repeated time after time, and employed year after 
year without injury. My " vegetable anti-bilious pills" afford a 
combination of safe and pleasant persuaders of normal function, 
that is a perfect substitute for blue pill, suitable for all ages, tem- 
peraments and climates. 

The difficulty of separating liver and "stomach disorders" in 
diagnosis will also be made evident in considering another way in 
which the liver suffers from its relations to its neighbors. The bile- 
duct (see Fig. 92 o N) is a small tube which conveys the bile to the 
duodenum, or that portion of the small intestine which leads off 
from the stomach, and in which intestinal digestion begins. When 
this part suffers from inflammation and catarrh, the trouble extends 
into the bile-duct, narrows the calibre, and impedes the flow of bile, 
besides vitiating it. This diseased action may go so far as to cause 
a full blockade, a damming back of bile, and jaundice, with its 
characteristic yellow stain of the 
whole skin. Except when the 
liver becomes torpid and ineffi- 
cient because of lack of nervous 
stimulus, it is fair to suppose that 
it would have the right to say to Tbe Panci : ea * L an f its ducts ^^ which 

the pancreatic fluids pass to the duodenum. 

its neighbors, when charged with 

disorderly conduct, "You began it," but when the doctor is called 

to repress disorder, he must deal with all parts involved. 

When matters in this region have been permitted to go wrong for 
some time, it often happens that gall-stones are formed, and their 
passage through the slender duct is attended with terrific spasmodic 
pains, cold sweats, and vomiting — an attack of gall-stone colic— 
and such attacks may occur periodically for years, unless corrective 
treatment be applied. Very large stones may be formed in the gall- 
bladder, and be removed by cutting through the abdominal walls. 
The largest we ever saw pictured was like a small potato, two inches 
long by over an inch in diameter. 

The pancreas is a near-by glandular organ that secretes a fluid of 
great digestive power, and no doubt suffers much as the liver does 
from its similar relations to bad neighbors. If the truth were 
known, possibly torpid pancreas is as common as torpid liver, but 




380 DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

as it has only one function instead of the numerous duties of the 
liver, it is a less important organ, and if it naps occasionally we 
are less liable to know it. When seriously affected it is supposed 
to bring on diabetes, and cancer is another one of its possible dis- 
eases, but its worst forms of disease are seldom attended with well- 
defined symptoms, and so are not easily discovered. 

Dyspepsia. 

This is one of the most common diseases that afflict humanity, 
and the suffering is by no means confined to the greatly abused 
stomach. The brain at once enters into sympathy with this important 
organ of digestion when it is disordered. So intimately are the 
Lead and stomach connected by the nervous system that mental dis- 
turbances will destroy appetite, and arrest the progress of digestion ; 
and digestive derangements will produce depression of spirits, irri- 
tability, hypochondria, and almost insanity. 

The immediate causes of dyspepsia, nearly everybody is familiar 
with. They are — rapid, immoderate, and irregular eating; excessive 
drinking; injudicious drugging; tight dressing of the waist ; exces- 
sive brain labor; grief; anxiety; and jealousy. Tobacco smoking 
and chewing, in many cases, cause such a waste of the salival fluids 
by expectoration that the food enters the stomach insufficiently 
mixed with them. The importance of the salival fluids in perform- 
ing the digestive function, is given in the introductory matter of this 
chapter. The excessive use of alcoholic liquors irritates and inflames 
the lining of the stomach, and this leads to dyspepsia. Only those 
who have weak or feeble stomachs without irritation, are benefited 
by the use of tonics or stimulants. The immoderate use of condi- 
ments also induces irritation or inflammation of the lining of the 
stomach. I am often surprised beyond expression at the test of 
endurance some people put upon their stomachs in the wholesale use 
'of pepper, mustard, and horse-radish. The amount of any one of these 
things swallowed at one meal by some individuals, would draw a 
blister in an hour or two if applied to any external part of their 
persons. How the stomach manages to dispose of these things with- 
out getting burned, is a mystery to anybody who realizes how much 
more susceptible the mucous membrane is to the effects of irritants, 
tli an is the cuticle. Hence, it is perceived, the immediate causes of 



DYSPEPSIA. 



381 



Fig. 97. 



dyspepsia are as numerous as are bad habits. The predisposing and 
perpetuating causes, however, are what are generally overlooked. 
What are they? 

The predisposing 
and perpetuating 
causes of dyspepsia 
are, impure blood, 
and derangements 
of the nervous sys- 
tem. When the 
* ,od is at fault, 
the lining of the 
stomach is liable 
to an attack of 
eruption, or irrita- 
tion, or inflamma- 
tion. In this form 
of dyspepsia the 
invalid experiences 
pain, soreness, 
gnawing, burning, 
or other inflamma- 
tory symptoms ; 
with an empty feel- 
;ng, sourness, wind, 
trembling, nausea, 
etc., at the stomach. 
Not all of these 
symptoms in any 
one case, but some nerves of the stomach, 

one or more Ot The above figure shows how extensively the stomach and diges- 
them. When the tive apparatus is permeated with nerves. The liver (1) is 

dyspepsia proceeds turned up to cxhibit the anterior surface of the stoma <*; 

also the gall bladder (2). The organic nerves are marked 3, 
from nervous de- ^ w hile the pyloric extremity of the stomach and the con- 
rangements, the tracted portion of the pylorus are indicated by the figures 4 
symptoms are, usu- aml 5 ; 7 ' 7 ' 7 ' mark thc omentum - 

ally palpitation of the heart ; trembling at the pit of the stomach ; a 
weak or all-gone feeling at the stomach ; while the body appears 
attenuated, and the countenance pale ; the sleep disturbed ; the 




382 DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH, AMD BOWELS. 

spirits more continually depressed ; and the mental and physical 
energies subdued. 

In either of the foregoing forms of dyspepsia, the food passes 
through more of a rotting than of a digesting process, and the 
gases emanating from the decomposing mass, cause acidity and 
flatulency. Then the nutritious substances are so contaminated by 
properties calculated to irritate or inflame the blood, that rotten 
apples would answer about as well for food as sound vegetables and 
meats ; and they would impart about as much benefit to the system. 

Epicures ; good feeders ; or those who are denominated " fast 
livers;" and those who have plenty of flesh on their bones, are the 
most liable to that form of dyspepsia which is perpetuated by blood 
impurities. Imprudence in eating produces in, and sends forth from, 
the stomach to the vascular fluids, impurities which in time " come 
home to roost." They pay a visit to their maternal home, and theii 
presence is any thing but agreeable ; for like wanton children, they 
mark and deface the walls, and turn every thing topsy-turvy. Some 
unfortunate people, however, have this form of dyspepsia, who have 
not been seemingly irregular in their habits. This is because they 
either inherited or contracted scrofulous impurities ; or took injuri- 
ous medicines, or were poisoned in some way. These dyspeptics are 
lean or fleshy according to their temperaments. I have met with 
dyspeptic invalids whose parents on one side were scrofulous, and 0*1 
the other, predisposed to diseased livers, and sveak stomachs — a 
capital hereditary combination to produce dyspeptic progeny. The 
children of such parentage are as sure to inherit dyspepsia as those 
of affluent parents are to inherit wealth. 

Professional men, students, and other brain-workers are most 
liable to that form of dyspepsia, which is perpetuated by nervous 
derangements. By too close mental application they exhaust nerv- 
ous vitality, amd consequently, too little nervous stimulus is given 
to the stomach to render digestion properly active. Dyspepsia of 
this form may also proceed from nervous derangements induced by 
any excessive mental emotion, or by venereal excesses ; masturba- 
tion ; or from diseased procreative organs of either sex, as these 
affections invariably prostrate the nervous energies. 

Dyspepsia, in many cases, is perpetuated by both blood and nerv- 
ous derangements ; or, in other words, the blood of che dyspeptic 
being impure and the nervous forces insufficient or misapplied* a 



DYSPEPSIA. 883 

complicated form of the disease exists. Mental depression and irri- 
tability, if not imaginary horrors, are ever present when* both of 
these constitutional derangements form the root of the digestive dis- 
turbance. " Physically," a writer speaking of this class of invalids, 
remarks, " the dyspeptic has many evils to contend with ; pain in the 
chest, and other parts of the body, particularly the left side and the 
sternum. The muscles of the body become weak and flabby, mani- 
festing soreness on the least unusual exertion, with lameness in the 
limbs, etc. There is tenderness in the region of the stomach and the 
hips, felt upon pressure. The extremities are cold and rigid ; the 
skin dry, rough, and pale ; hands and feet usually cold, are some- 
times hot and burning. The patient at times is distressed with 
night-sweats, bad sleep, and worse dreams. He seems heir to a 
thousand evils, changing in their nature — old ones vanishing, new 
ones appearing. Some of the most alarming to the sufferers, are 
palpitation and cough. He is troubled with vertigo, ringing and 
other sounds in the ears. Sometimes he hesitates in his speech — has 
uncertain action — is pleased with nothing — pleases nobody — has 
abundant occasion for regretting blunders of manners and morals. 
Moral power he seems greatly to lack; he has lost self-control, 
follows this whim and that, but never the doctor's prescription to the 
end — he cannot remain in the mood long enough. Hence the disease 
is prolonged, especially as time is necessary to a cure. He has no 
patience for that, he is so moody, so wavering. In a word he is 
only the shadow of himself.' 7 This is a very fair description of the 
condition of. body and mind in a case of complicated dyspepsia. A 
man or woman so affected cannot be a practical Christian ! The 
victim grumbles and frets involuntarily, and creates a domestic hell 
at his or her own fireside. Surrounding friends try to be forbearing 
and make all die allowance for the unfortunate physical derangements 
of the invalid ; but incidents will occur when patience is strained 
almost to the point of breaking, when relatives and friends are com- 
pelled to cry out, " What next?" as the tadpole has been reputed to 
exclaim when he loses his tail! 

There is still another class of dyspeptics who suffer little except 
from leanness ; susceptibility to cold ; and general lassitude. Per- 
sons thus affected have stomachs so inactive that the food might 
aboO, as well pass down outside as inside. A soup bath might 
answer still better! The stomach is never provoked into making 



384 DISEASES OF LITER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

use of what is put into it, and in many cases the appetite 
invalids is perfectly enormous. Everybody wonders where so r 
food goes to. It seems as if the hungry and wasted system wa 
stantly crying for food, causing a disposition to eat voraciously, while 
the stomach remains an idle spectator to all that is passing. It is 
questionable whether invalids so affected derive any nourishment at 
all from the usual digestive process. As the food passes along the 
oesophagus, and through the upper and lower stomach, and finally 
along the crooked path of the intestines, the mucous membrane 
absorbs enough nutriment to keep the person alive by the aid of air, 
sunlight, and social magnetism. The predisposing and perpetuating 
causes of this form of dyspepsia are, deficiency of red corpuscles in 
the blood, and lack of nervous vitality ; and these causes are aggra- 
vated in every case by the very disease they have induced. 

There is a too general propensity to let up on normal digestion, 
and to look for " pre-digested " foods and artificial aids to digestive 
processes, instead of trying to give all digestive functions a fair and 
normal amount of work. Of course there is, too, the tendency to 
overtax by gluttony, or excess of concentuated ("rich") foods, 
besides the habit of throwing the duty of one part on another, as of 
swallowing food without mastication, seemingly with the idea that 
the stomach has teeth, claws, or other apparatus for comminuting 
the food. Most folks seem too tired or hurried to work their jaws 
and teeth as nature intended, and in this laxness they have even 
been encouraged by short-sighted teachers of the physiology of 
digestion. 

For a long time the physiologists, even influential writers of text- 
books, have been in serious error regarding mouth-starch digestion 
and the function of the saliva. Food, even when sufficiently mas- 
ticated, is not long held in the mouth, subject to salivary action, 
and it was taught that when it was swallowed, the acid secretion of 
the stomach at once checked salivary digestion, and postponed fur- 
ther change in starchy foods until they could be passed through the 
stomach and take another turn at being digested by intestinal fluids 
and pancreatic juice ; but later investigation has shown that thor- 
ough mixing of food with saliva counts for more than the short 
time of mouth-mastication, and that for a w^hile the saliva is very 
active even after the food has been swallowed. Not at once is the 
food mass rendered acid by gastric juice, and while it is yet alkaline 



DYSPEPSIA. 385 

and neutral, which may be half an hour, the saliva, if it has been 
well mixed with the food, "gets in its fine work," so that even 
eighty-five per cent, of the starch may be digested before the con- 
tents of the stomach is forwarded to the small intestine to complete 
the job. 

For this recent revelation of new light on salivary digestion we 
are indebted to Dr. Kellogg, editor of Modern Medicine, and he 
further claims that saliva aids the food in "stimulating glandular 
activity on the part of the stomach whereby an active and abundant 
supply of gastric juice is produced." Dr. Kellogg's statements are 
based on over 4,000 analyses of the contents of the human stomach 
at the Battle Creek Sanitarium. What he says is well worth listen- 
ing to, remembering and acting upon, and to help * ' drive it in " the 
minds of our readers, and so encourage renewed activity of their 
jaws, more bites to each morsel, longer lingering on its sweetness 
and thorough ensalivation, we quote from him as follows : 

"It is more than probable that hasty mastication is one of the 
principal causes of dyspepsia in Americans. The gastric juice can- 
not act upon the starch; it can only act upon gluten and other nitrog- 
enous elements of bread and other cereal foods after thege elements 
have been set free by the action of the saliva upon the starch which 
constitutes the greater bulk of these food substances. 

" This neglect of mastication, and resulting salivary indigestion, 
explains the enormous demand for malt preparations (we do not 
refer to beer, which is worthless as a digestive agent) which has 
sprung up within the last few years. The product of malt diges- 
tion, or maltose, is precisely the same as that of salivary digestion, 
the action of the saliva upon the starch resulting in the production, 
not of glucose, as was formerly supposed, but of maltose. 

"Another cause of salivary indigestion which we should men- 
tion is the abundant use of sweets. In order that the saliva shall 
exercise its properties efficiently, it is necessary that it should act 
in a suitable medium. A temperature of 100° and an alkaline or 
neutral reaction are necessary for prompt and vigorous action on 
the part of the saliva upon the farinaceous elements of food. A low 
temperature hinders this action, and acidity stops it altogether. 
The presence of a large amount of sugar also hinders the action of 
the saliva. 

"It is thus evident that the copious drinking of cold water, or 



386 DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

the taking of ice foods in connection with meals, is a means of pro- 
ducing salivary indigestion. The free use of strong acids, such as 
vinegar, in connection with cereal foods, is equally objectionable. 
Nothing could be more absurd than the combination of strong acids 
with vegetable elements, as in pickles. This is probably the reason 
why many persons find themselves unable to use acid fruits with- 
out fermentation. The acidity may be sufficient to neutralize the 
action of the saliva upon the starch. 

"Evidently it is not only physiologically absurd to add sugar to 
farinaceous foods, since the starch, which composes one-half the 
weight of these foods, is all converted into sugar in the process of 
digestion, but the practice is also highly injurious, since it prevents 
the normal action of the saliva upon the starch." 

Constipation. 

To properly understand the causes which may produce this common 
and troublesome difficulty, it is necessary to know the process by 
which the solid waste matters thrown from the stomach, are dis- 
posed of. It has already been explained at the beginning of this 
chapter how the liver, if active, supplies a saponaceous fluid called 
bile to mix with, soften, and lubricate, them. Then on entering the 
intestines, there is a worm-like motion technically called peristaltic 
action of these tubes ; or, in other words, a contraction of the fibres 
of the intestines above the matter to be removed, which carries it 
constantly along. Then at stool the breath is inhaled so as to 
depress the diaphragm, which produces a pressure downward upon 
the intestines; and the muscles of the abdomen contract so as to 
produce pressure in front of them ; and it is by this process that 
the residuum of the food taken into the mouth, and the excrementi- 
tious secretions of the colon are cast out of the body. It will be 
interesting here, if the reader has not already done so, to turn to 
figure 92, and observe the convolutions of the intestines, and the 
circuitous route which the faeces are compelled to pursue before 
leaving the system. 

To prevent a blockade, and to encourage the peristaltic action of 
the intestines; arid, in fact, to properly relieve the human machinery 
of waste matters, every person ought to have one thorough evacuation 
of the bowels at least once a day. Some very hearty eaters may 
better have two. If the faaces are dry, and much straining is required 



CONSTIPATION. 



387 



Fig. 98. 



for their expulsion, even if the bowels move regularly once a day, 
the person so affected may very correctly be said to be constipated. 
Simply this sluggish condition is liable to induce serious derange- 
ments, such as falling of the rectum 
and piles ; and, when the blood is 
in a scrofulous condition, difficult 
stooling may induce ulceration, 
abscess, or fistula. 

The immediate causes of consti- 
pation are — a diseased liver, by 
which an insufficient supply of 
saponaceous bile is given to the 
waste substances to soften and 
lubricate them ; a retention of the 
faeces until their fluidity has been 
absorbed or evaporated in disagree- 
able gases; the use of food that 
too greatly absorbs the fluids ; the 
use of astringent food or medicine ; 
the habitual use of too concen- 
trated nutrition — for there must 
be bulk as well as true aliment; 
over-eating, by which the digestive 
apparatus and the intestines are 
unduly distended ; relaxation of the an illustration showing how the male 
muscular fibres of the intestines, organs are affected by constipation. 
so that they contract feebly ; contraction of the respiratory organs 
by tight lacing or disease, so that the diaphragm cannot be deeply 
depressed ; weakness or flabbiness of the abdominal muscles, in con- 
sequence of which the bowels can give little or no pressure in front ; 
and partial or complete paralysis of the rectum, in which case it 
has not the power to expel substantial faeces. 

The predisposing causes are usually sedentary habits which depress 
the nervous energy, and weaken those forces which give activity to 
the various parts depended upon for the energetic expulsion of the 
useless solid matters of the system. Blood-impurities, in many 
cases, intercept the nervous forces, and practically produce the same 
result. 

Everybody who has eve? been affected with constipation is familiar 




388 DISEASES OF LITER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 



with many of the effects : the crowded, distended feeling of tho 
bowels ; the drowsiness and lassitude ; headache ; and, in some 
cases, disagreeable breath and offensive effluvia. But most people 
are not aware of the injury inflicted upon 
the procreative organs of those of both 
sexes. For this reason I have had designed 
and engraved the annexed illustrations, 
figures 98 and 99. The relative location of 
the rectum and seminal vesicles, and pros- 
tate gland, is given in figure 98. In the 
illustration marked A the seminal vesicles 
and the prostate gland are exhibited as 
they appear when they are not crowded 
by a constipated rectum. The prostate 
gland is that bulblike formation just over 
the anus or mouth of the rectum. The 
seminal vesicles lie back of the prostate 
gland between the bladder and rectum. 
The location of these vesicles may be 
still better understood by turning over to 
figure 136. Now look at B, in figure 
98, and see how, when the rectum is 
engorged with excrementitious matter, the 
gland and vesicles are pressed. Unless 
the person so affected is remarkably strong 
an illustration siiowiNG how j n these parts there must be inevitably an 

THE FEMALE ORGANS ARE AF- . , -. . . « , . , •. 

.n^.v^c^.^v involuntary exudation of both semen and 

FECTED BY CONSTIPATION. J 

prostatic fluid. Especially must this be 
the case at stool when by straining this pressure is aggravated. 
Then, too, when the anus becomes irritated and inflamed by the 
straining and friction, that irritation is almost always communicated 
to the prostate gland and spermatic vessels, producing, or greatly 
aggravating involuntary nocturnal seminal emissions. When pin- 
worms exist, as they often do in this diseased and engorged condi- 
tion of the rectum, the itching and tickling caused by the move- 
ments of the parasites, also predispose the one so affected to invol- 
untary emissions. The frightful consequences of these seminal 
losses are presented in an essay on seminal weakness in a chapter 
farther on. 




CONSTIPATION. 389 

Now, let me call your attention to figure 99, representing the 
female organs. The illustration designated by the letter A presents 
all the organs in their proper condition — the bladder in front ; the 
vagina next ; and the rectum behind. Above the vagina an outline 
of the womb is given and its cavity dotted out. Below this picture, 
B represents these same organs when the lower part of the rectum, 
marked 2, is distended with fecal matter. The cavity of the vagina, 
it is noticed, is nearly obliterated, and the womb is somewhat 
pressed above its natural position. This engorgement, in many cases 
commences even above figure 1, and in these instances the womb is 
pressed downward and forward, and sometimes frightfully displaced. 
When badly prolapsed, it becomes inflamed, congested, and swollen ; 
and in this condition it retaliates upon the rectum, and to such an 
extent in some instances as to almost close the canal through which 
the excrementitious matters pass out. Here is a combination which 
in its effects is very troublesome. It is most unfortunate for a person 
of either sex to suffer with this mutual antagonism and crowding of 
the organs represented in the illustrations given. In health there 
is space enough for them all, and elbow-room sufficient to enable 
each to perform its allotted function ; but when the rectum or intes- 
tines above become engorged with waste matter, disorder commences, 
and a regular family fracas ensues, or a sort of civil war, which in 
time involves every organ of the system. 

In some cases the intestines and upper part of the rectum succeed 
very well in moving along the waste matters, while the lower part 
of the rectum is nearly paralyzed. In such persons the blockade 
takes place at about the point designated by figure 2, in illustration 
B, representing the female organs. Here a regular fecal plug forms, 
and in a little time becomes as hard as a rubber ball. The disposi- 
tion is constantly felt to go to stool, but after repeated failures, in 
which the rectum is painfully irritated, and the adjoining organs 
most uncomfortably pressed and strained, the person affected is apt 
to give up the effort, ard turn to cathartics to remove the obstruc- 
tion ; but it is soon discovered that the dissolving effects of the ca- 
thartics do not reach the plug at all, while the intestines and their 
contents above are disagreeably affected by the action of the medi- 
cine. When at last the physician or some knowing friend is con- 
sulted, an injection of oil, or molasses and water, or something else, 
to act locally upon the plug, is prescribed. By these means the 



390 DISEASES OF LITER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

patient is relieved, and with the removal of the plug there comes a 
regular freshet of what had been retained above, and changed almost 
to a scalding mixture by medicine. The parts now smart and burn 
with irritation ; and the sufferer is fortunate if piles do not attack 
the rectum. As this plug may be easily reached, the better way at 
the outset, before either medicine or injection is used, is to take to 
the water-closet a vessel of either sweet or castor oil, or any relaxing 
ointment, and while making a gentle straining effort, lubricate the 
rectum well with the oil, and actually pick to pieces the indurated 
fecal plug. Then look out next time and not go too long without 
another effort to effect a movement ; for this difficulty is not unfre- 
quently induced by deferring attention to nature's call. In some 
cases, if a strong inclination to evacuate the bowels be disregarded 
for twenty minutes, this fecal plug will form low down in the rec- 
tum, and harden so rapidly, that when an effort is made, it cannot 
be moved a particle without artificial aid. 

An inactive liver and obstinate constipation, in many cases, com- 
pel nature to dispose of the bile and waste matters through the ex- 
cretory pores of the skin. When so expelled, the effluvia of the per- 
son are very offensive, and the linen worn next to the skin quickly 
discolored. If the under garments are worn for a day, they look as 
if they had been colored by a dyer. Such invalids owe it not less to 
their companions and friends than to themselves to adopt early and 
thorough medical treatment. They are a stench in everybody's nos- 
trils, or, in brief, traveling nuisances, which should be speedily cured 
or abolished. Such persons generally feel pretty comfortable, be- 
cause nature manages to dispose of the excrementitious matter. The 
atmosphere becomes their privy or water-closet, and no one would 
be surprised at the intuition of the dog in smelling out the tracks of 
his master, if all men were thus diseased. 

In the treatment of constipation, the causes should be ascertained; 
and so long as the popular mind is so ignorant of the human ma- 
chinery, a physician should be consulted to avoid mistake. Those 
wishing to consult the author, can answer the questions on page 600. 
Before taking this step, however, it is well enough to see what care 
in regard to diet will effect. It is not uncommon to see persons of 
constipated habit, make a breakfast of wheat-bread toast, or a 
luncheon of crackers and cheese. These are the worst things that 
can be eaten in a case of constipation. They will constipate a per- 



CONSTIPATION, 



391 



Fig. 100. 



son in perfect health if eaten to any great extent. Fried and baked 
potatoes ; vegetables and meats cooked brown ; fine wheat bread ; 
rice in any form ; sweet apples ; blackberries, fresh or preserved ; 
and all food and fruit of an astringent quality, are bad for people of 
costive habit. Among those things which maybe used to advantage, 
are brown, corn, Graham, and rye bread; wheaten grits, or cracked 
wheat; hominy; mush; tomatoes; beans; peas; squashes; green 
corn, fresh or canned ; boiled or stewed potatoes ; meats cooked 
rare, etc. 

Constipation may often be relieved by relaxing fruits. Grapes are 
useful in such cases when the seeds are swallowed with the pulp. 
The Medical Magazine, 
in speaking of the vir- 
tues of the grape, re- 
marks as follows : 
l< When in health swal- 
low only the pulp ; 
when the bowels are 
costive and you wish to 
relax them, swallow the 
seeds with the pulp, 
ejecting the skins ; 
when you wish to check 
a too relaxed state of 
the bowels, swallow the 
pulp ejecting the seeds, 
also masticate the skins 
well and swallow the 
astringent juice of 
them. Thus may the 
grape be used as a med- 
icine, while at the same 
time, it serves as a 
laxative, unsurpassed 
by any other fruit. An 
adult may eat from threeto four pounds a day with benefit. It is 
well to take them with or immediately after your regular meals." 
The French say of the grape that " it not only dilutes the thick blood 
but sends the circulation to the surface, giving color to the paid 




MW0 



A DELICIOUS-LOOKING MEDICINE. 



392 DISEASES OF LITER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

cheek ; that it removes obstructions from the liver and lungs, aids 
digestion, brings the stomach and bowels into a healthy state, dis- 
lodges gravel and calculi from the kidneys, and confers vigor and 
health upon the prostrate system." All acidulous fruits act 
favorably in cases of constipation : such, for instance, as sour apples; 
oranges ; lemons, etc, ; while figs, though sweet, are relaxing and 
beneficial. Perfect regularity at stool is essentially necessary 
to prevent and cure constipation. When at stool, kneading the 
bowels with the hands, or otherwise pressing and manipulating 
them, aids in producing an evacuation. Fixing the mind upon the 
function of expelling the faeces, also aids ; while the action of the 
mind in thinking of other matters, or reading, greatly retards a free 
movement of the bowels. 

All the foregoing rules in regard to diet, etc., should be religiously 
observed by constipated people, and then if the difficulty continues, 
ascertain to a certainty where the causes lie, and adopt treatment 
suitable to their removal. 

Chronic Diarrhoea. 

Here we have an affection of the bowels directly opposite to that 
considered in the preceding essay. Diarrhoea is characterized by 
frequent thin or watery stools ; heat, and sometimes smarting, in 
the bowels ; a dragging or downward pressure in the rectum ; and, 
in severe cases, faintness at stool. In the chronic form of the disease, 
one or more of these symptoms may or may not present themselves 
prominently. There are 'those affected with chronic diarrhoea who 
have but one passage of the bowels per day ; but that passage is 
loose, perhaps watery, and possibly attended with great flatulency. 
There are other cases in which the bowels move frequently during 
every twenty-four hours, who experience no other disagreeable 
symptoms or inconvenience. They seem to feel pretty well, but are 
compelled to attend to the calls of nature so frequently as to greatly 
annoy them, whether indulging in recreation, sociality, or engaging 
in their usual avocations. Especially will persons thus affected feel 
an inclination to stool when under any excitement. Then again there 
are those who are alternately relaxed and constipated. For a few days 
or weeks they are uncomfortably bound up, having no evacuations 
of the bowels ; when suddenly and almost without warning the flood- 



CHRONIC DIAREHCEA. 393 

gates give way and the excreraentitious matters pass off in a softened 
or fluid form every few hours for a certain length of time. 

The causes of chronic diarrhoea are various. In that form last 
mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the liver remains in a state 
of stubborn torpidity for a time ; then it changes to an activity 
reversely as excessive, and the bile which has been dammed up in the 
system, pours down the duCts into the lower stomach and bowels, 
and dissolves to fluidity the excrementitious matters, and they run 
off in streams much to the discomfort and annoyance of the invalid, 
who, while feeling relieved from the heaviness, drowsiness, and 
fulness of the costive condition, suffers from a sensation of weak- 
ness and a bearing down or dragging sensation almost unendurable, 
together with a scalding or smarting feeling after each stool. The 
derangement of the liver in these cases proceeds from a want of 
regular nervous action in that organ, and the disposition of the 
recuperative powers in some persons to force hepatic action and over- 
come obstructions when the circulation becomes loaded with bile 
and the intestines engorged with fecal accumulations. 

Diarrhoea may also arise from the blood being so impure as to 
render the bilious secretions acrimonious and too solvent, in con- 
sequence of which the fecal contents of the intestines are rendered 
watery and irritating to the coatings of the intestinal canal. Some 
times blood-impurities cause eruptions along the lining of this canal, 
and these eruptions give off a catarrhal secretion, which acts as a 
solvent and irritant. In persons of a scrofulous diathesis, ulcera- 
tions sometimes take place in the bowels, the discharge from which 
mixes with the faeces, and gives them a diarrhoeal consistency. Ex- 
cessive drugging for liver derangements, constipation, and other dif- 
ficulties, has often induced intestinal irritation, which in turn has 
caused chronic diarrhoea. A dyspeptic stomach, which gives rise to 
great acidity and flatulency, may impart to the waste matters that 
pass from it undue solvent qualities, and thereby cause diarrhoea. 
At the close of the great rebellion I was consulted by a Union sol- 
dier, who received a bullet- wound in the abdomen three years pre- 
viously, since which time lie had been constantly affected with 
chronic diarrhoea. The ball had been extracted, but irritations rer 
mained which caused catarrhal and ulcerous secretions, and sympa- 
thetically affected the digestive organs. He was greatly reduced in 
flesh, and looked as bloodless as one in the last stages of consump- 
17* 



394 DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH, AND* BOWELS. 

tion. Notwithstanding, however, the peculiarity of the case, and his 
repeated failures to get well, under various systems of medication, his 
difficulty readily yielded to my remedies, which were prepared with 
reference to the restoration of his blood, and the vitalizing of his 
wasted nervous system. 

In all cases of chronic diarrhoea, it will be found that the blood is 
low and usually impure. In nearly*all cases there are nervous de- 
rangements. In a majority of them the liver is out of order; and 
in not a few cases the stomach is diseased and digestion impaired. 
It is not well, therefore, to resort simply to astringents. In many 
cases no more unfortunate result can be obtained than the arrest of 
the frequent passages while the causes remain undisturbed. As a 
rule, having few exceptions, those affected with chronic diarrhoea 
should have no astringent medicines whatever. The shutting up of 
this outlet of acrimonious matter, is liable to produce bilious or 
other fevers. Still, many imagine that if they can only stop the 
flux, all will be right with them ; and acting upon this hypothesis, 
they ply their stomachs and bowels with astringent drugs, or allow 
an indiscreet doctor to do it for them. In any case of chronic diar- 
rhoea, if the questions given on page 600 are answered, I can easily 
ascertain the cause or causes, and by removing that or them, effect 
a radical cure. All the astringents necessary may be obtained by a 
proper selection of food. Wheat-bread toast ; cracker toast ; boiled 
rice ; rice gruel ; baked potatoes ; toast prepared with boiled milk ; 
blackberries, fresh or canned; baked sweet apples; grape pulps, 
and the juice of the skins, without the seeds; black currants; brandy 
peaches; wild cherries; and any other wholesome vegetables and 
fruits, possessing mild binding qualities. Astringent drinks may also 
be prepared and used moderately., Rice scorched and prepared in 
the same ay as we prepare the coffee berry; crust coffee; toast 
water; blackberry -jelly water ; and diluted blackberry-brandy are all 
useful in chronic diarrhoea, if used with sufficient moderation, and 
not depended upon for effecting a cure. 

Hemorrhoids, or Piles. 

In introducing this essay, I will first explain that the rectum is the 
third and last portion of the large intestines, and was so named by 
\h& mistaken anatomists of old, under the supposition that this por- 



HEMORRHOIDS, OR PILE& 



395 



Fig. 101. 



tion of the gut was straight. The illustration s, figures 98 and 99 7 
show just about how straight it actually is, and how erroneous it 
was to christen it after the Latin term rectus ! As the name, how- 
ever, does not give anybody any distress, we will turn our attention 
to those diseases of the rectum which do. 

The most common affection of the rectum and its termination, is 
piles. All persons subject to constipation, or diarrhoea, are apt to be 
troubled with piles, and some have them who are not subject to 
irregularity of the bowels. Itching piles are those w T hich often pre- 
sent no distinct elevations, but great irritation of the anus and some- 
times a puffiness of the surrounding membranes. Then there are 
cases where an eruption of an itching character breaks out about the 
anus which may also be called itching piles. The most troublesome 
piles, however, are those of a tumorous and varicose nature, such 
as are represented in the annexed illustration, figure .101. 

The arteries of the rectum are numerous, and whether the enlarge- 
ments are simply varicose or tumorous, the blood presses in upon 
the affected parts, and alarming hem- 
orrhages in some cases take place. I 
once had an interesting case of this 
kind, who before becoming my patient 
had for more than a year been subject 
to daily excessive hemorrhages from 
the rectum, and to such a frightful 
extent as te give her a deathlike pale- 
ness, and such weakness that she 
could with difficulty keep from her bed. 
Her friends despaired of her recovery 
after the failure of the family physician 
to relieve her. She was a Jewess, and 
her gratitude on being restored under 
mv treatment found expression in the V"* *» * sphincter muscle which 

J «l xi holds the tumors tightly after they 

naming of her first-born after the are extonded . Bi pi i es forme d of 

author, who, by invitation, was pres- swollen mucous membrane and en- 
ent at the peculiar ceremony of cir- larged vessels ; C, anal aperture. 

cumcision. This was all contrary to tbe canons of the Jewish 
religion, which forbid the adoption of Christian names, and prohibit 
religious fellowship with those entertaining the Christian faith. But 
ehe insisted that Dr. F. had saved her life, and that the baby was the 




TUMOROUS AND VARICOSE TILES AS 
THEY APPEAR IN THE ANUS. 



396 DISEASES OF LIYEB, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 

offspring of her recovery, and the opposition of her friends to the 
course she chose to pursue, did not prevail. 

The immediate cause of piles may be briefly given as every thing 
which tends to irritate or unduly heat the anus or rectum. Hard 
fecal plugs, and watery and scalding stools may induce an attack of 
piles. Considering the vascularity of the rectum, it is frightful to 
think of a large dry fecal plug, as hard and irregular as a stone, 
descending the rectum, scratching and pushing along, abrading the 
lining in one place, and so distending it in another that the blood 
actually exudes from the congested membrane. But there are those 
who are so ignorant of the peculiar structure of the rectum that 
they allow constipation to produce these fecal plugs which are thrown 
off every few days for weeks and months, until the most obstinate dis- 
eases of the rectum are induced. 

Carelessness in tbe selection of instruments for cleansing the parts 
after stool often induces irritation which develops piles. This evil is so 
excessively prevalent, particularly in rural districts, that I must beg 
the indulgence of the reader for a moment while I call attention to 
it. Nothing is more common than to find in the " little-house " of 
a farm-yard, a huge pile of corn-cobs for the purpose indicated. 
Even chips are sometimes resorted to. Now, to frictionize the 
external skin with a harsh substance like either of those, would be 
sufficient to produce eruptions or sores upon any one affected with 
blood impurities ; but applied to the delicate membrane of the anus, 
no one addicted to the practice can escape having piles unless his 
blood is remarkably pure. Leaves of plants are often used with like 
results. The leaves of almost all descriptions of vegetation are more 
or less bearded or coated with a kind of fuzz which, when brought 
in contact with the mucous membrane, causes irritation. Coarse 
brown paper is nearly as unsuitable, inasmuch as it is too rough and 
harsh, while newspaper is equally objectionable, because of the 
irritating properties of the ink with which it is printed. It would 
be well if all would regard this matter of sufficient importance to 
provide themselves with paper which is manufactured and sold 
expressly for the purpose. If not, only the softest, and most pliable 
brown paper, such as would answer to wipe the mouth or nose in the 
absence of a handkerchief, should be employed. 

People of sedentary habits should also be guarded as to what they 
use for seats. Sitting in cushioned chairs covered with worsted \ 



HEMORRHOIDS; OR PILES. 397 

enameled cloth, or other heating material, tends to produce irrita- 
tion in the anus. If a person is at all predisposed to piles, cane- 
seated chairs are far preferable to any other, and a wood-bottomed 
chair is decidedly better than one that is luxuriously upholstered. 

The anatomical relation of the blood-vessels of the rectum to the 
liver is such that the return flow of blood from the hemorrhoidal 
veins at the rectum or anus is obstructed when the liver is con- 
gested, and therefore liver torpor is the most common cause of the 
engorgement and swelling of the veins which constitute pile tumors. 
It is seldom possible to do much for permanent relief of piles with- 
out giving due attention to the liver, and relieving the torpid state 
of circulation there which dams back the blood into the veins below, 
at the rectunio Local treatment, whether medicinal or surgical, is 
not likely to be truly curative. Soothing ointments (particularly 
my Magnetic Ointment) will give great relief from soreness, heat, 
and the results of chafing, and for a time seem to cure; and the 
various operations by knife, clamps, and cautery will of course at 
once destroy the piles thus treated, but the veins there are numer- 
ous, tortuous, and lengthy, so that after a few pile tumors have 
been removed, if the cause is not, another lot is likely to be pro- 
duced. Some cases are so severe as to call for very prompt relief 
by the aid of surgery, and some of the most successful operations are 
done without any pain to speak of, but unless constitutional treat- 
ment be at once adopted for removal of causes, there may soon be 
another call for operation. On the other hand, if the patient can 
bear his discomfort a little longer, the right sort of constitutional 
treatment, combined with soothing and astringent local applica- 
tions, will often do wonders in the way of reducing large, protrud- 
ing, and bleeding piles, and render any sort of surgical operation 
unnecessary. Piles that bleed enough to gradually impair the gen- 
eral health, and weaken sexual vigor in course of time, do not 
always protrude and cause soreness and chafing. Their main annoy- 
ance is from bleeding at stool, and perhaps some pain then, and 
these may not be enough to compel due attention to proper treat- 
ment, but it is unwise to neglect it. 

The most skillful treatment, however, is liable to fail in any case, 
unless proper attention is paid to personal habits. I have already 
spoken of constipation, and advised means for overcoming the diffi- 
culty, in an essay devoted to that subject ; but the importance of 



398 DISEASES OF LITER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS. 



avoiding a constipated condition of the bowels is so essential to 
success in removing hemorrhoidal affections, I must be pardoned 
for introducing matter here which may almost seem like repeti- 
tion. First, and all-important, after giving attention to dietetic 
rules, is regularity in attending to the calls of nature. Every man, 
woman, and child should have a stated hour, from which he or she 
should reluctantly deviate if the house is on fire. Persons accus- 
toming the bowels to move at a certain time each day, will find that 
organ ready to respond to his or her efforts, and they will further 



Fig. 102. 




find that if they pass much beyond the 
usual time, constipation will exhibit itself. 
The habit many have, of reading or 
thinking intently on business or domestic 
affairs, of nursing griefs and taking a re- 
trospect of a gloomy past, or in fact, of en- 
gaging the mind either in reflection or 
diversion, while at stool, tends to retard 
the bowels in the exercise of their func- 
tions, and consequently produces constipa- 
tion. The "Harbinger of Health " very 
sensibly gives utterance to the following 
language on the subject : " Any mental oc- 
cupation foreign to the proper and prompt 
performance of the function, is positively 
The Rectum laid open to show certain to stamp the impress of disease 

its appearance when affected with L L 

files. upon the weakest part ; and, inasmuch as, 

while engaged in this particular function, the vessels and fibres of 
the rectum are distended and principally taxed, so is inattention at 
the time most likely to produce one or more of the above-mentioned 
forms of hemorrhoidal disturbances." By concentrating the will 
upon the parts which expel the faBces, costive persons will find it 
much easier to relieve themselves of excrementitious matter. 

Prominent among the remedial exercises suited to persons affected 
with piles, is horseback- riding. The jolting of the diseased parts 
upon the saddle, quickens circulation, and helps thereby to relieve 
congestion, and when piles are tumorous, it promotes absorption. 
Theodore Parker once facetiously remarked that the " outside of a 
horse is good for the inside of a man." This was said, of course, 
with more especial reference to dyspeptics and those who do not 



FISTULA IN ANO. 399 

take much exercise, for the outside of ahorse is equally good for the 
outside of a man. Ladies would be quite as much benefited by 
horseback-riding as gentlemen, if they would invent some costume 
which would enable them to ride gracefully astride. It is question- 
able whether they derive any greater advantages from equestrian 
exercise than exhilarating joltings and the breathing of the pure at- 
mosphere of heaven. Their cramped-up position on the saddle does 
not allow a free aud easy play of the muscles, such as gentlemen 
experience with both feet in the stirrups, and presenting an untwist- 
ed front. Women have yet to work a reform in this matter. There 
is no good reason why a lady should put one of her limbs to sleep 
over the pommel, and occupy a distorted position every time she 
takes a horseback-ride. While fashion may treat with scorn and 
contempt the suggestion that a woman should ride astride like a man, 
common sense cries out against the present ridiculous custom. 

For external piles, and especially those of a varicose nature, or 
falling of the rectum, the Pile Compresser (see page 911) yields great 
relief and comfort. The effect of the wearing of this ingenious in- 
strument in cases of external piles, is very similar to that produced 
by frequent horseback-riding. The continuous gentle pressure of 
the congested parts serves to relieve them of their painful and some- 
times unendurable distention, and to induce a more natural circula- 
tion of the blood in them. For those who have not the time or 
means to indulge in equestrian exercise, and particularly for ladies 
who are compelled by King Custom to so seat themselves on the 
saddle as to derive little advantage therefrom, the Pile Compresser 
is invaluable. Even if under skillful treatment for the removal of 
both the disease and its cause, something is needed to give relief 
while the good work is going on, for piles cannot be permanently 
cured in a few weeks under any system of treatment, unless driven 
in by injudicious local embrocations. Then, there are persons ad- 
vanced in life, who cannot be cured, and who, consequently, require 
something to render them comfortable. To such I would most 
urgently recommend the Pile Compresser ; while those of all ages, 
suffering with falling of the rectum or bowel who adopt it, will pro- 
nounce this mechanical invention an inestimable blessing. 

Fistula in Ano 
Is a troublesome and dangerous affection, which is liable to result 
from neglected or badly treated piles. It may also occur in persons 




400 DISEASES OF LIVER, STOMACH, AND BOWELS, 

of scrofulous diathesis without the provocation of any previous dis^ 
ease in the anus or rectum. It commences not far from the anus, 
and usually announces its approach by itching, or pain, or uneasiness, 
although in some cases no unpleasant symptom is experienced until 
it begins to discharge its purulent matter, and then this discharge 
may be the only evidence of its existence. So long as it has but one 
opening it is called incomplete, but when the abscess has proceeded 
so far as to penetrate the rectum, or any other cavity, it is said to be 
complete. The annexed cut, figure 103, represents a complete fistula 
in ano. Sometimes it has several openings into the rectum or other 
parts, and the canal is in some cases so 

Fii? 103 

complete as to have a lining almost like 
the mucous membrane. I once had a 
case of fistula which opened perfect com- 
munication between the rectum and the 
urethra, so that at stool some of the fluid 
portion of the faeces passed out of the 
mouth of the penis. When the abscess 
is active, large quantities of purulent 

COMPLETE FISTULA IN ANO. ,, ~ • 11 j 1 

matter issue therefrom, especially at stool 
when it is pressed by the descending faeces. When much inflamma- 
tion is present the affection is terribly painful. 

In all cases of fistula, the blood should receive the first attention 
of the physician, and the knife should be the last resort, because if 
the latter be employed, it still remains necessary to purify the blood, 
or the fistula, or an abscess of some kind will return. It would con- 
sequently seem the more sensible plan in all cases, to have suitable 
blood-treatment at the outset. This may suffice to cure the diffi- 
culty. If it does not, neither time nor money will have been unne- 
cessarily wasted, because the constitutional treatment cannot be 
safely dispensed with, however successful the operation. I have 
succeeded in curing fistula in ano, with blood-purifying medicines 
alone, after noted surgeons had expressed a decided opinion that 
nothing but the knife could possibly remove the local affection. 

Stricture of the Rectum 
Is an annoying and generally painful affection which may result 
from neglected obstinate constipation, local inflammation, cancer 
or syphilitic ulcers, or anything which causes an abrasion or great 



DISEASES OF THE RECTUM. £01 

irritation in the lining of the canal. The stricture may consist of a 
thickening of the walls of the rectum, causing a partial obliteration 
of the canal; adhesion of some portions of the walls, after the heal- 
ing of abrasions or abscesses ; or it may be caused by indolent tumors 
forming therein, or remaining after a severe attack of piles. Stricture 
of the rectum is a most troublesome difficulty, because it obstructs 
the passage of the excrementitious matter, and in some cases to such 
a degree as to prove fatal. The symptoms attending stricture in 
this locality are — difficulty in passing faeces even when v they are soft 
and pliable ; passage of faeces in small fragments, sometimes streaked 
with blood ; and, when caused by thickening of the walls of the 
rectum, the expulsion of narrow flattened faeces. In a case of 
stricture of the rectum, both constitutional and local treatment are 
necessary, and the patient cannot do better than to rely wholly upon 
the advice of the physician in whom he may entertain confidence. 
In cases living at a distance, the author can give such directions as 
will enable the patient to administer the necessary local treatment 
himself, or herself. 

Falling of the Rectum. 

The technical name given to this troublesome affection is prolap- 
sus ani. It consists of a falling or protrusion of the bowels. In 
gome cases of this kind the lining of the rectum protrudes constantly ; 
and in others it only descends at stooL Neglected piles are usually 
the immediate cause of this difficulty ; but in nearly all cases there 
is great weakness, and in some complete paralysis of the sphincter 
muscle, or that ring-like muscle which encircles the anus, and which 
in health closes the orifice at all times except when the excrementi- 
tious matters are being expelled. In a case of prolapsus ani the fall- 
ing of the bowels should be returned carefully by manipulation, and 
the use of some soothing ointment, or common oil, to soften the 
swollen and congested parts while they are being placed back. 
Then a pile compresser (see page 911), should be adjusted, and treat- 
ment at once adopted calculated to strengthen the sphincter muscle, 
stimulate healthful circulation in the lining of the rectum, and to 
remove whatever may be the inciting cause. 

Ulceration of the Bowels. 

Ulcerations are liable to take place in any part of the body w r her? 
any thing like a scrofulous or a syphilitic taint exists in the system* 



402 DISEASES OF LIVEB ; STOMACH ; AND BOWELS. 

Chronic ulcer of the stomach is perhaps more frequent than ulcera- 
tion of the bowels, but the most common, if least serious, ulcer 
occurs at the anus, and is quite analogous toa" crack in the lip " of 
the mouth. It is called " anal fissure," and is painful out of all pro- 
portion to its size, the pain being sharp and severe during stooling, 
and continuing long after. Bleeding may occur with it. It is prac- 
tically incurable while constipation lasts, owing to the wear and 
tear of its situation, and even when the bowels move comfortably 
it is often obstinate. Anodyne ointments relieve; lunar caustic 
touching stimulates healing action ; a knife operation is sometimes 
necessary ; but with this, as in cases of ulceration elsewhere, there 
is a fault in the blood which must be corrected to encourage nature's 
own reparative processes. 

Another very distressing disease of this part, often with very little 
to show for it, but generally due to more or less local eczema, is 
obstinate itching, or pruritus ani, which may either disturb sleep 
at night or make its victim uneasy all day. It is due to either the 
visible, local lesion, to irritating (unnatural) secretions from the in- 
testines, or worms, or in some cases it seems to be purely nervous. 
All these anal troubles may be considerably relieved by appropriate 
local treatment, but removal of the particular cause in each case 
is the only means of permanent relief. 

Intestinal Parasites. 

It is not pleasant to think of, but the fact is that men as well as 
animals are prone to be wormy, and the number and variety of 
parasites that find a home along the course of the alimentary canal 
is almost legion ; but the common forms that most folks need to 
know something about are the long, round worms, the little pin- 
worms, and several kinds of curious tape-worms. If adults and 
children would be more particular about what they eat and drink, 
there would be far less complaint on account of worms. If all 
maintained a first-class digestion, and clean blood and secretions, 
these internal vermin would have less opportunity to take up their 
abode and thrive and breed. The appendix of this book gives some 
good formula? for routing them out. Injections of salt and water, 
quassia water or sweet oil are useful in drowning out pin- worms, 
but they are very persistent, and the victim must be more so. As 
to tape-worms, a book as large as this would be required to tell all 



INTESTINAL WORMS. 403 

that is known of the various kinds; but the man who has one 
generally seems to want to know nothing of his tenant except how 
to be well rid of him-and-her— for it is hermaphrodite. A recipe 
for cooking a hare started out with " First catch the hare ;" and so, 
before beginning to take medicine to dislodge a tape- worm, it is 
wise to catch enough of one to prove its presence. It is produced 
in sections, or joints, which may prolong it to a length of forty feet, 
and these break off, and come away separately or in ribbons. A 
single large joint is an inch long by a quarter of an inch wide, 
slimy, soft, and white, but without head or tail. A few such cap- 
tures are enough to make a diagnosis, but many persons with bowel 
disturbances and " queer rumblings/' or "gnawing feelings," have 
the notion that they have tape-worm instead of having the thing 
itself. Dyspepsia and bowel irritations of the ordinary kind are 
aggravated by the rather severe dosing necessary to dislodge a tape- 
worm, and the treatment should be avoided except where really 
required. Tape-worms are provided with a wonderful arrangement 
of suckers or hooks about the head, which enable them to hold on 
for "dear life" (no doubt life is dear to them), and so long as the 
head clings to the lining membrane of the human intestine, it can 
go on producing " sections" and piecing itself out. So the passing 
away of parts day after day means little loss to the worm — that's 
his business — and little gain to the patient — who grows impatient. 
To sunder these relations of house-owner and tenant requires a dose 
of something that will paralyze Mr. Taenia — knock him senseless — 
and then a brisk cathartic to sweep head and tail all out in one fell 
swoop. If it happens to be truly tcenia solium (solitary), nothing 
remains to be done but repair the damages to the premises by a 
suitable course of treatment ; but there are some people who pro- 
vide quarters for two or more such tenants, and more than one writ 
of ejectment may be necessary. Anyone afflicted with a trouble- 
some customer of this kind, or with some obstinate disease of the 
class treated of in this chapter, may consult the author in person or 
by letter, and further information or advice will be cordially given. 







CHAPTER IV. 

ACHES AND PAINS. 

F the all aches and pains that afflict a few people, 

were distributed among the many, there would be 
one constant ache apiece for everybody, including 
the domestic animals of the household. There are 
as many heart-aches among young misses, as there 
are headaches among the matrons; and as many 
back-aches among dissipated young men, as there are brain- 
aches in the counting-rooms of opulent merchants, or the 
offices of overworked lawyers. There are, in brief, acres of 
aches on either side of life's pathway. It is necessary to 
walk a line as narrow as a crack to avoid them. 

Then, of plains, how many of them are so concentrated, so double- 
distilled, that one person could spare enough to set a whole family 
in contortions, and not cease himself to make involuntary grimaces 
at the contented cat under the table, or the complaisant dog on the 
door-step; nor hesitate to wish he had been born feline or canine. 
Considering, therefore, the quantity and concentrated quality of the 
pains, and the variety of the aches which afflict humanity, the author 
shrinks from any attempt in this chapter to circumvent many of 
them, and will consequently content himself to speak oFless than 
half a dozen of those most commonly met with in e very-day life, 
while promising to give his attention unremittingly in practice to the 
alleviation of aches and pains of every description. 

Bilious Headache. 

Had I not recently heard of a child just born out West without a 

visible head-— the mouth, breathing passages, and eyes being located 

in the chest— I should start out in this essay with the unqualified 

statement that nobody ever lived without sometime having had 



BILIOUS HEADACHE. 



405 



headache. As the child alluded to must be an exception, and, as 
there may have been other children born in the same likeness, to say 
nothing of some people who behave very much as if they were head- 
less, I must limit my statistical assertion by saying that all having 
visible heads, and, with heads, symptoms of brains, have had, and 
are liable to have, headache, if they live conformably to the con- 
ventionalities of the civilized portion of our planet. 

Bilious headache is the most common. What produces it? I 
can tell you in a few words. The liver in health extracts from tLe 
blood certain properties which, when collected together, constitute 
bile — a carbonaceous, soapy compound which, poured into the 
duodenum, becomes one of the agents of digestion, as described m 
the beginning of the foregoing chapter. When, therefore, the liver 
becomes so diseased as not to do this, the blood becomes loaded 
with these bilious properties, and the digestion becomes in a measure 
impaired. These irritating matters in the blood visit the head as 
well as other portions of the body, and coming within sensible con- 
tact with the delicate nerves therein, cause irritations which mako 
themselves felt in the form of aches ; and these aches are aggravated 
by the disturbed digestion en- 
suing from the absence of the 
bilious properties from the 
lower stomach. The bile is 
just where it is not wanted. 
In the duodenum it is useful ; 
in the circulation it is a mis- 
chief-maker; and while neg- 
lecting its own business, it is 
meddling with that of others ; 
a result not unfrequently met 
with when people do not 
attend to their own affairs. 

There is still another way in 
which bilious headache of a 
periodical kind may be pro- 
duced. In some constitutions, 
the accumulation of bile in the 
circulation causes little else 
but drowsiness or heaviness, 



Fig. 104. 




HEADACHE. 



until all at once a crisis arrives, 



406 ACHES AND PAINS. 

the liver suddenly awakens from its inaction, and takes np and 
pours into the lower stomach, bile in such immoderate quantities as 
to irritate the duodenum, causing it to contract and eject quantities 
of the irritating fluid into the upper stomach where the food is first 
received after passing the mouth and the oesophagus. The presence 
of this intruder causes intolerable nausea or sickness, and such $ 
disturbance of the stomach nerves, that the nerves of the head 
become involved, producing what i3 commonly called sick-headache, 
?vhich usually continues until relief is obtained by vomiting. "When 
the bile is entirely removed from the stomach by this effort, tho 
headache disappears. If in any case, or at any time, the duodenum 
can prevent this reverse action, and carry the deluge of bilious matter 
downward into the intestines, bilious diarrhoea instead of headache 
takes place. It is for this reason that some persons subject to sick- 
headache are also liable to bilious diarrhoea, and it will be noticed 
in such cases that the attack of headache passes by, or presents 
itself very slightly, when the bilious matter takes this course. 

Nearly all persons subject to bilious headache have sallow com- 
plexions derived from the influence of the bilious matter in the 
circulation, and usually, too, they are greatly annoyed with drowsi- 
ness during the day, and with a predisposition to restlessness at 
night; while those who do drop off to sleep without difficulty 
awaken in the morning with the remark, that they have slept too 
soundly, and feel uncomfortably in consequence. Bad tasting, 
bitter mouth, also frequently contributes to the discomfort of bilious 
people, because the blood, overloaded with bile, allows some of these 
bitter, nauseous properties to sweat through the mucous membrane 
lining the mouth and stomach as well as through the external skin ; 
and when the coatings of the stomach are covered with this un- 
wholesome secretion, the tongue usually presents a yellow, furred 
appearance. This internal bilious perspiration often destroys the 
purity of the breath, just as the external perspiration in such cases 
renders the effluvium disagreeable; but the latter is not so readily 
noticed because it passes off more diffusively from the whole surface 
of the body, while the former is thrown out with each exhalation in 
a concentrated stream from the breathing passages. 

No person need suffer with bilious headache. Because it is not 
regarded fatal, many people who pay thousands of dollars for fine 
houses, nice furniture t sumptuous tables, and other creature com- 



NERVOUS HEADACHE. 407 

forts, go through life with this discomfort, which greatly disqualifies 
them for the enjoyment of the things they provide so lavishly for 
the enjoyment of themselves and friends. If they would stop for a 
moment to reflect upon it, they would see how much more they 
would enjoy were they to drop off a few superfluities, if necessary, 
and make an appropriation for "internal improvements;" for, not- 
withstanding all political wrangles on this topic, I can confidently 
assure them that in all cases of this kind, it is strictly " constitu- 
tional." A little attention to the liv-er as well as the liv-ing would 
result in greater comfort and happiness than is now enjoyed hy 
thousands in all conditions of life. Those persons laboring under a 
predisposition to bilious headache, who accept this proposition, are 
commended to a perusal of the essay on the liver in the preceding 
chapter. 

Nervous Headache. 

It is seldom that headache exists without liver derangements ; but 
cases occur in which the difficulty arises purely from nervous dis- 
turbances. Incipient neuralgia may present all the symptoms of 
nervous headache. The affection of the nerves not having proceeded 
far enough to induce irritation or inflammation sufficient to cause 
distinct neuralgic pains, the sensations are those which are best 
described by the term ache. Overworked brain may induce nerv- 
ous headache, or establish a predisposition to its attacks. The nerves 
as well as the muscles may be overstrained by over-exercise, and in 
such cases they will cry out, and their voice will be an ache or a 
pain. The brain actually swells in some cases from over-exercise. I 
have had for patients authors and professional men and women, 
whose main difficulty might with propriety be called swelled brain. 
Overwork of any particular part or organ of the body may bring 
about inflammation and congestion, and consequently enlargement. 
The brain is not an exception to this rule, and when it is thus 
affected, the bony frame- work called the skull, will not allow much 
expansion of its contents, in consequence of which a sense of great 
pressure and aching will be experienced, together with labored 
pulsation of its arteries. This sense of pressure is more often ex- 
perienced in the top of the head than elsewhere, but sometimes 
there seems to be a sense of pressure throughout the brain. 

People not subject to neuralgia, or given to excessive mental 



408 ACHES AND PAINS, . : 

labor, may in some instances be predisposed to nervous headacbe. 
Grief, disappointment, and other excessive mental emotions may 
occasion it ; too much use of the eyes may induce it ; when the optic 
nerve is weak or irritable, sunlight or gaslight may bring on an 
attack; if the auditory or hearing nerves are much affected, dis- 
agreeable noises may cause nervous headache ; an affection of the 
spine may predispose a person to it ; morbid conditions of the pro- 
creative organs of both sexes are liable to disorder the brain and 
develop a tendency to headache; and, lastly, it may be caused by a 
bad circulation of the nervous forces, or a deficiency of them. In the 
latter case when nervous vitality is low, the brain lacks strength and 
becomes tired by the slightest care, or the most ordinary thinking, 
just as the limbs, when weak, may become so tired by a little walk- 
ing as to ache like toothache when the person so affected sits or lies 
down after exercise. For nervous headache there is nothing so 
salutary as the kind of medication referred to on page 299, 

Congestive Headache. 

This kind of headache is most liable to affect people who are 
fleshy and full-blooded. The arteries and veins of those who are so 
fat that their skins are stuffed to their fullest capacity of expansion, 
are often so crowded as to circulate the blood very sluggishly, and in 
such cases the head is liable to ache from the presence of too much 
sluggishly moving blood. When a person thus affected stoops over, 
the head swims on assuming an upright position ; and when head- 
ache is constantly present, there is experienced a sense of fullness ; a 
predisposition to vertigo ; and, in some cases, throbbing in the tem- 
ples and over the eyes. People thus affected should pursue a course 
of medication calculated to thin the blood ; and pursue a course of 
dietetics and exercise calculated to reduce the plethora. 

In lean persons, congestive headache is sometimes a troublesome 
companion, proceeding from an imperfect circulation. In these cases, 
while the extremities are cold, and the veins in them almost collapsed 
by the absence of the vascular fluids, the brain is unduly sup- 
plied and pressed with blood. A good remedy for this is given in 
the essay for keeping the feet warm, in the chapter on the prevention 
of disease. 

Women are sometimes victims of periodical attacks of congestive 
headache when they are subject to menstrual derangements. The 



NEURALGIA. 



409 



blood, instead of flowing off at the proper period, determines to the 
head and face, giving to the latter a flushed or florid appearance, and 
to the former a sense of pressure which often amounts to severe 
headache. Women are especially liable to these attacks, when the 
function, generally known by the name of the ''monthly flow,' 1 is 
just about being established ; and when that period arrives in older 
womanhood, commonly called u change of life ," but there are those 
who suffer at every recurrence of the menses, with flashed face and 
congestive headache. The only remedy is, of course, to give such 
medical attention to the ovaries and womb, and to the extremities 
if cold, as will eradicate the causes. It is hardly necessary to say 
that menstrual difficulties proceed from disease, and are natural to 
no one. In women of health the flow will come on with little or no 
warning in the way of pain, and at the age for it to cease, it will 
simply tail to appear, with no symptom whatever of discomfort. 



105. 



Neuralgia. 

Neuralgia is a disease of the nerves, and may affect any part of th« 
nervous system, although it most commonly attacks the nerves oi 
the face, jaws, breast, and feet. Its 
presence is announced by the most 
piercing, darting pains, recurring in 
paroxysms, followed with brief inter- 
vals of relief; but hardly a moment 
elapses after a lacerating pain darts 
along the course of the affected nerve, 
ere another shoots forth, inflicting 
pain equally distressing to the patient. 

The annexed cut presents in the 
prominent black lines the nerves of the 
fifth branch, which are most liable to 
attacks of neuralgia. Many a victim to 
the distressing disease will be able to 
recognize in those lines the tracks of 
the pains which so often afflict them. 

The pathology of this disease is about as little understood by the 
medical profession as the science of aerial navigation. As well 
might a person look into patent-medicine almanacs, Robinson Crusoe, 
or the yellow-covered literature of the day, for a correct explanu- 
18 




V -Mr 




FACIAL NEEVES. 



410 ACHES AND PAINS. 

tion of the nature of the disease, as into the pages of medical pub* 
lications. Medical authors generally attribute its cause to nervous 
debility. What is nervous debility ? Why, it is simply a relaxed 
and enfeebled condition of the system resulting from an insufficient 
supply of nervous vitality. Persons so affected are troubled with 
lack of strength and want of vivacity or animation. Now every one 
knows that neuralgia is often found among persons of robust appear- 
ance, who have a fair degree of strength, and that it sometimes 
manifests itself in those possessing extraordinary muscular power 
and physical vigor. How can this fact be accounted for, if nervous 
debility be the cause ? 

Now, then, let us take a common sense view of the disease. An 
impure condition of the blood, or the presence in the system of some 
poisonous mineral, like mercury or lead, may cause inflammation in 
any nerve which the impurity or mineral may attack, and when the 
nerve is attacked by either, so that there is danger of the nervous 
communication being blocked up, the available nervous forces are 
gathered up and suddenly precipitated at intervals upon the ob- 
structed nerve by the efforts of nature to keep the communication 
open. These violent propulsions of the nervous forces through the 
inflamed nerve, cause the sharp darting pains. Nature always at- 
tempts to get rid of any functional intruder. This is illustrated 
when something gets in the eye ; a sudden gush of liquid from the 
tear-glands, attempts to carry it out. If something offensive to 
the olfactory nerves, or not suitable to breathe into the lungs, enters 
the nose, an involuntary sneeze takes place for its removal, or, at 
ieast, to prevent its entering the pulmonary organs. If the stomach 
is crammed with a mixture of unwholesome food, nature often visits 
upon the careless gormandizer a diarrhoea to carry it off. If corro- 
sive or acrimonious secretions of the bronchial tubes roll down to- 
ward the air- vesicles of the lungs, a cough involuntarily takes place 
to bring them up. Now, all these efforts of nature to effect relief, 
may sometimes not only prove unavailing, but go too far, unless 
remedies are resorted to for the removal of the intrusion which she 
has faithfully tried to dispose of. The tears may flow too copiously 
or too continuously ; the sneezing may become convulsive and pain- 
ful ; the diarrhoea may become excessive, continuous, and debilita- 
ting ; and the cough may become rasping, exhaustive, and alarming. 
So with the precipitation, of the nervous forces on the nerves at' 



RHEUMATISM. 4H 

tacked by unwholesome humors or mineral poisons, which threaten 
to cut off communication through those nerves; it may become too 
painful, too continuous, and even threatening, unless remedies are 
adopted to assist nature in getting rid of the offensive visitors ; bufc 
that natural effort, that sharp-shooting of the nervous forces through 
the invaded and inflamed nerves for the expulsion of the invaders, 
that, I say, is neuralgia. Neuralgia is a regular pitched battle be- 
tween the forces circulating through the nerves and the offensive 
humors or minerals which attempt to obstruct their pathway, and 
when they are defeated, paralysis of the parts follows, for the nerves 
of sensation, or motion, or both, become lifeless when the passage 
of animal electrical currents is completely obstructed. Sometimes 
the warfare will be kept up for years, at intervals, unless something 
sensible is done to assist nature. The assistance needed, is readily 
suggested by a proper understanding of the disease as herein ex- 
plained. If blood impurities are attacking the nerves, remedies 
suitable to cleanse and nourish the vascular fluid, must be taken by 
the patient at the same time electricity is being locally applied to 
relieve the painful paroxysms and the inflammation w T hich has taken 
place in the affected nerve. If mineral poisons are lurking in the 
system and permeate the delicate nervous structure, the electro-chemi- 
cal baths, skillfully administered, are necessary to remove the cause, 
and electrical applications or medication, according to the indications 
of the case, essential for a cure of the effects. The advances made in 
the science of electrical therapeutics have placed neuralgia in the 
list of curable diseases, notwithstanding the bigoted carpings of allo- 
pathic old fogies, many of whom even at this late day, deny its cura- 
bility ; and why? Simply because they have not been able, with 
their obtuse comprehension, to see into the occult science suffi- 
ciently to successfully employ it in the treatment of the more diffi- 
cult ills which afflict mankind. I would refer those suffering with 
neuralgia to pages 299 and 594. 

Rheumatism. 
The theory of this disease has never been stated in a manner to 
suit me, and so I prefer to offer my own explanation instead of quot- 
ing the written views of medical writers respecting its cause. As 
sensible a description of this painful affection as any that has fallen 
under my eye, was given awhile ago in "All The Year Bound." The 



412 



ACHES AND PAINS. 



Fig. 106. 



writer says — " Put your toe in a vice ; turn the screw until you can 
bear the pain no longer ; that is rheumatism. Give the screw one 
more turn — that is gout." When this book was first written, I, too, 
misled by popular errors, gave a very imperfect idea of the real 
nature of the disease, but my experience and success in treating it 
has, I am. confident, suggested to my mind the correct pathology. In 
this revision I feel constrained to substitute a new essay for the old 
one, and in submitting it to my intelligent readers, I feel confident it 
will be accepted as rational and sensible. 

It must be understood by the reader that the arterial blood con- 
tains the elements of vitality and nutrition, which it empties into 

what is called the capillary sys- 
tem. This capillary system is a 
kind of filterer of the blood, and 
after the nutritious particles 
have been filtered from the arte- 
rial fluid the latter is sucked up 
by the minute branches of the 
venous system, and carried back 
to the lungs for vital recuper- 
ation. Then the atoms of nutri- 
tion, composed of fluid bone, 
fluid muscle, etc., move by the 
laws of affinity to the various 
parts they are adapted to build 
up. Now, it so happens that 
through the effects of bad hab- 
its, bad medication, etc., this 
stream of blood emptied into 
and diffused through the capil- 
lary system is not always pure 
or free from inflammatory particles. There are corrupt and corrosive 
adulterations. What becomes of them ? They, too, are emptied 
into the capillaries and are sucked up with the venous blood into 
the veins, so that they continue in the circulation, or else pass off 
with the insensible perspiration outwardly, or with the waste matter 
of the system inwardly. But the coagulation of several of these 
corrupt particles is apt to take place whenever the pores of the skin 
are closed by exposure to wet or cold or other causes, or the internal 




RHEUMATISM. 



RHEUMATISM. 413 

drainage and sewerage are inactive. These coagulated particles of 
corrupt matter may make their appearance under the skin, produc- 
ing pustules, scaly eruptions, or running sores. They may attack the 
skin called the mucous membrane, lining the throat, bronchia, 
stomach, and other cavities. They may locate about a nerve and 
induce neuralgia, as explained in the preceding essay, and — now we 
come to it — they may attach themselves to the arterial tubes and 
veins, large or small, and inflame them by their corrosive influence. 
Mercury often forms a part of these coagulated particles of acrimoni- 
ous matter, and any other injurious mineral may do so. The lodg- 
ment of these and the inflammation they induce, render the channels 
of the blood sensitive, and the circulation of the vital current through 
these affected parts becomes painful, just as it is painful to drink 
when the throat is sore ; to pass the faeces when the rectum is affected 
with piles ; to pass the urine when the urethra is inflamed or other- 
wise diseased. What does nature do now? She sends blood in 
abundance to drench out or dislodge, if possible, these corrosive 
particles, and the parts become very red from the congestion or 
pressure of blood therein. This is called acute rheumatism. What if 
nature does not succeed in washing out these acrimonious atoms ? 
She withdraws the undue supply of the blood from the parts, gives 
up the contest, and continues to perform the function of circulation 
as best she can, but the passage of the currents of blood through 
their affected channels still continues painful. This is called chronic- 
rheumatism. "When the seat of the affection changes in a single 
day, night, or hour, as it often does, then it is that these corrosive 
quicksands have been washed from one position to another. By a 
sudden dislodgment they may be carried by the circulation to some 
part far distant from the place they previously annoyed. Now, who 
will say that here is not, in few words, the whole philosophy of that 
painful disease called rheumatism ? 

As my successful treatment of the disease suggested the theory, 
the theory in turn points to the correct treatment. Any thing which 
will dislodge the corrupt particles, dissolve and expel them from the 
system, and purify the blood, will give permanent relief. Electricity 
well applied, in conjunction with the administration of blood-purify- 
ing medicines, will do this. Or electrical medication (see page 299) 
will usually do as well. Many think they are cured when the 
coagulated particles are merely dissolved and dispersed. But such 



414 ACHES AND PAINS. 

cures are never permanent. They must be expelled and the blood 
restored, or the corrosive particles will reunite whenever a sudden 
change in the weather or exposure to dampness closes again the 
pores or other avenues through which they escape; for so long as the 
blood remains impure, so long will the circulation, the insensible 
perspiration, the faeces and urine be loaded with those which daily 
accumulate. 

A careful regard to air, exercise, and diet, should be observed by 
the sufferer with chronic rheumatism. A dry atmosphere is of the 
utmost importance, and dry stove-heat is far preferable to the damp 
atmosphere out of doors on a rainy day. In dry weather, out-of- 
door exercise is exceedingly beneficial, and if the invalid is so 
badly affected as to preclude the possibility of walking, carriage rid- 
ing should be resorted to. The diet should be regulated according 
to the general condition of the patient, the digestive capacities, and 
the stage of the disease. In plethoric persons of so-called "full 
habit," plenty of rich red blood and tendency to be fleshy, a diet of 
fruits, grains, and especially succulent (watery) vegetables is prefer- 
able, and such diet is generally advisable where the digestion is 
pretty good, and the rheumatism affects the muscles, or mainly the 
smaller joints, as in rheumatic gout. In chronic cases, where the 
tendency is to poor nutrition, anaemia, pale lips, leanness, and gen- 
eral debility, a meat diet may be the best, and more especially when 
vegetables are likely to cause sour stomach. As all rheumatism is 
more or less allied to disorders of digestion and assimilation, the 
peculiarities of each case should be carefully observed with a view 
of selecting a simple, nutritious diet that shall best agree with the 
stomach, and in many acute cases the duration of the disease can 
often be shortened by great abstinence — the starving-out plan. 

Much might be said of the unhealthf ul conditions that favor the 
production and accumulation in the blood of irritating poisons 
which, according to their kind or quality, may be the cause of 
rheumatism, neuralgia, headaches, and so forth, but this would 
require a long chapter in itself, explaining the operations of the 
vital organs in health, and their perverted action in disease. This 
may be found in a pamphlet by Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr., on " Auto-tox- 
aemia," which explains the method of self -blood-poisoning by which 
a great variety of blood impurities become developed through dis- 
order of the digestive and eliminative organs. 




CHAPTEK Y. 
AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 



T is no slight undertaking to get through this world 
with a pair of good eyes, and a brace of ready ears. 
Nor do those people get along very well who do not 
" keep their eyes and ears open." To have any 
thing like a fair chance in love or trade, two eyes 
are as few as anybody can well do with. The 
schoolmaster, the man who enters "Wall Street, the woman 
of great personal beauty, the widow of wealth, the reputed 
millionaire, and the mother of twelve children, need eyes 
all around them, and ears as long as those of that much 
abused animal which is accused of having had a hand in the inven- 
tion of the mule. A medical work would therefore be incomplete 
without a chapter upon the affections of the eyes and ears. 

Old Eyes. 

When anybody begins to hold his book or newspaper at an un- 
usual distance from him, it is said that his eyes are getting old. 
The difficulty is technically called presbyopia, and by some people 
k - Far-sight ;" but I have chosen for the title of this essay, " Old 
Eyes," as it will be better understood; and under it I will present 
some suggestions which will receive a cordial welcome by all sensi- 
ble people whose eyesight is becoming impaired by age. Those 
who imagine that it adds to the dignified appearance of a lady or 
gentleman to have the eyes hidden behind convex glasses, and the 
head nearly encircled with golden bows, cannot bo expected to pur- 
sue the subject of this essay with interest. Happily the latter class 
is in a decided minority compared with those who dislike the 
adoption of any and all paraphernalia indicating the approach of 
age and infirmity. If any species of vanity is excusable, it is that 



416 



AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 



Fig. 10T. 



which leads an individual to adopt every means science and art 
have provided, to overcome or even disguise the infirmities of age. 
If age is venerable, youth is desirable and admirable, and every one 
may be pardoned for striving to preserve vigor of eye and limb, and 
even the pristine beauty of skin and feature. Admiration irresist- 
ibly takes possession of the mind when we see an old person of 
either sex, who has preserved from infirmity the mental faculties 
and physical energies. And such persons are morally deserving of 
this admiration as a reward for having properly used and taken care 
of, instead of abused and neglected, the mysterious powers a good 
God has planted in the mind and body of his most perfect work — 

man. But that vanity which 
leads young persons to seek to 
appear prematurely infirm, 
gives positive evidence of their 
possession of one infirmity at 
least, i. £., mental imbecility. 
If these premises are correct, 
we may logically conclude 
that the wearing of glasses or 
spectacles is certain evidence 
of infirmity. Either the eyes 
are defective or the mind is 

1, 1, 1, 1, the sclerotic membrane, or what is -, , , , . ,, , , , 

usually called the white of the eye; 2, 2, the demented, and m the latter 

cornea; 3, 3, 3, 3, the retina; 4, crystalline lens ; case, it would be better to in- 
5, 5, iris; the aqueous humor which forms the case the whole face in calf- 
aqueous lens occupies the space between the i • .r , i r.i »•■. 

, . ~ K , ., » o * -* «. 4. • skin than to merely hide the 

iris, 5, 5, and the cornea, 2, 2 ; 6, 6, the posterior > J 

or back chamber of the eye, which is filled with eyes behind transparent glass, 
the vitreous humor. As yet unfortunately, sci- 

ence has revealed no certain means for the cure of the too great 
convexity or sharpness of the organs of vision, and therefore near- 
sighted people are entirely excusable for employing concave lenses 
to aid their imperfect vision ; but when the fact becomes generally 
known that long- sight, requiring the use of convex lenses, such as 
old people wear, in most cases may be prevented or removed with 
very little expense and trouble, may we not hope that glasses will 
less frequently cover the eyes of people in middle and advanced 
life. 

Before proceeding further with this subject, the non-professional 




VERTICAL SECTION OP THE EYE. 



OLD EYES. 4^7 

reader should be made acquainted with the organs of vision. What 
is the eye ? What are its functions, and how does it perform the 
mysterious office of seeing? The human eye, taken as a whole, 
may be regarded as a globe ; and although it cannot, like the planet, 
be divided into eastern and western hemispheres, it may nevertheless 
be divided into hemispheres which are subject to many subdivisions. 
The several parts of the eye necessary to be defined for the purposes 
of this essay are the sclerotic covering of the globe, to which should 
be added the cornea, the two lenses — aqueous and crystalline — the 
vitreous humor, the retina, and the optic nerve. Reference to figure 
107, and its explanations, will enable the reader to learn the location 
of these. The sclerotic is a firm, fibrous, opaque, or untransparent 
membrane, covering and protecting four fifths of the globe, while 
the cornea, of a dark hue, covers and protects the balance, or front, 
central portion of the globe. At the center of the cornea is a trans- 
parency of the size of, or perhaps somewhat larger than, a pin's 
head, through which light is admitted into the dark chamber of the 
eye. This cornea also forms the anterior or front capsule of the 
aqueous lens, convex in form, so as to converge or bring together the 
rays of light as they pass this medium more dense than the atmos- 
phere. Behind the aqueous or fluid lens is located the crystalline lens, 
the capsules of which are of a firm, delicate, transparent texture, and 
its face convex, so as to still more converge or bring together the rays 
of light which have passed through the aqueous lens. The retina lies 
in the posterior or back hemisphere of the globe, as represented in 
figure 107, and presents a concave or hollow surface, upon which to 
receive rays of light, giving the form or image of any object the eyes 
are turned upon. If the two lenses — aqueous and crystalline, are 
neither too greatly nor too slightly convex, a perfect image of any 
object presented, is daguerreotyped on the retina, as represented 
in figure 108. If too convex, the image is formed before it reaches 
the retina, as shown in figure 109, and the person is near-sighted, so 
that objects must be held close to the eye to throw the image far 
enough back to produce the perfect picture on the retina ; if flattened 
or not sufficiently convex, the retina is not far enough back to 
receive a perfect image of near objects, and the latter must be 
removed away a suitable distance, to have the picture of the imago 
fall correctly on the retina (see figure 110.) Persons thus affected are 
lonir-sighted, and their eyes are said to be impaired by age. 
IS* 



ilg AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 

It remains to speak of the optic nerve. This nerve is attached to 
the retina, or more properly speaking, the retina is a continuation or 
expansion of the optic nerve. It perforates the sclerotic back of the 
eye, enters the cranium and connects with the sensorium, by means 
of which, as by a telegraph wire, intelligence is communicated to 
the brain of the various images which are from time to time formed 

Fig. 108. 




AN EYE WITH PROPER CONVEXITY. 

/*, is the object seen ; Z>, the cornea, which catches the rays of light reflecting the image 
of the object; c, the image properly focalized on the retina. 

on the retina, and made mysteriously to pass before the mind's eye. 
So far, we are allowed to understand how vision is effected ; but 
after having fully pursued the philosophy of the material we come 
to the spiritual, and here philosophy must end and faith begin. 

Now, the several parts of the eye when put together, form an 
optical instrument — a mechanical machine — which will perform its 

Fig. 109. 





TOO GREAT CONVEXITY, OR SHARPNESS OP THE CORNEA. 

a, object; &, the too convex, or sharp, cornea; c, the rays of light converged, or focalized, 
forming the image before reaching tne retina. A person so affected is called near- 
sighted. 

functions after death, and, what is still more mysterious, after the 
globe has been removed from its socket. Hence it is perceived the 
eye is so organized as to receive and converge, or draw near together 
the rays of light, and thus perform the office of glass-lens. Place 
the convex surface of a lens to the solar rays, and those rays will 
be refracted, converged, or in plainer words, bent toward each other, 



OLD ETES. 419 

till they finally reach a focus behind the lens at a greater or less 
distance in proportion to its convexity ; the more convex the sooner 
they will be brought together ; the less convex the more remotely 
will they touch each other. A glass with a flat surface will not 
alter the direction of the rays of light, and if the eyes were flat, 
they could not receive the image of any object unless they were as 
large as the object itself. For instance, to see an elephant near by, 
the eyes would need to be as large as an elephant; and to see a build- 
ing, as large as the building itself. Now, every one can see without 
eyes that it would be inconvenient to carry around such immense 
organs of vision ! A concave glass refracts the rays asunder, and 
were the eyes co be concave, the retina would not be large enough 
to receive the image of an object. It will therefore be perceived 
that the lenses of the eyes should possess just the right degree of 
convexity. 

Fig. no. 




CORNEA TOO FLAT. 

a, the object ; &, the cornea, too flat to converge or draw together the rays of light re- 
flecting the image of the object sufficiently to form the focus on the retina ; c, is where 
the image should be formed, but d, is where the image would fall if the retina were 
there to receive it A person thus affected is called long-sighted. Most old people 
have this difficulty, and they can, consequently, discern objects at a distance better than 
they can those near by. 

Nature, the greatest of architects, in the structure of the eye sel- 
dom makes mistakes. We occasionally meet with those whose eyes 
are too convex, and who, as a consequence, are what is called near- 
sighted; but when the lenses of the eye are too flat for correct 
vision, it may generally be regarded as the result of artificial means, 
such as rubbing the eyes from the nose outwardly, either in washing 
or in frictionizing them when irritated. The theory that it is oc- 
casioned by physical decay has been exploded by modern philoso- 
phers, and has been and can be proven to be false. John Quincy 
Adams preserved the convexity and perfectness of his sight till his 
death (and he died at eighty-one) by pursuing from early age, the 



420 AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 

habit of frequently washing the eyes and making the manipulations 
in so doing, toward instead of from the bridge of the nose. There 
are multitudes of cases of men retaining perfect vision after the 
ravages of time have crippled all the other organs and faculties. 
Some authors claim that presbyopia, or long-sight, is often induced by 
age diminishing the quantity of the aqueous humor, but the fact is, 
that as the aqueous humor decreases in quantity, it increases in den- 
sity, and, inasmuch as increase in density adds to its refractive 
power what may be lost by the lens becoming less convex, is made 
up by its denser quality, so that the perfectness of the vision is 
retained. It is in consequence of this humor being rarer or denser, 
according to its quantity, that a large and small eye of equal con- 
vexity may distinguish objects equally well. By this explanation, 
too, the return of the sight may be accounted for in some old people 
who, after years of long-sightedness, requiring the constant use of 
convex glasses, gradually regain their sight. The rubbing of the 
eyeballs in the wrong direction from childhood, flattens the cornea, 
and then sight becomes defective. But old age brings density to 
the aqueous humor, and the old eyes become as good as new. 

From the foregoing it appears evident that all that is required to 
preserve the sight in perfection till death, unless accident or disease 
destroys the structure or paralyzes the nerves of the visual organs, is 
to sustain the convex form of the eye. Whether or not, simply care 
as to the manner and direction of manipulating it from childhood to 
age be sufficient to do this in all cases, is not only uncertain, but, if 
certain, could prove of no very great practical benefit to the present 
generation. Correct manipulations can neither save the convexity 
of the eyes of those who are just becoming long-sighted, nor restore 
those who are already laboring under the infirmity. To reap the 
benefit of such a custom in middle or advanced life, it must have 
been adopted in the nursery — learned with the ABC, and followed 
up with the persistency which characterizes habits generally. Its 
influence is not sufficiently marked to restore convexity to the eyes 
of those already beginning to experience the inconvenience of flat- 
tened lenses. They require something more potent — something 
which will produce more immediate results. Knowledge regarding 
the tendency of right and wrong manipulations, is of value to those 
who have not yet emerged from childhood, and parents should 
instruct their children according to the hints herein given. Knowl- 



OLE EYES. 421 

edge of this kind will also be serviceable to those who regain the 
convexity of their organs of sight, for art appears ready to come to 
the rescue of those whose vision is already impaired or becoming so. 
We have knife-sharpeners, scissors-sharpeners, and pencil-sharpeners, 
and why not have eye-sharpeners? Every part of the human organ- 
ism is susceptible to physical impressions, except the large bones of 
the osseous structure. Ladies, by wearing tight clothing about the 
waist, acquire small waists; the constant wearing of garters makes 
an indentation in the flesh of the limb, which is noticeable after death ; 
tight-fitting shoes make small feet, as is illustrated by the habits and 
physical characteristics of the Chinese ; tight-fitting rings worn long 
on the finger, produce ineffaceable evidence of their having been 
worn; the common practice of Germans, especially in their " fader 
land," of carrying burdens on their heads, has undoubtedly some- 
thing to do with the proverbial flatness of their craniums ; children 
who get into the habit of reclining exclusively on one side, exhibit 
the effects in formation of the face and head ; the infants of mothers 
who can only nurse them from one breast, are liable to grow up with 
a depression of that side of the face and head which came next to the 
breast during the months they derived their nourishment from the 
mother; the hair will curl if done up in papers or twisted around 
the curling iron ; naturally curly hair, unless we except that incor- 
rigible sort which grows on the head of an Ethiopian, becomes 
straightened by combing and brushing persistently for a time. 
Xow, it is equally true that physical impressions may be made on the 
human eye, and that it can, with a suitable instrument, be restored 
to its proper convexity. This is no mere theory but a fact demon- 
strated by the experience of thousands who have, after years of 
slavery to glasses, been emancipated through the agency of a simple 
mechanical invention. The use of it is perfectly harmless, and can 
in no way whatever injure the visual organs. The trouble of em- 
ploying it, is nothing compared with the daily annoyance of glasses, 
nor is its daily use necessary after a few months, according to the 
length of time the eye has been flattening. Only a very few appli- 
cations are necessary for those who are just beginning to think it 
advisable to adopt spectacles. I would most urgently commend this 
instrument to such persons before they become slaves to glasses, for 
artificial lenses are liable to be laid down anywhere, and at any 
place, to the most aggravating inconvenience of the wearer, while 



422 



AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 



Fig. in. 



the natural lenses, if carefully preserved, are always where they are 
wanted, and never left at home, or the office, or workshop. Those 
who are already enslaved to the spectacle-makers, will need no 
urging to induce them to avail themselves of the discoveries of 
science and art, to overcome their optical infirmity. However 
defective their vision, their eyes will not become tired of reading 
this essay, which they will peruse, from beginning to end, with 
eagerness and pleasure, and hail with gratitude their deliverer. A 
complete history of this remarkable instrument, together with the 
testimony of many who have employed it, interesting to all who 
wear glasses, is given in a pamphlet — " Old Eyes made New." By 
mail, 10c. Enough letters commendatory of its utility have been 
received to fill every page of this book, and in the place above 
referred to, a few will be given as fair specimens of the many in the 

hands of the author. 

Near-sight, or Myopia. 

The foregoing essay gives little but discouragement to a large class 

of people who are affected with 
near-sight. Since I first introduced 
the instrument for restoring far- 
sight, many years ago, I have 
been called upon by swarms of pre- 
tending inventors — some greedy 
— others addle-pated — having in 
their hands some device for flat- 
tening the eye. Of course it is 
not logical to say that side pres- 
sure upon the eye will impart 
convexity, while a flat pressure 
upon the face of the same, will 
not result in causing less con- 
vexity ; but there are two objec- 
tions to the use of instruments? 
for flattening the cornea in cases 
of near-sight. First: near-sight 
is in nearly all cases congenital. 
In other words, those so affected, 
were born with just such eyes, 
and consequently it is more difia- 




THE APPLICATION OP THE FINGERS FOE 
NEAR-SIGHTEDNESS, 



CHRONIC SOKE EYES. 423 

cult to change nature by attempting to flatten such eyes, than it 
is to restore to convexity those which were originally right, but 
have become flattened by age or bad manipulations. Second: no 
instrument can be devised for producing pressure upon the face of 
the eye, so complete as the balls of the fingers. I do not by any 
means deny the utility of pressure upon the face of the eye in cases 
of near-sight; I only call in question the merit of any mechanical 
instrument for that purpose, while reminding all near-sighted per- 
sons that they cannot expect as much nor as speedy benefit from this 
flattening pressure, as far-sighted people receive from the means I 
have devised for restoring the convexity of the eye. Every one 
having a particle of discrimination can see this; but were I near- 
sighted my fingers should always be employed, in my leisure mo- 
ments, by placing the ball of the first finger of my right hand on my 
right eye ; the next one on the bridge of the nose to steady the 
hand ; and the third on the left eye — both eyes being closed. TVith 
the elbow resting on a table, and the head slightly bent forward to 
give an easy position, you have in this way, near-sighted reader, the 
best instrument ever devised for improving your vision, and I would 
urgently advise you to adopt it and use it perseveringly every day, 
though you may perceive no change for the better in three months. 
In time it will affect your sight favorably, and you might as well 
substitute a habit of thus pressing your eyes, for some other habit 
which you are conscious injures you — smoking, perhaps. The press- 
ure may be gentle, and continued at each sitting for fifteen or twenty 
minutes. Illustration, figure 111 represents the position the fingers 
should occupy in the act of imparting this pressure. 

Chronic Sore Eyes. 

The mechanism of the eye is such, that the presence of inflamma- 
tion or congestion in them is exceedingly mischievous. To perform 
its office easily it has to be kept well lubricated. To this end the 
lining of the socket is not only provided with sebaceous glands, but 
over each eye, in the upper part of the cavity it occupies, there is a 
reservoir called the lachrymal gland, which pours out upon the ball 
a fluid slightly mucous and saline ; and, to make the arrangement 
complete, at the inner corner of each eye there is a canal, the orifice 
of which is large enough to admit a bristle, and which in health con- 



424 



AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 



Fig. 112. 



veys off any excess of this fluid, as well as that which has become 
too old to be made useful. These canals connect with the nasal 
duct. To prevent the lachrymal fluid or tears from running down 
over the face of the eye when open, there are a number of minute 
glands along under the edges of the lids which secrete an oily sub- 
stance. This, with the imperceptible pressure of the edges of the 
lids upon the eyes, holds back the watery secretions, which pass 
down around the inner edges (as if eave-troughs confined them) to 
the tear ducts before described. The oil glands at the edges of the 
lids also prevent the latter from becoming a-glued or stuck together 
during sleep. Without them it would be difficult to get the eyes 
open in the morning. Even the eyelashes at their roots have the oily 
secretions common to all hair, which lubricate them, and prevent 
them from becoming adhesive when moistened with the watery 
secretions of the lachrymal glands. In addition to all this ingenious 
and wonderful mechanism, the veins of the eyes in health are too 

small to admit the red corpuscles 
of the blood, and it is by this ar- 
rangement that the whites of the 
eyes in health preserve their clear- 
ness, and the lenses are enriched 
by colorless blood, for otherwise 
the vision would be obstructed by 
specks, spots, patches, etc., even in 
health. 

With the foregoing brief descrip- 
tion of some of the mechanical ar- 
rangements of the eyes, it may be 
readily seen how inflammation or 
any undue pressure of blood upon 
the organs of vision and their immediate surroundings, will interfere 
with the proper performance of their functions. When inflamed, 
red, feverish corpuscles enter the veins ; they redden the sclerotic or 
white of the eye ; they distend the veins of the eyelids and linings 
of the sockets ; they vitiate the secretions of the lachrymal glands, 
or reservoirs over the eyes, making them scalding in their properties ; 
they dry up or make gluey the oily secretions of the glands along the 
edges of the eyelids, and also those which keep the eyelashes from 
becoming matted or stuck together. When all these derangements 




OPHTIIALMY. 



CHRONIC SORE EYES. 425 

take place a person lias what are commonly called sore eyes, and 
technically, ophthalmy. When the difficulty survives the immediate 
cause which precipitated it, whether that immediate cause he cold 
or catarrh, or something getting into the eye, or local infection, or 
contusion, or, if it comes on gradually without any known immediate 
cause, it may be called chronic sore eyes, or chronic ophthalmy. 

Sore eyes induced by a ccld may simply present an inflamed and 
swollen appearance, with a profusion of water, and sensitiveness to 
light ; induced by catarrh, similar symptoms with an exudation of 
unwholesome mucus; induced by something entering the eye, sore- 
ness, and sometimes great pain attended with an excessive flow of 
the lachrymal fluid; induced by contusion, similar symptoms to 
those just described; but when induced by infection such as leucor- 
rhceal or gonorrheal or syphilitic matter, or perpetuated by scrofulous 
or syphilitic impurities in the blood, the discharges are purulent, with 
all the foregoing symptoms combined ; and the poisonous matter 
which is exuded, if brought in contact with the lids of healthy eyes, 
proves contagious. It is believed by some people that simply look- 
ing into such eyes will affect healthy ones ; but I am confident that 
all such supposed cases came some way in contact with at least a 
particle of the diseased virus. In a family, for instance, where 
chronic sore eyes attack one of the children, and then the difficulty 
spreads to several others ; it will probably be found on close investi- 
gation that they have played with each others' toys, or w r iped on the 
same towel, in either of which ways a little grain of the diseased 
matter may have been communicated to the eyes of the healthy 
child. Women having bad leucorrhcea, and men affected with 
gonorrhoea ; or others of either sex having syphilitic ulcers or sores, 
should always be extremely cautious not to touch the fingers to the 
eyes after they have been in contact with the affected parts, and should 
carefully avoid wiping the face with the same towel used for wiping 
the hands. 

In the treatment of chronic sore eyes the blood must receive the 
main attention. No case will become chronic unless the blood was 
previously impure, or became so by the infectious matter with which 
the eyes were inoculated. I have cured many cases without any 
local treatment whatever; but when the latter is resorted to, it 
should be of a mild healing nature, and always accompanied with 
thorough medication for the blood. 



426 AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 

The deeper as well as the superficial layers of the eye are subject 
to a variety of inflammatory diseases, but their diagnosis can only 
be accurately made by means of examination with the ophthalmo- 
scope, a little but great instrument which enables the physician to 
see into the interior parts. Most of these deep-seated diseases, even 
to cataract of the lens, or atrophy of the optic nerve, are as surely 
the outgrowth of blood disorders as is a simple stye on the lid, and 
some of the most serious of them are symptomatic of diabetes, 
Bright's disease, syphilis, etc. The diagnosis of such diseases, in- 
volving and threatening the precious sense of vision, can only be 
safely entrusted to those who have opportunities to make special 
study of the subject; but from the nature of these diseases their 
treatment often falls more appropriately to the general specialist 
than the oculist. Here it may be well to say that an optician is not 
an oculist, and though many of the defects in vision requiring ad- 
justment of glasses can be tested for and attended to by opticians, 
especially many of the highly educated ones in large cities, it is 
generally safer to take an oculist's opinion and prescription even on 
what seems to be so small a matter as the selection of glasses. Be- 
sides far-sight and near-sight, already explained, there are the 
common faults of astigmatism and hypermetropia, defects which 
can only be overcome by just the right kind of lenses. Hyperme- 
tropia, by the way, is a sort of far-sight occurring in children, for 
which the eye-sharpener is not at all adapted. Astigmatism is due 
to a defect of form in the eye-ball, which can not be relieved by 
operation, manipulation, or instrument, though fortunately it can be 
" corrected" by lenses ; many headaches are thus cured. 

Cross-Eyes. 

An affection of this kind is technically called strabismus, and by 
taany " squint." People thus affected not only look very queerly, 
but it is generally difficult for an observer to tell exactly what par- 
ticular object they are looking at. Cross-eyed schoolmasters are 
always a great bother to the boys, who naturally perpetrate their 
mischief when the eyes of the teacher are apparently not on 
them ; but when the tutor has optics like any of those given in 
the annexed illustration, and especially if like c, the boys are entirely 
adrift, and find it unsafe to look off their books, or throw paper 
bullets at their fellow- students, There can be no doubt that all con- 



CROSS-EYES. 



427 



genital formations of this kind were originally intended for school- 
masters and schoolma'ams, but the fall of man has so mixed up things, 
that cross-eyes seem to present themselves here and there without a 
particle of reference to avocation, and school-boys are not often 
enough afflicted with teachers having them. 

In the annexed illustration, a repre- 
sents a single convergent squint ; &, a 
double convergent squint ; £, a double 
divergent squint; and d a convergent 
and divergent squint. The displace- 
ment of the eye in any one of the cases 
illustrated, if congenital, or in other 
words, when the person affected was 
born so, results from the natural con- 
traction of one set of muscles, and the 
natural extension or relaxation of those 
on the opposite side ; but this same po- 
sition of the eyes may be produced by 
disease affecting the muscles; or it may 
be acquired by practising it for sport ; 
or a weakness of one set of muscles 
and a contraction of the other may 
gradually take place without any visible 
cause. Strabismus generally must be 
treated both medically and surgically, 
and in my surgical department all op- 
erations of this kind are performed in 
a few minutes, by an experienced op- 
erator, who does the work so expertly 
as to give the patient scarcely a particle 
of pain. When there is cerebral affec- 
tion or weakness of the eyes, medica- 
tion alone will sometimes overcome the 
difficulty, but if not, it should either 
precede or immediately follow an op- 
eration. 

Other Diseases of the Eye 
Will not be presented here, as more space than was originally 
apportioned to this division of the chapter is already occupied. 1 




428 AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 

will, therefore, call the reader's attention to diseases of the ear, after 
remarking that all affected with any diseases of the eyes, are at lib- 
erty to consult the author in relation thereto. In all letters of con- 
sultation, answers to the questions on page 600 should be given. 

Defective Hearing. 

If the non-professional reader could follow me through all the 
circuitous paths of the ear without becoming befogged with the 
technical names anatomists have bestowed upon the various organs 
therein ; if the common mind could be made conversant with the 
complex physical machinery of the organs of hearing ; and then, if 
we could all of us comprehend the mysterious, ever-hidden connec- 
tion existing between the physical organs of sense and the conscious 
principle, we might cease to wonder at, but never to admire, the 
peculiar mechanism by which all of us, gifted with the sense of hear- 
ing, are made conscious of so much that is passing in the material 
world through that remarkable something we familiarly denominate 
sound. 

Your friend speaks to you. How are you made aware of the fact, 
and of the impression he wishes to convey to your mind ? He expels 
from his lungs currents of air, shaped by the organs of the throat 
and modified and chopped off here and there by the motions of the 
tongue and lips, so that the air moves toward you in what may be 
called articulate waves. These fa'l upon the external ear, a perfect 
acoustic instrument, which is so modeled as to conduct them into 
the orifice, where they soon come in contact with the ear-drum, 
technically called the tympanum. This instantly vibrates in perfect 
accord with the motions of the articulate waves, and the vibrations 
of this organ in turn set in motion other waves in the air confined in 
the cavity beyond, when motion is communicated to reeds of delicate 
bones — the smallest bones in the body — and to fibres of muscle, 
which vibrate like the reeds of an organ when acted upon by cur- 
rents of air, or the strings of a violin when agitated by the finger or 
bow. Thus further modified and intensified, these waves move 
onward through irregular cavities, circuitous canals, convoluted 
tubes, and delicate membranes, all of the most wonderful complexity, 
until reaching the labyrinth, or parlor of the ear, where there are 
cushions of fluids upon which they fall and set in motion multitudin- 
ous little granules of calcareous matter, whose agitation frictionizes 



DEFECTIVE HEARING. 



429 



the sensitive, minute branches of the auditory nerve, which penetrate 
the sacs confining the granules. This influence conveys to the 
mind what is commonly called sound; hut just how this is affected 
no human anatomist or physiologist is likely ever to be able to deter- 
mine. 

Considering the complexity of all this hearing machinery, and the 
delicacy of the various parts composing it, exceeding in some re- 
spects the wonderful mechanism of the eye, it is not at all strange 
that many are affected with partial and some with entire deafness. 

Fig. 114. 




THE HUMAN EAR. 



Not a single tube can be closed, not a bone or fibre destroyed, not a 
particle of change in quantity or quality of the fluids of the sacs, or 
those moistening or bathing the membrane lining the canals or 
cavities, occur, without affecting the accuracy of the impressions 
conveyed to the mind through the mechanism of the ear. 

Let us briefly look into the most common causes of defective hear- 
ing. We will commence as soon as we penetrate the orifice. In 
what is called the external opening, between the outer orifice and 



430 AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 

the ear-drum, there are yellowish colored glands which pour out 
upon the lining of this canal a fatty, albuminous, yellow substance, 
possessing some of the properties of bile, which we call the ear-wax. 
The true office of this secretion, is probably to exclude insects from 
the ear, as it is disagreeably bitter and adhesive. Flies, mosquitoes, 
fleas, and the minute inhabitants of the tenement bed-chamber 
could make as little headway through this secretion as they could 
through molasses, while its flavor to their epicurean teeth would be 
far less palatable. So long as this secretion is not deficient, exces- 
sive, or vitiated, this portion of the ear generally performs its func- 
tion properly. But if it dries up, insects may nestle there, irritate 
the canal, and obstruct the vibrations of the air ; if it becomes exces- 
sive, or gluey and dense, then the canal is obstructed, and in some 
cases completely filled up. A deficiency, excess, or vitiation of tins 
secretion, called ear-wax, may therefore render the hearing defective. 

The external opening of the ear terminates with an organ called 
the tympanum or ear-drum, a membrane nearly circular in form, and 
fastened in a bony ring. Its external surface forms a conical concav- 
ity, highly polished, and in the living subject the membrane is nearly 
transparent. Naturally it is without orifice, but in some persons, by 
disease or accident, it may have become slightly perforated without 
materially affecting the hearing. If, however, this organ be greatly 
perforated, or nearly or quite obliterated ; or if it be thickened or 
indurated ; or if the muscles controlling it be weakened or de- 
stroyed, hearing may be defective or lost altogether. 

The inner side of the ear-drum is what is called the cavity of the 
tympanum. This must be supplied with air to make the hearing 
complete. The air reaches it by what is called the Eustachian tube, 
which opens like a trumpet, large enough to insert a pencil point, 
in the throat, and extends along upward and backward, for nearly 
two inches, when it opens into this cavity ; but the lining of the 
latter secretes a mucus, with which to moisten its walls, and in dis- 
ease this secretion may be thick and excessive, in which case it filk 
up the Eustachian tube, and thereby excludes air from this cavity, 
and in many cases fills the cavity itself. Or, if the mastoid cells or 
sinuses, which have an opening in the cavity of the tympanum, 
nearly opposite the Eustachian tube, be the seat of irritation, the 
secretions of th^se may deluge the cavity or clog the tube. In some 
cases, these walls, cavities, and tubes are affected with catarrh, and 



DEFECTIVE HEARING. 431 

become congested with catarrhal matter. Whenever or however 
they are obstructed, the person so affected cannot hear distinctly, 
if at all. 

It sometimes happens that the labyrinth, with all its delicate 
appurtenances, becomes the seat of disease, obstructing communica- 
tion with the tympanum, or causing such a change in the fluids of the 
sacs containing the calcareous granules, that the auditory nerve fails 
to receive any impression from the vibrations going on in the tym- 
panum, or its vicinity. In either case, partial or entire deafness 
must ensue. 

Ulcerations sometimes take place in the delicate organs of the ear. 
It is terrible to have such visitations here, for they are liable to de- 
stroy the walls of the tubes, canals, and cavities ; to eat away entirely 
the ear-drum, and to break up and destroy the delicate bones and 
muscles, forming the reeds and strings, and to expel them through 
the external opening in the form of offensive matter. Entire deaf- 
ness sometimes results from these ulcerations. 

No form of disease, however, can be more complete than that 
caused by paralysis of the auditory nerve. All the other organs of 
the ear may be in complete order, and mechanically vibrate to every 
atmospheric impulse. The articulate waves may move along regu- 
larly through all the natural cavities and tubes, and enter the laby- 
rinth with the greatest precision and order; they may set in motion 
all those peculiar little granules which play upon the termini of the 
auditory nerve, but if the latter be paralyzed, no intelligence what- 
ever is conveyed to the brain. This line of telegraph is practically 
down, and although the brain may be in communication with the 
external world by telegraphic connection with the eyes and 
other organs of sense, no message whatever is received via ear- 
dom. The approach of paralysis of the auditory nerve is usually 
heralded by noises in the head, ringing and roaring in the ears, and, 
in some cases, by acute pain. There are constantly motions taking 
place in the atmosphere of so slight a nature that the healthy auditory 
nerve is not impressed by them. If you please to call them sounds, 
then there are sounds of which the normal auditory nerve takes no 
notice. But when that nerve becomes irritated or inflamed — as 
sensitive as a tender tooth — it feels every impulse of the air, how- 
ever slight, and considering the forms of the canals through which 
these impulses pass, the sensation conveyed through the irritated 



432 AFFECTIONS OF THE EYES AND EARS. 

nerve to the brain, is more commonly that of roaring. This is un- 
doubtedly mainly due to what is called the cochlea, which is a coni- 
cal tube so convoluted that its form resembles the shell of the snail, 
having, however, two cavities, one of which begins at the vestibule 
and the other at the tympanum, and continues through its whole 
extent. Nearly everybody has undoubtedly noticed what a roaring 
noise a large shell produces when held near the ear. When the au- 
ditory nerve has only the sensitiveness natural to it in health, the 
shell needs to be nearly or quite as large as a hen's egg ; but when 
it has the acute sensibility which irritation or inflammation imparts, 
even the action of the air in this little convoluted tube, having the 
form of a shell, conveys to the nerve and thence to the brain a sound 
similar to that experienced when a large shell is held against the ear. 
This is a new theory, of my own, but I think it will commend itself 
to physiologists. All the peculiar noises experienced in the ears of 
persons having affections therein, like the singing of a tea-kettle, 
ringing and ticking, indicate an undue sensibility of the auditory 
nerve, which is made conscious of motions of air in the tubes, canals, 
and cavities of the ear, of which, in health, it is not -cognizant. 
When these noises continue for a long time, a reaction is liable to 
follow, and the auditory nerve changes from this acute sensibility to 
partial or entire insensibility, and at this juncture of the disease, 
defective hearing or complete deafness ensues. 

Complete deafness is usually incurable. If, however, a person can 
Tiear a little ; if by the aid of ear-trumpet the human voice can be 
heard and its language understood, it is generally prophetic of the 
Possibility of recovery, if the right course be pursued by the 
Physician having the case in charge. Every one affected with partial 
deafness should intrust his case to a skillful physician who is 
thoroughly acquainted with the anatomy of the ear, and who has 
fr?A experience in the treatment of its diseases. No practitioner defi- 
cient in these qualifications should attempt to treat partial deafness, 
and especially should the victim of this affection refrain from any 
attempt to devise or apply local remedies unless guided by the advice 
of a physician. 

Persons observing the approach of difficult hearing may many 
times prevent the development of deafness by taking remedies 
suitable for purifying and strengthening the blood, because all the 
secretions of the ear are derived from the circulation^ and will be 



DEFECTIVE HEARING-. 433 

healthy or unhealthy according to the pure or impure condition of 
the vascular fluids ; hut when the affection seems to be steadily com- 
ing on in spite of gentle constitutional treatment, obtain without 
delay the advice of a medical man in whom you have confidence. 

Paralysis of the auditory nerve has in some instances been cured 
by the judicious application of electricity. Deafness resulting from 
the obstinate obstruction of the Eustachian tube has been relieved 
by admitting air into the cavity of the tympanum by slightly per- 
forating the ear-drum. Defective hearing caused by entire destruc- 
tion of the ear-drum has in some cases been greatly benefited by 
wearing a false tympanum (see page 911). Catarrhal people affected 
with deafness have many times entirely recovered from the latter by 
the cure of the former. Scrofulous people who have nearly lost all 
sense of hearing may generally have that sense restored by the 
eradication of the scrofulous impurity if ulcerations have not im- 
paired the structure of the ear. 

The miraculous cures of deafness are generally effected by remov- 
ing a plug of wax from the outer canal. This sort of ' ' stopper " of 
hearing can be extracted by a physician with instruments, or, at 
home, by persistent warm w T ater injections, and the cure is immedi- 
ate if the plug has not been there so long as to paralyze or injure 
the deeper parts. Hot water injections are the safest and best treat- 
ment for many affections of the ears, while oils and soothing oint- 
ments may do much to soften tympanums that have become too 
hard and stiff to vibrate. Placing the finger tips firmly in the ears 
and wriggling them there is a good way of vibrating the drums, to 
loosen them, and holding the nose wmile forcing air from the lungs 
to the head tends to inflate the Eustachian tubes, and balance the 
air pressure on both sides of the ear-drums. The latest device for 
loosening adherent ear-drums is an electrical instrument that causes 
them to vibrate very rapidly by sounds. The usual mechanical aids 
to hearing, various forms of ear trumpets, are not as fashionable, 
convenient, or effective as the glasses used to aid defective vision ; 
and although various instruments are largely advertised to cure 
deafness that can be almost concealed in the external canal, we 
never knew any of them to be worth the x>rice. 




CHAPTER VL 

DISEASES OF THE HEART, 

OME nervous reader who may imagine that lie 
has a heart disease, will undoubtedly thumb these 
leaves for the symptoms which indicate the ex* 
istence of such affections ; but he will be disap- 
pointed. I am not going to give them. This will 
be the most incomplete chapter in the book. The late 
Artemus Ward once gave out notice in the New York jour- 
nals that he would lecture on the Russian Bear. The hall 
was crowded, and after making the audience roar with his 
drollery for an hour or more, perpetrating jokes no way 
relevant to the subject, he concluded by saying he should not have timo 
to touch upon the topic proposed, but that tickets would be issued 
at the door to those who chose to hear him expatiate upon it, which 
tickets would entitle the holder to attend his next lecture to be given 
in San Francisco ! The author will not attempt to mitigate the dis- 
appointment of the nervous reader, by the pleasantry characteristic 
of Artemus, but will frankly avow the reason for avoiding any thing 
like a serious essay upon the diseases named in the heading. It is 
this : all nervous or dyspeptic persons who hear or read a descrip- 
tion of the symptoms attending affections of the heart, invariably 
imagine that they are victims to them. It is, therefore, quite as well 
to confine information of this kind to the pages of medical works 
written expressly for the profession, inasmuch as nervous or dyspep- 
tic difficulties often produce symptoms so closely resembling thoso 
resulting from actual diseases of the heart, that a critical medical 
examination is necessary to determine the question with certainty. 
No one knowing fully the symptoms, can rely upon his own judg- 
ment in the matter, and to save unnecessary apprehension in the 
minds of those who have a disease of the imagination rather than of 
the heart, it is well to avoid every thing in a work intended for the 



DISEASES OF THE HEART. 



435 



Fig. 115. 



people, that can by any possibility aggravate the whimsical tendency 
of a distempered brain. 

Dyspeptic and nervous persons are not the only ones who are apt 
to imagine that they are victims of heart disease. There is a mem- 
brane or sac which 
envelops the heart, 
called the pericardi- 
um. This is often 
the seat of inflam- 
mation, and when it 
is, pains in that re- 
gion and palpitation 
of the heart are gen- 
erally experienced, 
together with all the 
symptoms which are 
supposed to charac- 
terize a disease of 
the heart itself. 

Palpitation of the 
heart may be in- 
duced by various 
causes. There may 
be too great an ex- 
penditure of nerv- 

n .-, • THE HEART. 

OUS lorce upon tnis aj ^ tne left and rf^ ventricles; c,«,/ the aorta; ft 
organ, and when this h, i, the innominata, left carotid, and left subclavian ; fc, the 
is the Case it is gen- pulmonary artery which is given off from the right ventricle, 

erally found that it 

is at the expense of 

other organs. When 

the liver becomes 

torpid, it will often 

be discovered that 

the nervous stimuli 

belonging to that organ, have in some way been diverted to the heart, 

resulting, of course, in the inactivity of the former, and the excessive 

activity of the latter. Persons subject to cold extremities often have 

all the nervous forces and vascular fluids which should be occupied 




and conveys the blood to the lungs; I, £, branches of the pul- 
monary artery distributed to the right and left lungs; wz, »*, 
the pulmonary veins, which bring the oxygenated blood 
from the lungs to the left auricle ; n, the right auricle ; o, q, 
the ascending and descending vena? cava?, which return the 
blood from the general system to the right auricle ; p. veins 
which convey the blood from the liver, bowels, and spleen ; 
s, the coronary artery which carries blood into the substance 
of the heart. 



436 DISEASES OF THE HEART. 

in keeping the feet and limbs warm, acting in and about the heart?, 
causing the latter to jump and beat unnaturally, violently, and inju- 
riously. There are affections of the procreative organs, which are 
attended with such nervous derangements as to give both to them 
and the heart an undue supply of nervous stimuli. Persons of both 
sexes are subject to them, and when they exist all of the other or- 
gans of the body are robbed to supply this abnormal diversion, which 
sets the amative organs of the brain on fire, and makes the heart 
leap with morbid excitement. The stomach may become so dis- 
tended with wind, when digestion is sluggish, as to encroach upon 
the cavity occupied by the heart, and interfere with its action to 
such a degree as to cause palpitation or labored pulsation. Excess 
of flesh, in some cases renders the space naturally allotted to the 
heart, too limited, and the same symptoms are then experienced as 
when the stomach invades it. Excess or insufficiency of blood, ex- 
cessive mental emotions, whether of jo} r or sorrow, and too severe 
and protracted physical exercise, may induce an unnatural action of 
the heart. Considering, therefore, how greatly the action of the 
heart is influenced by a variety of causes not at all implicated in 
any disease of the organ itself, it would be difficult to make this 
chapter physiologically and pathologically exact, without arousing 
in the mind of the unprofessional reader some apprehensions in 
regard to the condition of the heart, if he be at all imaginative. 

Most of the true heart diseases of a chronic kind are due to distor* 
tions (called lesions) of the valves of this double-barreled pump, 
arising sometimes suddenly from extreme effort, or brought on by 
repeated attacks of inflammatory rheumatism. These valvular dis- 
eases impair the heart's power as a, force-pump, but nature has ways 
of compensating for many defects by bringing on gradual enlarge- 
ment of the heart, so that many hypertrophies are more in the 
nature of a cure than a disease — improving instead of impairing 
health. All abnormal hearts are prone to rack themselves to a 
break-down in course of time, but those thus afflicted who will 
adopt moderation in all things and judicious habits, may prolong 
life thirty or forty years. Physicians can do much to regulate the 
action of rickety hearts, something by, medicines influencing its ner- 
vous control, but more by relieving the weak heart of impediments 
to blood circulation in congestion of other parts, or quieting that 
unruly member, the stomach, which resides just below the heart. 




CHAPTER TIL 

CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 



[HEN the skin and lungs are in a healthy con- 
dition a large amount of the waste fluids of the 
system passes off in the form of sensible or in- 
sensible perspiration and in vapors exhaled, 
but the excretory pores and lungs would be 
quite instrfficient, unaided, to dispose of the soluble effete 
matters, and consequently the divine Artificer created in 
the human body and in the bodies of all vertebrated ani- 
mals, organs, called the kidneys, together with other organs 
which have been named, by anatomists, the ureters, bladder, 
and urethra, to act subordinately to them. The kidneys in the 
human system are brownish red, bean-shaped glands, located on 
either side of the spine in what is denominated the lumbar region. 
They are largely made up of tubes and cells and of membrane of so 
thin texture, that as the blood passes through the kidneys, the 
watery portions pass through the membrane as readily as water 
passes through muslin, and it then trickles down through tubes to 
little reservoirs in the kidneys, and from thence through the little 
canals called the ureters to the bladder, which is the great receiving 
reservoir of the urine. In health the bladder retains the water till 
it becomes full, or until it is convenient to dispose of it. In both 
sexes the bladder is located in the lower part of the bowels. In men 
it is bounded at the back by the seminal vesicles and rectum, and in 
women by the vagina. In front it lies just back of the lower abdom- 
inal walls. The bladder empties itself through the urethra, which 
in the male extends along the under part of the penis to the orifice 
at the end, and this same urethra is the conducting pipe of the semi- 
nal fluids when they pass off. In the female it performs only the 
office of carrying off the urine ; it is very short and terminates just 
above the vaginal orifice. 



438 CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 



Fie:. 116. 



In my practice I have a large percentage of cases suffering with 
diseases of a chronic nature, located in some part of the urinary 
apparatus. So closely connected, anatomically, are the urinary with 
the procreative organs, and so greatly are the latter abused, it is not 
surprising that the former are frequently the seat of painful and 
dangerous affections. In both sexes the ama- 
tive passions are prematurely developed and 
stimulated. These, at an early age, too often 
I lead boys and girls into private vices, and the 
mature and married into sexual excesses and 
pernicious modes for the prevention of con- 
ception, all of which physical violations are 
well calculated to disturb the nervous harmony 
of the parts, impoverish and vitiate the blood, 
and to lay the foundation for serious derange- 
ments of those organs which secrete and dis- 
charge the urine. The most common of tbese 
diseases are: — chronic inflammation in the kid- 
neys ; weakness in the kidneys ; consumption 
of the kidneys ; stone in the kidneys ; chronic 
inflammation in the bladder; paralysis of 
the bladder ; gravel ; chronic gonorrhoea ; 
stricture of the urethra ; etc. 

The office of the kidneys is to secrete the 

THIS HUMAN WATER-WORKS. . 

mi . . , L x . useless alkaline and calcareous particles and 

The kidneys at the top r 

are connected by canals the soluble waste matters from the blood. The 
called the ureters leading bladder, as before remarked, is the reservoir for 

to the bladder. The neck of ^ and the lirethra j g the wast e-pipe for 

the bladder connects with 7 -i i • 

the urethra, which is not carrying them off. Everybody living in 
given in the illustration, as houses supplied with aqueduct water knows 
the latter is without se* how much trouble it gives the kitchen-maid 

and stands to represent the *~ 

urinary organs of both when something, by her own carelessness, 
sexes. obstructs the waste-pipe. Now old dame 

Nature has double the trouble of any " Bridget " in keeping human 
water-pipes in order, not from any dereliction of duty on her part, 
but from the carelessness and imprudences of man and woman kind 
generally. Mechanical water-pipes could never endure the abuses 
which are almost daily inflicted by men, women, and children, on 
those organs made in part, by the economy of nature, for the pur- 




DISEASES OE THE KIDNEYS. 439 

pose of carrying off the waste fluids which nature wishes to dispose 
of. 

Albeit, it is useless to moralize, even in this quaint way. Genera- 
tion after generation passes off the stage of life, one profiting little 
by the experience of its predecessor. Individuals suffering with such 
troubles only intrust the secret to their physician, and the mass of 
humanity goes recklessly on, vainly thinking that this first, second, 
or third abuse of the delicate urino-genital structure will not be 
followed with a penalty, until a large proportion of all have at last 
tasted the bitter cup, while some drink it to the dregs. It is, there- 
fore, waste of words for the medical writer to do more than point out 
the dangerous shoals and breakers, and then turn his attention to 
those already wrecked, and who are too often catching at straws to 
save themselves. I will therefore pass to the consideration of some 
of the diseases I have adverted to. 

Diseases of the Kidneys. 

The kidneys are very vascular organs, and are so arranged an- 
atomically that they receive constantly a large amount of blood 
which, in passing through them, is purified of many forms of waste 
matter and deprived of much of its water, the latter being necessary 
to hold the impurities in solution until they may be cast out from 
the body. The kidneys are therefore in int: : mate relation with the 
circulatory system, the heart and blood-vessels, and they not only 
suffer when disease invades the heart and arteries, but if the kid- 
neys become first affected, the circulatory system is, sooner or later, 
weakened also. The kidneys are also sensitive to any faults in 
digestion, whether in stomach or liver, for if any unusual amount 
of impurities are thrown into the blood through faulty digestion, 
the kidneys are put to extra strain in eliminating them. On the 
other hand, if through disease of the kidneys, the blood fails to be 
steadily and sufficiently purified, the retained impurities are likely 
to irritate the digestive organs and derange their action. They 
stand in equally intimate relations with the lungs and skin. 

Therefore the indications of kidney disease are generally round- 
about, indirect sort of symptoms affecting other parts. They are 
too deeply situated to be seen or felt, and are not in themselves very 
sensitive. Even cancer may eat them up without causing pain, 
and the back-aches which people so commonly attribute to kidney 



440 CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 

troubles are generally in the tenderloin muscles of the back, and 
not in the kidneys themselves, though it may be their sluggish 
action which causes the accumulation of irritants that render the 
muscles painful, as in lumbago. It is hardly to be doubted that the 
kidneys, like other important organs, may be functionally dis- 
ordered, or slow and inefficient in their action, without being act- 
ually diseased with what is called an organic lesion, and, like other 
parts, they may be subject to sudden congestion from " colds," ren- 
dering them for a time practically of little use ; but it is also true 
that repeated attacks of congestion are liable to impair the substance 
of the kidneys, and bring on a chronic form of inflammation now 
pretty generally known as Bright's disease. This is the most com- 
mon form of chronic disease of the kidneys, named after Dr. Rich- 
ard Bright, of England, who first gave a fair description of its 
symptoms and lesions in 1830, but it is only since 1860 that it has 
been thoroughly studied and understood, even by physicians, and 
perhaps only in the last ten years that the general public has learned, 
through familiarity, to fear it. 

It is the most insidious form of chronic disease, and may be far 
advanced before any symptom develops by which its presence could 
be suspected. Many a man who dies suddenly of apoplexy, in seem- 
ing fair health, has really had, for years preceding that event, a 
slow fever in the kidneys, and disintegration of the blood-vessels of 
the brain where the fatal break at last occurred. Dr. Francis M. 
Delafield once reported on the case of a policeman who had passed 
a critical physical examination for promotion, with a rating of 
ninety points, only three months before his death by inflammation 
of the bowels, when the post-mortem examination showed his kid- 
neys greatly wasted by chronic nephritis — another name for Bright's 
disease. It could not be learned from his friends that he had ever 
complained of its ordinary symptoms. While such reports are not 
rare, the disease as a rule offers plenty of warning in a variety of 
symptoms, the real meaning and importance of which must be deter- 
mined by taking one thing with another. 

The ordinary symptoms are those common to many other chronic 
diseases originating from general debility or blood impurity. Among 
the early symptoms are apt to be simple indigestion and much flatu- 
lence, sometimes with nausea or vertigo and persistent headaches ; 
or there may be only a gouty joint, sciatic rheumatism, or facial 



DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS. 



441 



neuralgia as evidence of retained waste matters. Sometimes the 
latter only tickle the surface, but when thus operating in the skin 
they may cause most distressing itching. There may be pale and 
numb finger tips, cold feet, cramps, or other sign of impeded blood 
circulation. The subject often complains of general sensitiveness 
to cold, and yet the pulse will be hard and firm. Palpitation of the 
heart, languor, early fatigue, and inability for prolonged effort are 
commonly present, soon or late, while pallor, ansemia, or at least a 
general appearance of being below par, assist the professional eye 



Fig. 117 



to detect a subject 
of this disease. The 
mental tendency is 
gloomy, to ''blues" 
and irritability of 
temper, and lack of 
hope and ambition. 
In advanced cases 
an inflammation of 
the retina (the deep 
light-sensing mem- 
brane of the eye), 
called retinitis, is 
quite characteristic 
of the disease; 
while the ears are 
subject to noises 
not at all distinc- 
tive, except, per- 
haps, in their per- 
sistence. CEdema, 
in form of puffy 
lower eye-lid and 
swelled ankles, is 
one of the common 
later symptoms, while general dropsy from weakening heart comes 
toward the last. 

It must not be supposed that any one case will include all, or even 
a fourth of all these symptoms, and yet in the course of years the 
majority of them may appear in turn, or a few at a time. When 




The kidney cnt through; I, vein; 2, 
leading to bladder. 



artery; 3, ureter 



442 CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 

some such symptoms are present, and the question arises as to diag- 
nosis of the true state of the patient, an examination of the urine 
will aid in settling whether the kidneys are or are not subject to 
this disease. One of the proofs of its presence is the discovery of 
albumen in the urine, by special tests which will readily detect the 
presence of so small an amount as one part in 10,000. The signifi- 
cance of albumen thus found is yet undecided. Many physicians 
claim that under some circumstances it may be found in the urine 
of healthy persons, as of soldiers or athletes after prolonged effort, 
while others claim that it cannot occur without some weakness or 
predisposition to Bright's. Life insurance examiners, as a rule, 
"hold off" a candidate for insurance if even a small trace of albu- 
men is detected, until repeated examinations show that it no longer 
occurs. Yet, on the other hand, there have been observed many 
true cases of chronic nephritis, in whose urine albumen was never 
detected. 

Another more certain evidence is the discovery, by aid of the 
microscope, of little "casts," which have been shed from the lining 
cells of the kidney tubes, and are found in the sediment that settles 
in the urine. There are several varieties of such casts, which tell 
much of the stage of the disease, its seriousness,. and rate of prog- 
ress. Their presence proves much, but their absence does not neces- 
sarily prove that there is no form of Bright's disease. 

To the possible subject of this affection, the most interesting facts 
are those relating to its curability. In one sense it is incurable; that 
is, whatever portion of the kidney has been wasted and destroyed 
by inflammation cannot be rebuilt, but must remain a scar. A good 
deal of one kidney may be reduced to scar tissue without throwing 
the remaining parts out of work, and a cure, so far as it is possible, 
consists in checking the destructive process, and saving all that can 
be. The disease is slow, as a rule, and if diagnosed and attended to 
in time, much can be done for its relief. In a comparison of views 
of eminent professors of all countries, there is a remarkable unan- 
imity of opinion to the effect that in cases of Bright's disease, life 
can be indefinitely prolonged by hygienic and medicinal means. At 
a meeting of the Practitioners' Society of New York, one speaker 
told of a commodore in the navy, still in service, who was pronounced 
to have Bright's disease thirty-five years ago ; while another re- 
spected authority expressed the opinion that a person with albumen 



DISEASES OF THE KIDNEYS. 443 

and casts in the urine " might live as long as anybody." A life 
insurance examiner almost acknowledges that the Britique may do 
better than that, because, if warned of his weakness, he will be 
more careful than the robust man, take less risks, and escape many 
dangers that are liable to suddenly pick off the latter from the list 
of the living. 

Thirty-three years ago I was called to treat a case of Bright's dis- 
ease in Worcester County, Massachusetts, of three years' standing ; 
the patient's local physicians said she could not live a month. She 
had been for several months bed-ridden, and a dear sister had been 
called home from a distant city under the supposition that she could 
not long survive. In two months I had her off her bed, and she is 
living to-day — a healthy old lady — but she says the sensation has 
ever since been present as if there was a cavity in one of the kid- 
neys. Since treating that case I have had many similarly but not 
so seriously affected, who have been to all appearances restored 
under my treatment. In the case here referred to I did not have 
the advantage of seeing the patient personally before or during the 
treatment. Her sister was the bearer of the first course of remedies, 
and the subsequent treatment was conducted by letter and express. 
Years after she favored me with a visit to express her gratitude. 

Probably there is no chronic organic, or so-called " wasting" dis- 
ease, in which good advice, management, and treatment can be so 
effective in staying progress as in Bright's disease. In the main its 
hygiene consists in moderation in all things, avoidance of hard 
labor, severe exertion, and rapid exercise, restriction to a vegetable, 
cereal and fruit diet, with eggs and milk, and abundance of pure 
water to flush the kidneys. It is important to maintain sufficient 
bodily warmth by suitable clothing, and always to avoid a "chill," 
or any tiling approaching thereto. With the inflammation of the kid- 
neys subdued by appropriate treatment, and the adoption of a course 
of life tempered to the tender condition of these delicate organs, 
11 even an advanced grade of contracted kidney may be compatible 
with great mental and physical activity.'' says a writer on this sub- 
ject. The trick of prolonging life on one kidney, as it were (and, 
by the way, the left kidney, for well understood anatomical reasons, 
is most prone to disease), consists in so living as to give it as little 
as possible to do, by avoiding such foods as make ashes for the kid- 
neys to secrete (i.e., nitrogenous substances, especially meats), and 



444 CHEONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE UEINAEY OEGANS. 

exercise that excites the heart's action and hastens the production 
of waste matter for the kidneys to handle. 

Bright's disease is quite a common complication of pregnancy, 
going from bad to worse until deli /ery occurs. The poisonous state 
of the mother's blood often blights the foetus so that premature 
birth or abortion occurs spontaneously, as nature's own way of sav- 
ing the mother, for if this ordeal be safely passed, the kidneys may 
quickly be relieved of their dangerous condition ; but sometimes it 
becomes necessary to effect this mode of relief artificially, and wise 
physicians nowadays keep watch of their "confinement cases," and 
make frequent examinations of the urine so that they may know if 
the kidneys are becoming congested, and to what extent. 

Kidney Colic. 
"When, through perverted nutrition, the blood becomes impure 
and the urine abnormal, it may happen that certain ingredients will 
not remain in solution, but crystallize into solid particles prema- 
turely — before the urine leaves the kidneys. Such accumulations 
are called calculi, or stones, and are apt to have pricking points or 
sharp corners, which, as the stone descends through the narrow 
ureter, scrapes along, attended with terrific pain, until it drops into 
the bladder. Persons who have one such experience are likely to 
have more, and soon learn that they are victims of kidney colic. 
The treatment necessary is of two kinds. During a spell of ' ' born- 
ing " a baby stone, relief can be had by hot baths, opiates, and relax- 
ing medicines, like lobelia ; but the wise treatment is, of course, 
such as will cure the cause, and put a stop to the formation of the 
calculi; for there is not only the distress of the colic, but the further 
danger that the gravel may linger and agglutinate in the bladder to 
form a stone which will some day require a surgical operation for 
its removal. Such operations are generally successful, but not 
always ; and in no phase of disease is it more evident that preven- 
tion (by appropriate medicinal treatment) is better than cure (by 
surgical operation). 

Cystitis. 

Inflammation of the bladder may arise from a variety of causes, 

and produce an amount of suffering that can only be appreciated 

by one who has had it. The bladder may smart under the influence 

of a hot and acrid urine sent down from inflamed kidneys, until its 



CYSTITIS. 445 

own lining membrane becomes inflamed ; or an inflammation in the 
urethrae may extend into the bladder ; but, no doubt, catarrhal in- 
flammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder may originate 
as catarrh does anywhere else from the irritating properties of the 
blood sent through its capillaries. The symptoms referable to the 
bladder are pretty much the same whatever the cause of the inflam- 
mation, but the determination of the cause may be very essential to 
successful treatment. Pain and soreness over the region of the blad- 
der, low down in the abdomen, are prominent symptoms, and fre- 
quent calls to pass water, inability to retain long after notice is 
given, and smarting while urinating are among the symptoms to be 
expected. The urine is apt to be "off color" or Ziigh-colored, and 
to contain an excess of mucous sediment or catarrhal matter. Even 
pus and blood are found in it in serious cases. The microscope is a 
useful aid in examining the sediment to decide the exact nature of 
the case. Of course the presence of a stone in the bladder is cause 
enough for cystitis, and accurate diagnosis of its presence or absence 
can sometimes only be made by a " sound " (steel probe) passed into 
the bladder through the urethras. The sound of a " sound " striking 
a stone settles any question as to its presence. 

In the treatment of cystitis, after the kidneys and urethras have 
received due attention, the bladder itself may often be considerably 
eased by cleansing, antiseptic solutions injected through a catheter 
or soft rubber tube, which a patient can easily learn to introduce to 
the bladder. This means of clearing out all ferment and urinary 
remnants is of great service, but the main reliance for cure must be 
resources for removal of the cause, or chronic cystitis may continue 
obstinately and develop most distressing and even fatal complica- 
tions. A neighbor of the bladder, from which it suffers much incon- 
venience, is the prostate gland, which in elderly men is very prone 
to become enlarged so as to obstruct the free flow of urine from the 
bladder, for the prostate gland surrounds-the urethrae where it joins 
the bladder. So troublesome is this form of obstruction that many 
of its subjects are willing to submit to anything for relief. The 
"last thing out " in the way of surgical treatment is the removal of 
the testicles, which many old men are willing to part with for so 
great a consideration as relief from enlarged prostate. The theory 
is that their removal induces a withering, or atrophy of the pros- 
tate, and practice, in the few dozen cases so far reported, seems to 



446 CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF *THE URINARY ORGANS. 

support the theory. Whether there will be occasion to regret cas- 
tration for this purpose because of subsequent impairment of gen- 
eral vigor remains to be seen. If all-round atrophy or progressive 
senility should be one of its results, there will be " cause why" to 
seek a better way. In any case, try medicine first. 

Gravel is a name given to a disease which produces calcareous, 
earthy, or sandy deposits in the bladder. It is caused by an excess 
of calcareous or limey matter in the blood, and an insufficient supply 
of acid in the urine to hold these particles in solution. The disease 
is most common in limestone regions, or where the water used for 
drinking purposes is hard. Scrofulous people are liable to this dis- 
ease in any location, but manifestly more so where the water is hard 
or limey. Coffee is advised by many as a preventive against this 
painful disease, but, of course, this remedy is only admissible for 
those who are not rendered bilious by its use. " Dr. Mosley observes, 
in his ' Treatise on Coffee,' that the great use of the article in France is 
supposed to have abated the prevalence of the gravel. In the French 
colonies, where coffee is more used than in the English, as well as in 
Turkey, where it is the principal beverage, not only the gravel but 
the gout is scarcely known. Dr. Faur relates, as an extraordinary 
instance of the effect of coffee in gout, the case of Mr. Deverau, who 
was attacked with gout at the age of twenty-five, and had it severely 
until he was upward of fifty, with chalky stones in the joints of his 
hands and feet ; but for four years preceding the time when the ac- 
count of his case had been given to Dr. Faur to lay before the pub- 
lic, he had, by advice, used coffee, and had had no return of the gout 
afterward." Inasmuch as gout and chalky stones in the joints are 
difficulties known only to persons of a scrofulous diathesis, it is ap- 
parent that coffee is a remedy only in so far as it affeets the scrofula 
favorably. Coffee is a partial antidote to scrofula when the temper- 
ament of the person favors its employment, and consequently, when 
scrofula is the cause of gravel, it may be beneficial to the patient to 
use it. But I am inclined to doubt its success as a remedy when em- 
ployed alone. Electrical medication seems best adapted to the re- 
moval of those constitutional derangements which produce gravel. 

Gonorrhoea and Stricture. 

In sexual intercourse, when the discharge of the seminal fluids by 
the male takes place, these fluids are ejaculated in distinct jets, pro- 



GONORKHCEA AttD STRICTURE. 



447 



Fig. 119. 




LEUCOREIKEAL 
MATTER. 



Fig. 120. 



pelled by not only the ejaculatory ducts, but by a spasmodic con- 
traction and dilatation of the urethra, each jet being simultaneous with 
the contraction of this canal. Each dilatation however, creates a 
vacuum in the urethra, at which moment, if the va- 
ginal secretions are abundant, they are drawn into 
the urethra; then, if these secretions be infectious, 
they cause inflammation in the urethra, followed, 
after the lapse of a few days, by a purulent discharge. 
This affection is vulgarly called clap, and technically 
named gonorrhoea. The inapplicability of the latter 
name might be exhibited here if it would be of any 
practical use to do so, but so long as this term is 
popularly understood to apply to an affection like the one under con- 
sideration it will be well enough to employ it. When a female has 
leucorrhcea of a very acrimonious nature this disease may be com- 
municated to the urethra of the male, but it is more commonly con- 
tracted in the dens of harlotry, where women, for a 
pecuniary consideration, give themselves up to the 
embrace of men for whom they entertain no affection. 
The gonorrhoea of the courtesan is always more 
virulent than the leucorrhcea of the respectable 
female, but the latter sometimes causes in the urethra 
of the male a disease having all the characteristics 
of the distemper peculiar to prostitutes. Ordinarily 
under the microscope, quite a difference is observable 
between leucorrhoeal and gonorrhceal matter. A drop of the leucor- 
rhoeal secretion presents the appearance of decayed or vitiated mucus, 
as represented in figure 119, while that of gonorrhoea appears nearly 
the same with the exception of possessing something resembling 
embryonic animalculae, as represented in figure 120. Men suffering 
with leucorrhoeal or gonorrhceal infection may in turn communicate 
it to healthy women, but in the latter it is more liable to affect the 
vagina than the urethra because the last-named canal in the female is 
shorter and more obscurely located than it is in the male ; yet, the 
infectious matter sometimes finds the female urethra, and when it 
does it affects her pretty much in the same way that it does the 
male. The symptoms of gonorrhoea in the male generally make 
their appearance within a week after an exposure. First an un- 
comfortable feeling, accompanied with an unnatural redness at the 




GONORRHEAL 
MATTER. 



448 CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 

orifice of the penis is experienced. In some cases a sense of itching, 
and in others pains almost like those caused by the pricking of a 
needle. Next, a discharge commences from the mouth of the 
urethra, slight at first, but gradually increasing. The color of this 
is variable. In some it is white or yellow, in others it is greenish or 
muddy. There is a tenderness on pressure to the urethra about an 
inch from the end of the penis, and usually a burning or scalding 
feeling while urinating. In some aggravated cases of this disease the 
passing of water is attended with the most intense pain. The in- 
flammation of the urethra is sometimes so great that the canal will 
not stretch with an erection of the organ, and consequently, when 
erections do take place, it assumes a curved shape, its extremity being 
drawn downward by the urethra which, in its inflamed state, possesses 
none of its natural elasticity. Proceeding thus far, the affection is 
called chordee, and it is a most distressing one. 

The symptoms of gonorrhoea in women are less definite ; only an 
experienced physician can determine, when a woman has a vaginal 
discharge, whether she is affected with gonorrhoea or leucorrhcea; 
and when the latter is very acrimonious, the difference is simply in 
tne name, for the effects, when it is communicated to the male, are 
precisely similar. If it be known that she has been exposed to the 
former, and in a few days thereafter a discharge, attended with burn- 
ing and scalding in passing water, follows, it may be safely decided 
that her disease is gonorrhoea. But she might have this with no 
other symptom than simply a discharge from the vagina, differing 
slightly from that attending common leucorrhcea. 

Almost every one, " fast enough " in his habits to contract gonor- 
rhoea, generally has in his possession, what some friend has handed 
him as an " infallible recipe" for its cure. More people are strict- 
nred by these " infallible recipes " than by the disease itself. In- 
deed, between these " recipes" the advertised panaceas of quacks, 
and the heroic treatment of the regulars, it is almost impossible for 
the victim of gonorrhoea to escape stricture. What is stricture of 
the urethra t It is, in few words, a partial or entire obliteration of 
the urethral canal by inflammation or induration of portions of the 
walls. The annexed illustration, figure 121, represents stricture of 
the urethra in the male organ. In the first picture the urethra is 
laid open, to show the boundaries of that canal when obstructed by 
strictures ; there are two prominent ones given. The second picture 



GONORKHCEA AND STRICTURE. 



449 



Fig. 121. 






presents simply a tube, "with dotted lines, exhibiting the points of 
stricture. The third is intended to represent a cast of the strictured 
cavity, to show how nearly closed in some cases it becomes. In 
some cases there is but one stricture, and that is located about 
an inch or two from the mouth of the ure- 
thra. Then, again, it will be found in a few 
cases that the walls of the urethra are knot- 
ted up with them throughout their whole 
length, so that the canal is about as much 
obstructed as a stone culvert would be if it 
were caved in from its opening to its outlet. 
In some cases, the symptoms of stricture are 
so painfully unmistakable, that the affected 
person is unable to pass his water without 
introducing a small metal or gutta-percha 
tube in the obstructed canal, as far as the 
bladder, when the water passes off through 
this tube. In most cases, however, the urine 
can be voided naturally, except that it flows 
in a much smaller stream than normal, gen- 
erally with rather more than usual effort, 
and often with a painful sensation which 
seems to be in the head of the organ, but the 
stricture itself may be several inches down. 

"While stricture of the urethra is most generally caused by neglected 
or badly treated gonorrhoea, it may be induced by inflammation of 
the urethral canal, brought on by other causes, such as colds, ure- 
thral catarrh, contusion of the parts, strains, passage of calcareous 
accretions with the urine, the excessive use of condiments and 
stimulating drinks. Whatever may be the immediate cause, while 
that cause exists, internal treatment musi be given to modify the 
acrimony of the urine, to cool and purify the blood, together with 
local treatment of injections into the urethra of something soothing 
and disinfecting. When the worst stage of the affection supervenes, 
and stricture actually takes place, a combination of constitutional 
and surgical treatment is necessary in the most difficult cases, while 
in those of not a very serious character, constitutional remedies, to- 
gether with such local treatment as the patient can administer him- 
self without the aid of a physician or surgeon, may be successfully 




STRICTURES OF THE URETHRA. 



450 CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE URINARY ORGANS. 

prescribed; but in no case of gonorrhoea or other inflammatory 
affection of the urethra, nor in a case of stricture, should the person 
affected trust to his own judgment and remedies, unless he be him- 
self an expert in the treatment of these maladies. 

Among " young men about town," gonorrhoea is regarded far too 
flippantly, and many are heard to say they " don't mind it any more 
than a cold in the head," but most of these reckless fellows learn 
their mistake in course of time. Aside from strictures and the no 
end of trouble that may arise from them, gonorrhoea may be early 
followed by the most intractable form of rheumatism, and lay a 
man up for six months, or it may bring on orchitis, swelled and in- 
flamed testicle, one of the most painful diseases known, and keep 
him out of business on that account from three to six weeks. If 
both testes be thus affected, the inflammation may seal them up for 
life and render him sterile, or incapable of paternity. 

In woman, gonorrhoea has opportunity to do more lasting harm 
than in men. The gonococci (microbes of the pus) may find their 
way into the womb and along the Fallopian tubes, and light the 
fire of an inflammation that can hardly be quenched, or if it be, 
the scars left in its wake will be very likely to cause barrenness. 

Another serious complication of gonorrhoea in either sex is its 
infection of the eyes, when through carelessness a particle of the 
discharge is conveyed to them on the finger. Innocent children 
also may become victims of the disease when gonorrhoeal relatives 
or boarders in the family are reckless in the use of towels and hand- 
kerchiefs. The discharge is always extremely contagious, and 
should be handled with care, and cloths that have come in contact 
with it should be destroyed by fire. 

Perhaps no disease is more often treated with medicine recom- 
mended by a friend, or bought ready-made of druggists ; but the 
possibility of serious complications and sequelae make it eminently 
wise for any and every victim of it to obtain the best advice and 
treatment he can afford. It is not a disease to trifle with in any case. 

The author has long been accustomed to invite free consultations 
concerning all the diseases of the urinary organs, including several 
not common enough to be described herein. Where analysis of 
the urine is necessary, three dollars is charged for this, except to 
those already undergoing treatment. Samples should be sent by 
express, prepaid, or, if by mail, only in special mailing boxes. 



OPPOSITE PAGE 451 PLATE III. PLAIN HOME TALK . 



! 




SIDE VTEW OF ABDOMEN AND PELVIS, showing the 
diaphragm, liven gallbladder and stomach drawn 
up.oul: of natural position ; the "reflections" of 
peritoneum or sack which covers the organs 
and holds them in place, and also the relations 
of womb bladder and rectum. 



DERANGEMENTS OF THE MONTHLY FLOW. 453 

my pen rest and rust rather than use it in pandering to ridiculous 
fancies and propping up dogmas which, if not bolstered up by a 
rigid conservatism, would fall through their own inherent rottenness. 
This book is not written to gloss over prevalent vices or to eulogize 
customs and views founded only on the whims and caprices of mankind, 
but to take a common-sense view of the subjects on which it treats. 
Uterine diseases are becoming so common, that women entirely ex- 
empt from them are more rarely to be met with than those who are 
suffering to a greater or less degree with them in some form. Nor 
do these difficulties affect women merely locally. So complex and 
delicate is the procreative system, and so intimately connected is it 
by the nervous ramifications with every organ in the body, it cannot 
be the seat of disease without affecting the general health. Even so 
natural a process as fcetal formation in tie uterus disturbs the health 
and comfort of nearly every woman who becomes pregnant. Par- 
ticularly in the first stages of pregnancy, nausea at the stomach and 
other disagreeable symptoms are usually felt, while some females, 
through the whole period of gestation, have painful, and others, 
alarming symptoms. In the case of a woman of Lyle who had fiva 
' children at one birth, during the last two months of her pregnancy, 
according to the statement of the Journal des Annonces, all objects 
before her eyes were several times repeated, but after her delivery 
her sight returned to its natural state. Now, if a woman is so liable to 
suffer, however slightly, when the womb is simply performing one of 
the functions it was made to perform, is it not self-evident to every 
person, that the presence of disease must produce incomparably 
greater suffering ? I can, at least, truthfully affirm that in a large 
majority of all my female patients, I have found more or less uterine 
disease ; and, further, that it was the intermediate cause of whatever 
other difficulties existed. What I mean here by intermediate cause, 
is that which, following nervous and vascular derangements, pro- 
duces, in turn, other physical ills. Let, then, coramon sense, rather 
than preconceived notions or popular prejudices govern the minds of 
my female readers, while I proceed to treat id the most common 
chronic diseases which affect the female organs of procreation. 

Derangements of the Monthly Flow. 
Every little girl should be early informed by her mother or guar- 
dian, that at some time during her girlhood, if her system is in a 



454 PMYATE WORDS FOR WOMB1T. 

healthy condition, a flow of hlood will appear from the sexual organs 
and recur once in about every four weeks. This function is termed 
menstruation. For want of proper information in this matter, many 
a frightened girl has resorted to every conceivable device, to check 
what she supposed to be an unnatural and dangerous hemorrhage ; 
and thereby inaugurated menstrual derangements which have pre- 
maturely terminated her life or enfeebled her womanhood. I have 
been consulted by women of all ages who frankly attributed their 
physical infirmities to the fact of their having seated themselves in 
a snow bank, applied ice, or made other cold applications locally, in 
their frantic endeavors to arrest the first menstrual flow ! Intelligent 
mothers, who in girlhood, escaped this ignorance, this crime against 
nature, and this penalty, I beg of you, as you value the health and 
happiness of your daughters, not to take it for granted that they 
will be as fortunate as you have been, but take it upon yourselves to 
discharge your whole duty to them, and impart such information in 
regard to their physical functions as will insure their safety. 

Menstruation commences generally between the ages of twelve and 
fourteen, and there are all kinds of unaccountable variations from 
this rule. In the year 1858 there was living in the town of Taunton, 
Mass., at the public charge, a mother who was not quite eleven years 
of age! One instance came under the author's observation in which 
the menses made their appearance at the age of only three years, and 
accompanying the premature advent of this function, was the devel- 
opment of the breasts as at the age of puberty. Another wherein a 
young woman married at the age of seventeen, and died childless 
with consumption at about thirty, without having had a menstrual 
flow, or any known affection ctf the uterine organs. No examination 
was made after death, but it is altogether probable that there was 
some obscure malformation of the upper part of the womb, the fallo- 
pian tubes, or the ovaries. 

Immediately preceding the first appearance of the menses, girls, 
reared according to the customs of our as yet imperfect civilization, 
feel considerable languor, aching in the back, pains in th$ limbs, 
chilliness and restlessness, and, if they come on tardily, pressure of 
blood in the head, headache and dizziness are usually experienced. 
The establishment of the function gives relief, and if the person 
possesses an average degree of health, the flow will take plaoe with 
uniform periodicity, without unpleasant symptoms, till what is called 



DERANGEMENTS OF THE MONTHLY FLOW. 455 

the 4 'turn of life," except when interrupted by child-bearing and 
nursing ; and occasionally an instance is met with wherein preg- 
nancy does not put a stop to the menstrual flow. 

" Turn of life," is when nature terminates the menstrual function, 
and woman becomes emancipated from the pains, anxieties, and cares 
of child-bearing. This takes place in some cases as early as thirty, 
and as late as fifty-five or sixty ; but, in most cases, not far from 
forty- five. A statement appeared in one of the journals a few years 
ago, that a woman in Batavia, N. Y., was safely delivered of a male 
child at the age of sixty-four years! "Extremes meet," when we 
place this case in contrast with the one mentioned a moment before 
of the little girl having all the functions of womanhood at the age of 
three years! Change of life often takes place prematurely in per- 
sons who have suffered long from physical weakness. In these cases 
the flow will make its appearance irregularly, at intervals of several 
months, and greatly aggravate all difficulties previously existing. 

It was once generally supposed, and the same opinion is now enter- 
tained by many, that the menstrual flow is in some way produced by 
the detachment of ova or eggs from the ovaries. 

Physiologists thus believing, claim that pregnancy can only take 
place a little before, or a little after, the menstrual period. But 
every physician in large practice who has been disposed to give the 
matter investigation, finds that the ova are developing and descending 
at no regular period, and that nearly all women are liable to become 
pregnant at any time. I know that some physicians, recognizing the 
latter fact, account for it by saying that the zoosperm of the male 
enters the womb and there awaits the descent of the ova. This is 
improbable for two reasons, viz. : the zoosperm will not live to exceed 
thirty-six hours in the vagina, however healthy its secretions, and 
there is no reason to believe it will live longer in the cavity of the 
..-<>mb without nourishment ; and, secondly, the exudation of blood 
from every part of the lining of the womb when menstruation takes 
place, would rather have the effect to sweep it out than to retain it, 
till it could find an ovum. If the two germs coalesce, some few 
hours or days before menstruation, it may obtain sufficient develop- 
ment and attachment to the walls of the uterus, to remain. But it 
is unphilosophical to suppose that either the zoosperm or ovum singly 
and alone could effect lodgment in the womb when the cavity of that 
organ is perfectly drenched with blood. Then too what becomes 



456 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEN. 

of the million of ova or eggs found in the ovaries by the microscope, 
if only one or even quite a number descend once a month ! No, it 
is evident that the only relation that menstruation sustains to ovala- 
tion is, that the excessive presence of blood in the female generative 
organs, once in about twenty-eight days, stimulates the generation 
of the female germs. The blood that passes off, exudes from the 
congested vessels of the womb and from its walls, just as profuse 
perspiration sometimes bathes the brow, trickles in rivulets down the 
face, and runs in a stream from the chin. And this profuse exuda- 
tion is sufficient to sweep every thing from the cavity of the womb, 
excepting a foetus which may have obtained sufficient development 
to possess at least the rudiments of a placenta attached to its walls. 

"What is the use of menstruation," some one may inquire, u and 
what part does it perform in the physical economy ?" The doctors 
do not essay a reply to this question, and it is consequently presum- 
able that they do not know. They look wise, but they do not say 
any thing. It is perhaps one of those secrets that should not be 
divulged to the public ! I have a theory and I am going to present 
it: Menstruation is nature's wash-day. The ovaries above the 
womb carry on a pretty extensive manufacturing establishment, and 
throw off the ova and the waste matters, or chips, through the 
fallopian tubes into the cavity of the uterus. While this work of 
generation is going on, nature has a wash-day once in about four 
weeks, and pouring the blood into the womb's cavity, washes its 
walls, and empties all outside ; and in order to waste no vital 
material the poorest blood in the circulation is used for the purpose, 
for menstrual blood possesses none of the vital properties peculiar to 
that taken from the arm, or to that which escapes when hemorrhage 
occurs. While pregnancy exists, house-cleaning is generally laid 
aside, for a period of about nine months, and if the activity of the 
glands of the breasts is sufficient to arrest the production of germs 
in the ovaries, wash-days are not resumed until the mother has 
weaned her child, and the suspension of the manufacture of milk in 
the breasts allows the ovaries to return to their work. When at 
forty -five, or thereabouts, the shop is permanently closed and ovala- 
tion ceases, there is no further necessity for the wash-days, and the 
menstrual function disappears. 

The breasts and the uterine organs of the female exhibit the most 
intimate relation si lip. When menstruation commences in girlhood, 



DERANGEMENTS OF THE MONTHLY FLOW. 457 

the breasts at once begin to enlarge. Diseases of the womb or ovaries 
often give rise to pain or aching in the breasts. Barrenness, arising 
from inactive ovaries, arrests the development of the breasts, and in 
some cases causes the latter to shrink away to simply the prominence 
of the nipple. I once examined a case of suppurating tumor in the 
breast of a woman who informed me that when the tumor discharged 
daily, she did not have her menses, but when it dried up, the menses 
appeared regularly, and that there had been for several years an 
alternation between the tumorous and menstrual discharges. With 
these necessary preliminary observations for the proper understand- 
ing of the subject, I will now proceed to speak of the derangements 
of the menstrual flow. 

Irregular and painful menstruation is among the most common of 
the many menstrual derangements. I group irregular and painful 
because these symptoms usually present themselves together, 
although cases of irregular menstruation do occur without pain, 
and of painful menstruation, without irregularity. Irregular men- 
struation may result from the deficiency of blood in the system to 
perform the function so often as once a month, and in this case it 
may take place without pain. Painful menstruation may arise from 
inflammation or other disorders of the womb, in cases where nature 
is strong enough to force all barriers, and present the periodical flow 
with mathematical regularity. In most cases, however, those causes 
which are sufficient to produce one, are such as may induce the other. 

In some young women, the menses are irregular and painful, be- 
cause the hymen has not been ruptured, or in consequence of the 
aperture of the hymen being too small to allow the free passage of 
the menstrual blood. Then, partial retention and decomposition of 
the menstrual blood poisons the general circulation, and the impuri- 
ties so generated and absorbed return to inflame and congest the 
womb, so that in a little time the menses do not make their appear- 
ance periodically, or without pain, even after the hymen has become 
ruptured. The same condition of things has often been produced by 
checking the menses in the manner alluded to in the first part of this 
essay, and by contracting colds just before, or during the flow. 
Strictures, obstructing the orifice through the neck of the womb are 
often the cause of painful derangements of the menstrual function. 
Any thing, in fact, which may obstruct the orifice leading to the 
cavity of the womb, is liable to disturb the regularity and freedom 
20 



458 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEN. 

of the menstrual flow. Ulcers in the neck of the womb may do this, 
and so may any tumorous formations therein. In some cases the 
womb becomes so displaced that the menstrual function is interfered 
with. For instance, if the womb be so fallen as to imbed the mouth 
of that organ in the back wall of the vagina, the outlet is as effectu- 
ally stopped as is the mouth when the hand is closely pressed over it. 
In such a case as this, the womb becomes engorged with blood before 
it forces the outlet, and then it passes out sluggishly and in a way to 
cause the person so affected much distress. In all cases of ulcers or 
tumors, impurities of the blood give rise to them, and the predispos- 
ing cause of displacements of the womb, is want of vitality in the 
vascular fluids, with which to give strength to that organ, although 
other causes may have immediately precipitated the difficulty. Con- 
gestion and inflammation of the ovaries and womb are frequent 
causes of painful and irregular menstruation, and these with the 
causes previously alluded to, are the ones most commonly en- 
countered in medical practice. 

Among those causes which appear less frequently, I may give as 
examples — polypi of the womb, hardening of the inner lining of 
the uterus, and the periodical shedding of the lining of the interior 
cavity of the womb. In cases coming under the head last mentioned, 
the lining in some instances comes away almost complete ; in others, 
it is broken into strips or shreds. Then, cases are met with of fruit- 
less women who become pregnant so far as the union of the zoosperm 
and ovum are concerned, and nature makes an effort to retain the 
germ of a new being, but either because of inflammation or weak- 
ness of the procreative organs of the female, or in consequence of 
want of vitality in the foetus itself, it simply protracts the appearance 
of the menses for a few days, or a few weeks, when suddenly the 
flood-gates are opened and the menses make their appearance out 
of season, and in some cases attended with great pain. 

Immoderate flowing, or flooding, may arise from irritability or 
inflammation of the womb, and when protracted, there is evidence 
of continued inflammation and congestion. Women of strong ama- 
tive passion are more predisposed than others to a difficulty of this 
kind, although instances are not wanting of those possessing little or 
no passion being thus affected. 

Insufficient or slight menstruation may also arise from inflam- 
mation and congestion of the womb. In some cases the inflammation 



DERANGEMENTS OF THE MONTHLY FLOW. 459 

may be so great as to nearly or quite obliterate the cavity of that 
organ, or to obstruct the outlet, in which case the flow is slight and 
labored, and in many instances protracted. Slight menstruation may 
arise from a bloodless condition, the person so affected having really 
too little blood to perform the function properly. Cases of this kind 
often suffer from great depression and lassitude at such times. It 
seems as if the nervous forces and vascular fluids are barely sufficient 
to carry on the daily work of the body, and when this extra work is 
added, it can hardly be accomplished. It is as when an engine is 
producing just enough steam to revolve a certain number of wheels 
in a factory and an extra belt and wheel are added, when all at 
once the whole machinery moves sluggishly, and as if about to 
stop. 

Suppressed menstruation may arise from an aggravation of any 
one or more of the causes already stated in the foregoing ; or, it may 
occur in consequence of conception. If the cause be disease and the 
person be not bloodless, the face is usually flushed, the head con- 
gested, while headache, vertigo, and more or less pain in the ovaries, 
womb, and back are experienced. If the suppression is not overcome 
by the healing powers of nature or by proper treatment, hemor- 
rhages of the lungs may take place with the same periodicity that 
menstruation should appear ; or the blood may flow every month 
from the nostrils, mouth, eyes, stomach, or from the rectum. If sup- 
pression be caused by pregnancy, the common symptoms are a grad- 
ual change in the redness around the nipple to a purple color ; 
enlargement of the breasts and abdomen; sickness at the stomach 
mornings ; unaccountable aversion to some article of food previously 
much relished ; and longing for something little thought of before. 
All of these symptoms do not usually manifest themselves in one 
case, for while nearly all women in this condition have the first 
three, the others are distributed about, according to individual 
peculiarities. Then again, the fact should not be overlooked that 
other causes may produce these very symptoms. For instance, 
dropsy may enlarge the abdomen and breasts and arrest menstru- 
ation. Tumors in the womb or ovaries may produce the same 
results, and the disturbance of the menstrual flow by any one of 
these causes, may induce some one or more of the other symptoms 
which usually attend pregnancy. Even physicians are sometimes 
obliged to wait and let time determine tne question. It may be 



460 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEtf. 

asked " What can be done in such cases ?" My reply is, give only 
such remedies as will have a tendency to strengthen and impart 
health to the procreative apparatus. Indeed, in no case should 
remedies be given to force the menses. This is the common method 
of treating such difficulties, I know, but not by any means a safe 
one ; and no physician can reasonably excuse himself for the act of 
effecting abortion on the plea that he did not positively know preg- 
nancy existed in a given case. It is sufficient, and much better for 
the patient, to use remedies that have a tendency to impart health to 
the womb, ovaries, and contiguous organs. This treatment can do 
no harm when pregnancy is the cause, and will allow it to go on to 
the full natural period with no injury to the foetus, while in cases 
of disease, if properly selected and prepared, they will remove the 
obstructions and prepare the circulation for the function so that 
nature will be enabled to resume it at as early a day as possible 
without disturbance to the general health. 

Menstrual derangements should never be neglected, for in all 
cases, excepting suppression by pregnancy, they lead to other dis- 
eases which are liable to prove troublesome, and perhaps fatal. In 
women of slender figure they are apt to induce consumption either 
of the blood or lungs ; in those of full habit, they are liable to cause 
affections of the brain, liver, heart, and stomach, predisposing these 
organs to congestion and the person affected to apoplexy. In many 
cases, when neglected, they induce hemorrhages of a troublesome 
and dangerous character. Answers to the questions given in another 
place in this book will enable the author in all cases to discover the 
causes and suggest the best means of overcoming them. 

Leucorrhoea. 

By some this disease is called fluor albus; but among women 
generally, it is better known by the name of u whites." It exhibits 
itself usually at the outset by a slight discharge of a thin, watery 
fluid from the vagina. In time this discharge thickens and becomes 
more copious. In its advanced stages it may present a green, a 
yellow, a brown, or a florid appearance. Often in one case the dis- 
charge will change from time to time not only in its color, but in its 
consistency and quantity. The disease is usually accompanied with 
a great degree of lassitude, particularly in the morning; fainting; 
variable appetite; palpitation of the heart; shortness of breath; 



LEUCORRHCEA. 461 

paleness ; dark circles around the eyes ; pain in the back and loins ; 
and, in many instances, smarting of the water, as in a case of unmis- 
takable gonorrhoea. Indeed, in aggravated cases, it possesses all the 
acrimony and characteristics of the last-named disease. As I have 
already referred to the similiarity of gonorrhoea and leucorrhoea, 
when the latter possesses peculiar acrimony, I need not repeat it 
here. What I allude to is presented under the head of Gonorrhoea 
and Stricture in the preceding chapter. Considering the infectious 
qualities of leucorrhoea in many instances, it is well to suggest to 
married people in this connection, not to be too suspicious of each 
other when something having the appearance of gonorrhoea pre- 
sents itself. I have on several occasions been called upon by men 
suffering with discharges from the urethra, who were jealous enough 
to suspect their wives of infidelity. On the other hand I have been 
consulted by women, who on the first appearance of an acrimonious 
leucorrhoea, imagined that their husbands had been up to something 
not exactly consistent with matrimonial fidelity. An excellent imita- 
tion of gonorrhoea may be often worked up between husband and 
wife when one is scrofulous. If both parties possess a scrofulous 
diathesis, the chances are still greater that an affection of this kind 
may be generated. 

Leucorrhoea is a disease which is generally very prostrating in its 
effects. Now and then a woman may be met with who preserves all 
the bloom and exuberance of health while a discharge of this kind 
is going on daily ; but these are rare exceptions to a general rule ; 
for, in by far the greater number of cases, the difficulty is attended 
with all the symptoms peculiar to it, and in time with those of a 
more distressing character. The constant drain, if not checked, 
leads to general uterine derangements ; irritability of mind ; nervous- 
ness ; hysteria ; difficult respiration ; and consumption. In dissect- 
ing a subject who has died of the effects of this distemper, the surface 
of the uterus presents a pale, relaxed, and flabby appearance. It is, 
indeed, an affection in women corresponding in many respects with 
spermatorrhoea, or involuntary seminal emissions in men ; and it 
gradually undermines the constitution of females who are its victims. 

The predisposing causes which produce leucorrhoea are vascular 
impurities and nervous derangements, and then there are exciting or 
immediate causes, the most common of which I will examine. (I may 
add here that all exciting causes derange the nervous and vascular 



462 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEN. 

health, and that consequently there exists a reciprocal relation be- 
tween predisposing and immediate causes.) 

It is humiliating to say that masturbation among young ladies is a 
prolific cause. But the truth should be told for the benefit of those 
who, from ignorance of its consequences, are slaves to the vice, and 
nowhere can it be revealed so appropriately as in the pages of a 
medical work. Under sixteen or eighteen years of age, girls are not 
so much addicted to the pernicious habit as boys ; but after that age, 
and until marriage, the rule i9 reversed. This anomaly can be 
accounted for. Kakish young men are always admitted to good 
society, while the appearance of wildness among young ladies 
awakens the bitter tongue of slander, which only the most modest 
and retiring demeanor on their part can silence, while defiance to it 
banishes them from all good society. Thus the hot blood of budding 
man and womanhood, stimulated by exciting food, drinks, and con- 
diments, leads the young man to the embraces of the harlot, and the 
young woman to the vices of the secret chamber, so that the former 
sacrifices his moral sense, and the latter her physical bloom and 
health. True, the young man exposes himself to a fatal inoculation 
of venereal poison; but with all this risk, his vice, so far as the men- 
tal and bodily health is concerned, is the safer. 

I remember being consulted by a father concerning the poor 
health of his two daughters, aged respectively, twenty-two and 
twenty-four years. From the description of their cases, they ap- 
peared to be physical wrecks, suffering with almost every complica- 
tion that ever afflicted poor mortals. I saw by an analysis of their 
symptoms, that although nervous and vascular disturbances were the 
present causes of their complaints, self-abuse had induced these. I 
informed the father as to the nature of the present causes, but to 
spare the feelings of the young ladies, I dropped a private note to 
each of them, revealing the whole truth in regard to the terrible 
vice which was destroying them. With commendable frankness 
they responded to my letters, acknowledging the accusation, and 
informed me of their ignorance of its hurtfulness. They further 
stated that they had long been troubled with leucorrhcea, and that 
they were even disturbed with lascivious dreams, from which they 
were awakened in the highest state of amative excitement. Many 
similar cases have been presented to me for my opinion and medical 
aid, but never before any so hopeless as those I have just mentioned, 



LEUCORRHGEA. 403 

for they were on the verge of insanity, and already affected with oc- 
casional mental hallucinations as terrible as those which attack the 
degraded inebriate. 

Sexual excesses among the married, bad habits for the prevention 
of offspring, cohabitation with uncongenial husbands, for whom no 
love is entertained, sedentary habits, retention of part of the men- 
strual blood in the folds of the vagina, are also among the immediate 
or exciting causes of leucorrhoea. 

If proper regard were paid to cleanliness (excuse me, ladies, but it 
is so), there would be much less liability to this debilitating distem- 
per. Every female who has arrived at the age of puberty should 
thoroughly syringe the vagina with pure water every morning, ex- 
cepting while having her menses, and at the same time apply plenty 
of soap and water to the labia or lips of the vagina, for there are 
located about the clitoris and contiguous parts, glands and follicles 
which secrete an oily fluid for the preservation of their moisture. 
If this secretion is allowed to remain too long, it undergoes a 
chemical change, which imparts to it not only a disagreeable odor, 
but an acrimony which is liable to induce irritation. All oily sub- 
stances become rancid and disagreeable by age and neglect, and 
these secretions, provided by nature for moistening, softening, and 
preserving the health of these parts, are subject to the same law. 
"When the vagina and labia are kept cleanly, they are as pure and as 
sweet as the mouth and lips of the face when they are properly taken 
care of. 

In a previous edition of this work I spoke adversely to an excessive 
use of water in the vagina immediately after the copulative act, for 
the prevention of conception, and I may call attention to this point 
again. In order that I may not appear inconsistent, let me here 
explain that immediately after great amative excitement, the nerves 
of the procreative organs and the lining of the vagina are in an 
unfit condition to receive a deluge of any fluid. If the fluid be 
cold, it gives a shock to the excited nerves which, if frequently 
repeated, in time deadens their sensibility, and whether cold or warm, 
the absorbents of the lining membrane are so active at such a mo- 
ment that considerable quantities of the fluid are absorbed, greatly to 
the ultimate injury of the general health. When, however, the 
nerves and membranes of these organs arc not under the influence 
of amative excitement, or just recovering from it, they may be 



464 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEN*, 

cleansed as frequently as the mouth may be, not only without injury, 
but with decided benefit. Within two days after the cessation of 
the flow of the menses, there should be a general drenching of the 
walls of the vagina with castile soap-suds, followed with clear water, 
so as to remove every particle of menstrual blood that may linger, 
and then every day until nearly time for the menses to reappear, 
copious injections of water should be made to preserve the healthi- 
ness and cleanliness of the parts. " But, Doctor, you would not thus 
advise unmarried women, would you ?" Certainly I would, simply 
because it is just as necessary for them as for married women. 
Health is of more consequence than the whims of society. As I am 
a physician I shall not feign ignorance of the anatomy or structure 
of the orifice of the vagina in young women, nor shall I, as an in- 
habitant of this mundane sphere, where a great many funny customs 
and foolish notions exist, overlook the supposed evidence of virginity 
which young husbands in their own immaculate purity (?) usually 
expect to find in their newly made brides. Nor can I, in justice to 
my views, ignore the fact which my extended observation as a phy- 
sician has presented, that many a young husband has been disap- 
pointed in finding such evidence, when his bride was as innocent as 
an infant, and she consequently, the victim of the most unjust and 
shameful suspicion. 

It is a custom more in keeping with the drolleries and phantasms 
of the barbarians than with the common sense and scientific light of 
ihe nineteenth century, to esteem those only as virgins who have an 
unruptured hymen. The Lex Africanus describes one of the wed- 
ding customs of the Africans as follows : " After they were married, 
the bridegroom and bride were shut up in a chamber while the 
wedding dinner was preparing, and an old woman stood by the door 
to receive from the bridegroom a sheet having the bloody tokens of 
the wife's virginity, which she showed in triumph to all the guests, 
and then they might feast with joy; but, then, if there was no blood 
to be seen, the disappointed guests went home sadly without their 
dinner." "Row this custom, although revolting to people of intelli- 
gence, is excusable in heathens ; but does it look well for those en- 
joying the light of civilization to so far imitate it as to require an 
unbroken hymen as an evidence of virginity ? Physicians know it 
is a very fallible test of virginity ; that the hymen is often ruptured 
by various accidents ; that cutaneous eruptions near the labia many 



LEUCORRHCEA. 



465 



times exist of such an irritating nature that the hymen is broken by 
the incessant scratchings of the victim ; that the hymen is often de- 
stroyed by surgical operations in childhood ; that sneezing, coughing, 
violent straining, and any number 
of other causes may break it; 
that the test is in fact no test at 
all, and only subjects those who 
happen to have the hymen broken 
to unjust and cruel suspicions. It 
is only a few days since I was 
called upon to examine a little girl 
only seven years of age, whose hy- 
men had been destroyed in conse- 
quence of an irritating eruption on 
the labia causing her to scratch 
and frictionize the parts even in 
her sleep, and I could mention 
many other instances coming un- 
der my observation in which the 
hymen had been destroyed by the 
same cause or by accident. "Why, 
then, preserve the hymen? Why 
regard it as an evidence of vir- 
ginity when such a test only ex- 
cites mortification and a sense of 
disgrace in a large proportion of 
all young females, not a small 
number of whom have always been 
chaste and unexceptionable in their 
character? Besides, the mortifi- 
cation of a broken hymen only 
falls on those the most innocent, 
and such as have become the least 
acquainted with the vices of the world. The courtesan and mistress, 
and even respectable young women, who have eaten of the fruit 
of knowledge and trespassed against social statutes, know how to 
resort to deceptive means to throw off all suspicion when they are 
married. There are inventions devised for the express purpose of 
deceiving young husbands, and so well do they effect their object, 
*20* 




NATURAL POSITION OP THE WOMB. 

, the vagina, and above it the uterus ; g, 
the bladder ; 1, the rectum. 



466 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEN. 

that those men who actually know of their existence may be com- 
pletely deceived by them. Even a physician may be hoodwinked by 
these artifices unless he ungallantly requires his bride to submit to 
an examination. Now, as a rule, those females who are "fast" 
enough to have carnal connection with a man, are also sharp enough 
to possess themselves of these devices, while only those who have 
been innocent of such wildness enter marriage so unsophisticated as 
to be ignorant of these things. 

In asserting that the hymen is a cruel and unreliable test of virgin- 
ity, I do not stand alone. Every intelligent physician, particularly 
in extensive practice, knows the fact, if deference to popular prejudice 
leads him to conceal it. But many have freely proclaimed it. Pan- 
coast states — " The presence of the hymen was formerly considered a 
certain test for virginity, on account of its being ruptured during 
coition. This idea has long since been repudiated, for it is not un- 
frequently lost through accident, disease, etc. In many instances it 
does not give way in the first or subsequent connections and preg- 
nancy. In such cases the spermatozoa of the male work themselves 
through the opening of the hymen, and finally pass up through the 
vagina, uterus, and into the Fallopian tubes, where impregnation 
occurs. Therefore medical writers no longer regard the presence of 
the hymen a proof of chastity or its absence a proof of immorality." 

Dr. Ferguson says — " The sides of the vagina are in contact ordi- 
narily, but it is capable of enormous distention and of again return- 
ing to its natural size. The opening is closed by a fold of the mucous 
membrane, which is called the hymen. This membrane is easily rup- 
tured, or it may become so relaxed as scarcely to be perceptible, 
which will account for its rarity in adults. From very early times 
it has been made the test of virginity, its absence being considered 
conclusive proof of sexual intercourse having taken place. Modern 
investigations have proved, not only that it may be destroyed by many 
causes unconnected with sexual indulgence, but that intercourse 
may take place, followed by pregnancy, without its destruction^ It 
is, therefore, of no value as a test" 

Dr. Parr states — " The hymen naturally shrinks with years, or is 
torn by straining, and often disappears at an early age. It can there- 
fore he no proof of virginity." 

Dr. Wilson remarks, that "the hymen must not be considered a 
necessary accompaniment of virginity, for its existence is very un- 



LEUCORRHCEA. 467 

certain. When present it assumes a variety of appearances ; it may 
be a membraneous fringe with a round opening in the centre ; or a 
semilunar fold leaving an opening in front, or a transverse septum 
leaving an opening both in front and behind ; or a vertical, bored 
with an opening on either side." 

The natural purpose of the hymen is to protect from colds and ex- 
posures the sensitive sexual organization of the female before the age 
of puberty, for until this is sufficiently developed to perform the men- 
strual function it is extremely delicate. The provisions of nature are 
admirably calculated to arouse in the minds of intelligent beings 
veneration for the beneficent Creator whose handiworks are exhibited 
on every side. The "leaves of the common chickweed approach 
each other in pairs, so as to include within their upper surfaces the 
tender rudiments of the young shoot." The bud of every flower is so 
enveloped as to protect its delicate internal structure till maturity, 
when it bursts forth with its fresh beauty and imparts delightful 
fragrance to every passing zephyr. Nuts of every variety are pro- 
vided with an outer bur or shuck to protect them in their embry- 
onic state, and by the time the autumnal frosts come, the shell which 
contains the meat becomes strong enough without protection, so that 
the outer one can be dispensed with. 

It is difficult to tell how much the hymen may have to do in shield- 
ing the procreative organs of females from exposure and disease, 
during the early period of their development. It is only known that 
young girls who, through any accident, have lost this protecting 
membrane, are more liable to uterine affections. But the age of 
puberty, indicated by the appearance of the menses, is one in which 
the hymen may be altogether dispensed with ; for whether accident 
or marriage happens to the young female within six days or six years 
after the appearance of the meases, it is certain her reproductive 
organs are fully matured, and that the hymen has fully subserved 
the purpose for which it was made. In some cases the hymen proves 
bo great an obstacle to the flow of the menses that the whole vaginal 
canal becomes blocked up, when hysteria and other spasmodic af- 
fections ensue. Under such circumstances it must necessarily be 
ruptured, and, when very strong, with the knife of the surgeon. 
When the hymen remains unbroken until after marriage, it oc- 
casionally occurs that it has become so cartilaginous by age that the 
vagina cannot be entered, in which case the unfortunate bride is 



468 PRIVATE "WORDS FOR WOMEN. 

obliged to submit to a surgical operation for its removal. Now, if 
this membrane was not so carefully protected and valued, such an- 
noyances as these would be avoided, while the hundreds and thous- 
ands who have, by accident, ruptured it, would not be the objects of 
crushing suspicion on the part of those who possess so little ana- 
tomical knowledge that they are not aware such accidents ever 
happen. The commencement of menstruation marks a new era in 
the life of a female. She becomes more graceful in her manners; 
her face changes ; her breasts rapidly develop ; she loses her childish 
airs and becomes more attractive and womanly. It is then that she 
should be treated as a woman, not only socially, but hygienically and 
medically. 

The menstrual blood was supposed by the ancient Jews and the 
medical men of Arabia, to possess peculiar malignant properties, 
and in some countries the laws and customs required that females 
should be cloistered during the menstrual periods. In Isaiah, xxx. 
22, the writer speaks of the defilement of graven images, which shall 
be cast away as a menstruous cloth ; and in Ezekiel, xviii. 6, and 
xxxvi. 17, allusions of the same import are made. " It was formerly 
supposed, and so stated by Pliny and others, that the menstrual 
blood contained principles of a noxious and poisonous character. 
Pliny informs us that 'the presence of a menstrual woman turns 
wine sour, causes trees to shed their fruit, parches up their young 
fruit, and makes them forever barren ; dims the splendor of mirrors 
and the polish of ivory, turns the edge of sharpened iron, converts 
brass into rust, and is the cause of canine rabies.' " 

"While I have no respect for antiquated notions, unless sustained 
by reason and philosophy, I am disposed to agree with these ancient 
views so far as this : that the menstrual blood becomes acrimonious 
if it is permitted to remain and decompose in the folds of the female 
vagina, and that leucorrhcea and ulceration of the vagina or womb 
are often the results of the excoriating properties developed by par- 
ticles retained in the vagina, and particularly in that of young 
females, whose hymens have not been ruptured. My observation 
fully sustains these conclusions, but I do not think the menstrual 
blood malignant or injurious, if a woman takes care that the vaginal 
cavity is cleared of all relics of the fluid. 

Mankind entertain a thousand whims, and I am not disposed in 
this work to meddle with any which do not interfere with cleanliness 



LEUC0RRHGB3A. 469 

and good health ; but I consider it my prerogative to attack those 
which do interfere with physical development, and the comfort and 
health of the human race ; and I cannot but regard that one which 
leads a young husband to suspiciously and sneakingly seek to know 
if his young bride has an unruptured hymen, as humiliating and de- 
grading to all the nobler attributes of a moral and intellectual being. 
My advice therefore is, that single females, as well as married, should 
keep the vagina cleansed of every decomposing particle of menstrual 
blood, and that the female syringe should be thoroughly used within 
forty-eight hours after the menses have ceased. The more efficient 
the instrument used the better. In fact, the common glass and 
metallic syringes are little better than none. The various patterns 
of india-rubber syringes are the best, because they can throw such 
a volume of water, and that, too, with so much force, that every 
particle of decomposing blood can be washed away. The annexed 
cut represents the best article of the kind, „. . 

;* 7 Fist. 124. 

considering its simplicity and little liability 
to get out of order (see page 911). 

Young unmarried women, of course, value 
(or at least should) as of first and paramount 
importance in the regulation of their cus- 
toms and habits, the advice of intelligent 
and Christian mothers. I would not urge 
upon them the use of the syringe at the end 
of each monthly period without the consent rubber syringe. 

of their maternal guardians. But may I not Bv composing the oblong 

., , , J rubber-ball, a, the water is 

hope that sensible mothers who Watch with drawn in at b, and expelled 

ji n , „ , . at c. From b to c, is a con- 

anxious eye the nrst symptoms of disease tinuous rubber tube, which is 
and decline in daughters just blooming into J£"& ZcU Z' in *S2 
womanhood, will take a practical view of illustra tion. 
the hints I have given, and advise them to regard more scrupulously 
the requisites of health than the morbid and foolish notions of sen- 
sual mankind I As for married women, there is no possible excuse 
for their non-observance of the most rigid rules for the maintenance 
of cleanliness. They should use the female syringe very thoroughly 
at the end of each catamenial flow, with soap and water, and then 
daily with pure water, as before directed. 

The use of astringent injections is the most popular mode of treat- 
ing leucorrhoea, but however much relief may be obtained in this 




470 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEN. 

way, it is usually of the most temporary nature, unless accompanied 
with such medicaments as will improve the general health and impart 
vitality to the whole procreative system. A bad case of leucorrhcea 
is of quite too threatening a nature to trifle with ; and in its incipi- 
ent stages, it had much better receive skillful treatment, for it is 
liable at any time to assume a troublesome and prostrating form, 
which may end in premature decline. 

Falling of the Womb. 

This difficulty may almost be said to be co-existent with civiliza- 
tion. Travelers report that among the women of savage and semi- 
barbarous countries this affection is hardly known. This fact, taken 
in conjunction with the proverbial one that falling of the womb is a 
prevalent disease with women living under our system of society, 
furnishes a subject worthy of the consideration of medical men, 
social reformers, and of those who have the good of humanity 
at heart. 

When the abdominal muscles, or those of the womb itself, be- 
come relaxed by insufficient nervous stimuli ; when the vagina be- 
comes weak through tbe debilitating effects of leucorrhcea so that it 
fails to do its part in sustaining in its place the organ suspended 
within its walls ; when a pernicious fashion induces a woman of not 
very strong muscular organization to compress her waist so as to 
press down the stomach and bowels below their normal position ; 
when constipation engorges the intestines with fecal matter so as to 
produce a pressure at the top or back of the womb ; or when a preg- 
nant female, bound on expelling from the uterus the embryo of a 
human being, resorts to some means to effect abortion ; through any 
ona or more of these causes, the advent of a distressing disease, 
usually termed prolapsus uteri, may very reasonably be looked for. 
Although more common to married women, the unmarried are not 
exempt from it. If correct statistics of the prevalence of this dis- 
ease could be presented, they would astonish the reader. 

The position of the womb when it is prolapsed is various. In 
some cases it falls over to one side or the other ; sometimes it turns 
almost a complete somersault ; in a few cases there will be found 
to be a prolapsus not only of the womb, but of the vagina, so that 
the neck of the womb absolutely protrudes ; in some cases it is found 
to lie crosswise— the top pressing one side of the vagina, and the 



AFFECTIONS OF THE WOMB. 473 

debility, and nervous irritability. I say these are the common 
symptoms, but I should here mention that I have often encountered 
cases of prolapsus of the womb in my practice, in which there were 
no unpleasant local symptoms whatever. The displacement had oc- 
curred at such an early age that the system had been made gradually 
to tolerate its unnatural position. In these cases, when the physician 
suspects something wrong about the uterine organs, the patient 
quickly informs him that she is perfectly sound in that locality ; and 
she has reason to think so because she has no one of the symptoms 
common to an affection of this kind ; but an examination reveals the 
correctness of her physician's opinion ; and it is generally found in 
cases of this kind that their ill-health proceeds directly or indirectly 
from the uterine displacement. 

Leucorrhoea generally precedes, and in most cases attends, falling 
of the womb. When chronic irritation or inflammation, with more 
or less congestion, are also present, existence is a burden, and 
married life a curse rather than a blessing. Unless relieved or cured, 
months or years of misery, according to the endurance of the sufferer, 
are fastened upon her, until consumption, or some other disease in a 
fatal form, forever relieves her of her physical distress. 

In the incipient stages of the disease the exercise of walking is 
necessary to keep up what is left of the muscular strength ; but in 
advanced stages this exercise is generally too painful to be endured, 
and in such cases frequent manipulation of the abdomen with the 
hand should be resorted to. All the muscles may indeed be benefited 
by pressure and manipulation by a healthy hand. 

To cure prolapsus, various utero-abdominal (should read abomina- 
ble) supporters or pessaries have been invented, more for the purpose 
of making money than doing good. These mechanical means are 
irritating to the womb and vagina, which are so delicately organized 
and permeated with sensitive nerves, that constant contact with any 
wood, glass, earthen, or metallic contrivance used to support the 
parts, can only give temporary relief and ultimate injury in most 
cases ; while instances do occur in which the first effects are so 
irritating and distressing that the patient dies from inflammation 
induced thereby. These worse than senseless things should be 
dispensed with entirely, and the disease treated locally and consti- 
tutionally, as the common sense of the skillful physician naturally 
suggests. 



474 PEIYATE WOUDS FOR WOMEN, 



Ulceration of the Womb, 

This disease is common to women of a scrofulous diathesis; a 
venereal taint in the system may also produce it. Other less virulent 
impurities of the blood occasionally induce it. The neck of the ute- 
rus is its most common location, and it is attended with an offensive 
discharge from the vagina, and much burning heat and pain in the 
region of the abdomen. Aside from its debilitating, painful, and 
offensive effects, it is liable to lead ultimately to cancer of the womb, 
a distressing disease which is generally difficult to cure, particularly 
in its advanced stages. Taken in season, ulceration may be easily 
eradicated, and even cases of cancer of the womb are not always 
incurable. "When either ulceration or cancer affect the vagina or 
womb, the acrimonious nature of the purulent secretions are such 
as to impart disease to the organ of the male in copulation, unless the 
membraneous envelope is used. 

Polypus of the Womb. 

This is a tumorous affection characterized by the growth of fleshy 
fungus, which often attains great size. This disease seldom occurs, 
except in cases which are affected more or less with scrofula. In 
such cases, often more than one tumor presents itself, some of which 
are hard <ind firm in their fibres, and others soft and spongy. Fe- 
males affected with this difficulty are often suspected of pregnancy. 
I was once called upon by a lady affected with polypus of the womb, 
who had been pronounced pregnant by several physicians, some of 
whom had made private examinations. Had her disease been per- 
mitted to run on until a period when time would have disclosed the 
mistake, she might have become hopelessly incurable. A thorough 
examination satisfied me at once as to the nature of her disease, and 
I was enabled to prescribe remedies appropriate thereto. 

Dropsy of the Womb; 

This is a uterine disease which is not so common as the ones I 
have previously considered. Occasionally, cases are met with in a 
large practice, and in mine I have found it quite as prevalent aa 



AFFECTIONS OF THE WOMB, 475 

other dropsical affections. This disease often leads to the suspicion 
that the invalid is pregnant, and sometimes physicians who ought to 
discriminate more correctly, are deceived by it. . It was owing to the 
palpable ignorance of those who were considered the first physicians 
of England, that Lady Flora Hastings, a maid of honor to Queen 
Victoria, was driven in disgrace from the court. She was supposed 
to be enceinte, and being a single lady, for her to become a mother 
would have had a most prejudicial effect upon the character of the 
court. The most notable matrons and physicians were summoned to 
make an examination, and their decision was confirmatory of the ter- 
rible suspicion. The broken-hearted lady soon afterward died of 
dropsy of the womb, which had deceived her medical examiners. 
Greater medical stupidity cannot be conceived of ! Had her physicians 
possessed the skill which they should have possessed, to wisely dis- 
charge the responsible duties of their position, the disease of the lady 
would have been readily detected, and her life and reputation saved. 
In both polypus and dropsy of the womb, the delicacy of ladies to sub- 
mit to private examinations, and the destitution of diagnostic skill in 
the medical profession, lead to some mischievous blunders. Although 
I seldom find it necessary to resort to such examinations, to decide as 
to the true nature of the disease, cases occasionally occur in which 
such examinations are necessary ; and when necessary, the good 
sense of the patient should overcome all feelings of delicacy. I had 
opportunity once, to admire the courage and good sense of a very 
respectable and modest young woman of sixteen or seventeen, who 
had cancer on one of the lips of the vagina, which was so far advanced 
as to require local treatment. Although she possessed all the mod- 
esty and refinement common to the well-bred ofher sex, she submitted 
without objection, and with commendable heroism, two or three 
times a week to the necessary topical treatment ; and I am fully 
convinced that my success in treating her case, was greatly owing 
to the freedom which enabled me to give the disease the attention it 
required. Had she been more prudish than sensible, there can be no 
doubt that her distressing affection would have proved fatal. 

When women suffering with uterine difficulties apply to a physi- 
cian, they must bear in mind that there is no part of their system 
with which he is not thoroughly familiar. 



476 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEN. 



Chronic Inflammation of the Womb. 

When, succeeding childbirth, abortion, contusion, or other cause, 
acute inflammation ensues, if not properly treated by the medical 
attendant, either death, or chronic inflammation of that organ, is the 
result. The chronic form of the disease is characterized by soreness 
in the region of the uterus, great pain in cohabitation, nervousness, 
fretfulness, and, in many cases, pains in the breast. Sometimes the 
uterus will enlarge, and the courses become irregular, scanty, or pro- 
fuse. The inflamed and swollen uterus may press upon the bladder 
so as to interfere, more or less, with the urinary organs. This dis- 
ease may be aggravated by hot and stimulating foods, condiments, 
violent exercise, and grief. Local treatment, alone, cannot cure 
chronic inflammation of the womb, for in all cases of this kind, there 
are constitutional disturbances which must be removed. 

Vaginal Affections. 

It would hardly seem necessary at this point in this chapter, to 
explain what the vagina is ; but still it may be that some have failed 
to draw any inferences from the preceding matter, relative to its lo- 
cation, construction, or office. I will therefore describe it as a canal 
of cylindrical form, five or six inches in length, situated between the 
bladder and rectum, its mouth forming the front external open- 
ing below the pubes, and its upper extremity encircling the neck of 
the womb as illustrated, not only in some figures presented in pre- 
vious essays in this chapter, but also in those representing the effects 
of constipation upon the procreative organs. It is lined, internally, 
by a mucous membrane, and around this membrane is a layer of 
spongy, erectile tissue. It is provided with muscles, veins, and 
nerves, and its office is to receive the male organ in sexual intercourse, 
and conduct the spermatic fluid to the womb for the purpose of 
reproduction. 

The membranes, muscles, nerves, etc., are liable to be affected by 
disease. The lining may be the seat of ulceration, in which case, 
smarting and pain are experienced, and a disagreeable discharge from 
the orifice observed, as when the womb is ulcerated. The lining is 
sometimes attacked by eruptions, causing the most intense itching, 
and when, to allay this itching, the membrane is frictionized, a 



NYMPHOMANIA. 477 

swelling or pnffiness arises, attended with distressing smarting. In 
some cases, this eruption extends to the lips of the vagina ; and 
when these parts are rubbed or scratched to allay the itching sensa- 
tion, they become greatly inflamed and swollen. When either ulcer- 
ation or eruption affects the vagina it indicates an impure condition 
of blood, from which the difficulty arises ; and, although the local 
affection may be somewhat benefited by washes and injections, con- 
stitutional treatment is necessary to effect a permanent cure. In 
cases of ulceration, astringent injections of decoctions of white-oak 
bark, or of alum water, or of a weak solution of nitrate of silver, are 
sometimes useful. "When the vagina and its external parts are affected 
by irritation and itching, a free use of castile soap-suds as an injection, 
and as a wash, frequently allays the troublesome symptoms. A weak 
solution of sugar of lead, may also be applied in cases of this kind, 
cs a local application; but whatever is done locally should be accom- 
panied with thorough treatment for the blood. The muscles of the 
vagina are so much relaxed sometimes, by leucorrhcea and other 
causes, that the lining becomes loose and flabby, and, in some cases, 
actually protrudes. Electricity, locally applied, is advantageous in 
affections of this kind ; but even this should be accompanied with 
internal treatment calculated to strengthen and build up the muscu- 
'lar system. 

Nymphomania. 

This is a name given to a disease not unfrequently occurring among 
females of both high and humble life, and which is characterized by 
j violent desire for coition. Hooper describes it as "a species of 
madness, or a high degree of hysterics. Its presence is known by 
ihe wanton behavior of the patient; she speaks and acts with unre- 
strained obscenity, and as the disorder increases, she scolds, cries, 
and laughs by turns. While reason is retained she is silent, and 
seems melancholy, but her eyes discover an unusual wantonness. 
The symptoms are better or worse until the greatest degree of the 
disorder approach s, and then, by every word and action, her condi- 
tion is too manifest " 

Hooper's description applies, of course, to the most marked cases of 
nymphomania. But it exists in various degrees of intensity, and in 
the mildest cases causes only desire for excessive venery, without 
symptoms which betray her feelings to those about her. The cause 



478 PRIVATE WORDS FOR WOMEN. 

of this singular difficulty is altogether attributed by medical writers 
to a local irritability of the procreative organs. I cannot acquiesce 
fully in this explanation. That nervous irritability, or, rather, that 
too much nervous or electrical stimulus is present in these organs 
there can be no doubt ; but an inharmonious distribution of the nerv- 
ous forces among the organs of the brain, manifestly precedes or 
co-operates with the former condition. It is a fact that ought to be 
well understood, that the nervous forces, sometimes in consequence 
of some violation of nature's laws, are withdrawn, or partially so, 
from one or more organs, and the excess given to another, so that, 
while one or more may be deprived, or nearly so, of their vitalizing 
or stimulating presence, the recipient of the excess is excited to an 
unusual degree. Thus one or more of the organs of the brain may 
become abnormally excited at the expense of inactivity to the rest, 
so that a person will be fanatical on some one subject, and think and 
talk of little else. In brief, he has a " hobby." In consequence of 
this mental inharmony, growing out of an unequal distribution of 
the nervous forces among the organs of the brain, we often meet with 
crazy poets, fanatical religionists, mad politicians, luny inventors, 
harum-scarum doctors, etc., etc. Now, when the causes of these 
peculiar conditions of mind are understood, according to my explana- 
tion, is it not easy to see how an excess of nervous force may be 
sent to the organ of amativeness, at the expense of other organs of 
the brain ? If the reasoning and moral organs are robbed to supply 
this excess, how natural that a woman who may have previously sus- 
tained a spotless character for modesty and reserve, should, with such 
an abnormal condition of the mental faculties, exhibit uncontrollable 
emotions in the presence of men, in extreme cases, or a disposition to 
indulge to excess in venereal pleasure, with husband or paramour, 
when able to restrain her emotions in company. The intellectual 
organs are almost paralyzed, and the nervous or electrical stimulus 
which should give them activity is expended upon amativeness ; and 
this organ, very naturally, expends its excess upon the nerves center- 
ing in the sexual or procreative system, of which it is the head and 
director. 

Females laboring under nymphomania deserve rather the sympathy 
than the condemnation of friends. It is a species of monomania, and 
as such should shield its victim from unjust and uncharitable asper- 
sions. 



AMOROUS BREAMS. 479 

When the blood is diseased and nymphomania exists, inflammation, 
irritation, and sometimes ulceration, locate about the pudenda, vagina, 
and uterus, rendering the parts sore and extremely tender. But this 
condition of the organ is not sufficient to deter the female from the 
act of coition if the opportunity offers. A very respectable married 
woman, afflicted with this malady, whose desire for coition was 
incessant, in describing her symptoms to me in a letter, said : " In 
describing myself, I cannot think of any better way of expressing 
myself than to say it feels good to be hurt." This quaint and frank 
statement conveys the idea exactly, for the nervous excitability of 
the organs of amativeness and the sexual parts, demands gratifica- 
tion, however sensitive the latter may become by the presence of 
ulcerous or inflammatory diseases. 

My mode of treating nymphomania without complications, is such 
administrations of electricity as are calculated to equalize the nervous 
circulation, and draw off the excess from the organ of amativeness 
and the sexual parts. In complications growing out of blood impuri- 
ties, the treatment must combine both electrical and blood-purifying 
remedies. My theory of the disease is original, as is also my mode 
of treating it, but my success in its management convinces me that 
both are correct. 

Amorous Dreams* 
Women, as well as men, are subject to these, and they are nearly 
as debilitating to the former as they are to the latter. Although no 
very vital secretions are lost by a woman so affected, the vital or 
nervous forces are expended without recompense, as in masturba- 
tion. An amorous dream is indeed practically an involuntary act of 
masturbation. It has often been remarked that no exercise is so 
tiresome to the muscular system as to kick or strike at nothing. All 
know, too, how it wrenches one to step down a foot or two while 
walking. "What this wrench is to the muscular system, an amative 
dream is to the nervous system. A volley of nervous force is gath- 
ered up from all parts of the body, and directed with the greatest 
impetuosity toward a supposed companion in the sexual embrace, 
and it passes off with violence and is lost, while the compensative 
nervous or electrical volley from the supposed companion is not 
received. In men this nervous loss is accompanied with an expen- 
diture of some of the most vital fluids of the system — those secreted 



480 PBXYATE WORDS FOR WOMEN. 

by the testicular glands, and which are composed of the most vital 
elements of the blood. In women, the nervous waste is simply ac- 
companied with an expenditure of glandular secretions of not much 
more vital value than the saliva or spittle of the mouth. But the 
nervous waste — the nervous shock — the wrench to the magnetic sys- 
tem, is such as will, if frequently repeated, prostrate the nervous ener- 
gies, destroy the memory, and weaken all the faculties of the mind. 

Some married women have these dreams who do not enjoy natu- 
ral intercourse. The function of the amative organs is so perverted 
that the imagination can affect those organs when contact with a 
male companion cannot arouse them. This morbid and unnatural 
condition has, in most cases where it exists, been caused by mastur- 
bation. The amative organs of the brain, and those occupying their 
proper position in the body below, have been trained as it were to 
act alone or without the help of a companion of the opposite sex ; 
and after marriage it is found, much to the mortification and disap- 
pointment of the wife, that she is unable to participate in the pleas- 
ures of the sexual act, while her dreams are made delirious with 
imaginary pleasure. It seems as if the erectile muscle and tissue of 
the clitoris, labia, and vagina had become so accustomed to receive 
their inspiration or magnetism from, to use a homely illustration, the 
back-door, that they are perfectly dead to any raps at the door in 
front. The organs have been accustomed to simply unmagnetic 
friction locally, and that of the most violent nature, so that the 
milder friction of the male organ, and the presentation of a magnetic 
force to the nervous termini, produce no sensibility whatever. They 
6eem to shrink from it. 

Married or single women awaken from these dreams with a sense 
of weakness they are often unable to account for. They do not 
suspect for a moment the true cause. General want of energy, 
in both mind and body, and sometimes back-ache, weakness of the 
limbs, faintness, and entire want of appetite, are experienced in the 
morning, especially when one of these dreams has taken place during 
the preceding night. 

Masturbation is not in all cases the cause of these debilitating 
dreams ; sexual isolation, diseased wombs, ovaries, etc., many times 
induce this morbid condition of the amative organs ; but whatever 
the cause, the disastrous effects are the same, and no woman, young 
or old, should allow these dreams to occur without making thorough 



SEXUAL DYSPEPSIA. 481 

effort for their cure. Some have them once a month, others much 
oftener. I have had cases wherein they occurred every night. This 
frequency is frightful. Once a week is sufficient to overcome the 
strongest constitution in a few years. For their cure I have found 
electrical applications very efficient ; but for those at a distance, or 
for such as prefer to consult me by letter, I prescribe such treatment 
as I allude to on page 299. It is necessary, the same as in the treat- 
ment of nymphomania, to equalize the nervous circulation, and to 
restore those nerves centering in the sexual organs to their natsi J 
condition, and the treatment referred to seems sufficient to effect 
this result. As these are not new cases in my practice, no person 
affected should hesitate through feelings of false delicacy to present 
her case for advice. Consultations in person or by letter, are strictly 
confidential. 

Anthropophobia and Sexual Apathy. 
These are the very antipodes of nymphomania. The first causes 
repugnance to, or dread of coition ; and the other a perfect disinclina- 
tion for the act. These are much more prevalent diseases than nym- 
phomania. I term them diseases because they are manifestly entitled 
to this classification. Ail perfectly formed females, if their organs 
of amativeness are properly active, and their sexual organs in a nor- 
mal condition, are susceptible to amative desires and emotions, and 
pleasurable sexual excitation. Inasmuch as the size of the organ of 
amativeness varies in different females, of course this susceptibility 
varies in a corresponding degree; but when repugnance or total 
indifference exists, one of the faculties which God designedly im- 
planted in women, is paralyzed, as much as the arm is paralyzed if 
it is deprived of sensation and motion. 

It is not, however, my design to treat of these diseases here. I 
choose to reserve a further consideration of them to an essay in Part 
[V., to which the interested reader is referred. I merely desire to 
name them in this connection, because I regard sexual repugnance 
and indifference as diseases of so prevalent a nature as to deserve 
mention in this chapter on chronic diseases of the female organs of 
procreation. 

Sexual Dyspepsia. 

Probably this is the first time the term dyspepsia has been applied 
to any other affection than that of the stomach when digestion is in 
21 



482 PRIVATE WORDS FOB WOMEN. 

some way interfered with ; but there is an affection to which some 
married women are subject, presenting, mentally, all the symptoms 
of dyspepsia when the stomach is free from disease, and the digestion 
tolerably active, or entirely so. As it proceeds from derangements 
of the amative and procreative organs, I shall denominate it " sexual 
dyspepsia." The affection is unlike anthropophobia, because this 
is characterized by dislike of men, and decided aversion to sexua/ 
intercourse. It is unlike sexual apathy, for this simply consists of 
inability to enjoy the sexual embrace. In sexual dyspepsia there i> 
often a morbid desire for coition, just as in some cases of stomach 
dyspepsia, there is a voracious appetite for food with no capacity tc 
digest it. Intercourse in this case makes the female irritable, dis- 
satisfied, and wretched. She may momentarily experience pleasure, 
locally, and then all at once every particle of sensation flies away, 
and at the close of the act, she finds herself exhausted, disappointed, 
and annoyed by the fluctuating moods which she experienced during 
its continuance, and in a condition of mind, for days afterward, which 
renders her peevish, irritable, whimsical, and discontented. Even 
when sexual desire is moderate, and coition is attended with variable 
sensibility and final disappointment, the result upon the mind is just 
about the same as I have described when a morbid desire exists. 
Indeed, the mind, in these cases, exhibits all the varying and incon- 
sistent moods peculiar to one affected with confirmed dyspepsia of 
the stomach. Every movement and motive of the husband is misin- 
terpreted; and if the affected wife be of a jealous disposition, the 
atmosphere of the house is loaded with vapors of restlessness which 
settle down upon the innocent heads and hearts of every inmate like 
soot from a smoky kerosene lamp. The magnetic atmosphere is 
thick, stifling, and poisonous, completely destroying social enjoy- 
ment. There is, indeed, no restful happiness for any one under the 
same roof; and the worried, half-crazed husband runs his hands 
through his hair ; presses his temples ; lays hold of his boots, and 
reaches out to touch other things mundane to satisfy himself that he 
has not " waked up " in Hades. 

The immediate causes of sexual dyspepsia are various. It may 
arise from marriage of convenience rather than of affection ; from 
displacements of the uterus ; from vaginal irritations, or uterine con- 
gestions; from too great similarity of temperaments; from local 
inadaptation ; and from a capricious disposition, or ever-changing 



OVARIAN DISEASES. 483 

temper, on the part of the wife. When it proceeds from either the 
first or last mentioned cause, it is not in the power of a physician to 
remedy the evil ; hut when it arises from any of the causes named 
intermediately, a medical man who has given proper attention to the 
treatment of affections of the sexual organs, may usually prescribe 
successfully for its removal. It will be noticed that the first cause 
referred to, as well as the last, is not dependent upon physical derange- 
ments, while the other causes, with two exceptions, are so depend- 
ent. Any one affected with sexual dyspepsia, or with sexual apathy, 
or anthropophobia, is at liberty to consult the author. 

Ovarian Diseases. 

The consideration of these diseases might properly find place in this 
chapter, but as I shall have to go over the same ground when I come to 
treat upon barrenness, space will be saved heve by referring the reader 
directly to the chapter u Hints to the Childless." The subject of bar- 
renness itself, the reader may think, properly belongs to this chapter, 
but on perusing that, it will be found that barrenness is not alone 
peculiar to women, and as I have considerable to say in regard to 
sterility and its cure, I prefer to plnce the suggestions I have to offer 
under that head, in a chapter by themselves. 

Treatment of Diseases referred to in this Chapter. — More or 
less has already been said, under each head, of the treatment best 
adapted to these affections, but a few words more may be properly 
added. It is quite too commonly the custom of physicians to depend 
entirely upon the application of caustic, or to injections, or to some- 
thing else which simply affects the part immediately diseased. The 
result is, that any encouragement which the patient receives through 
temporary benefit is followed by discouragement in consequence of 
ultimate failure ; and there are thousands of women to-day suffering 
with uterine derangements who really believe that there is no help 
for them. There are even some physicians who have been led by 
their poor success in these cases, to pronounce them incurable. 
Now I am confident that all thi3 discouragement on the part of the 
patient, and all this failure on the part of the physician, is mainly, 
if not entirely, due to the fact that those constitutional derange- 
ments which either preceded the local difficulty, or became compli- 
cations after the local difficulty had made its appearance, are over- 



484 PRIVATE WORDS FOR "WOMEN. 

looked. In my practice I have generally found myself able to 
permanently cure these supposed incurable cases. I first satisfy my 
mind regarding the constitutional complications which co-exist, and 
give especial attention to them at the same time I am treating the 
local difficulties. What I have in various parts of the foregoing 
essays denominated immediate, intermediate, exciting, or provoking 
causes of uterine derangements, may be properly termed sub-causes. 
The vascular or nervous system, or both of these systems, must have 
been antecedently deranged, to allow the sub-causes to which I have 
alluded, to fasten chronic affections upon these organs, unless tbey 
were directly caused by mechanical injuries, abortions, or venereal 
contagion; and even in these cases, the blood and nervous system 
become involved, and then react upon the local diseases, so that 
perfect recovery in all cases depends upon the comprehensive treat- 
ment I have named. 

Many of my patients of this class very likely get tired of hearing 
me advise dress reform as one of the first essentials to successful 
treatment. Much criticism has, in previous chapters, been given 
to the unfortunate features of women's mode of dress, and the gen- 
eral advantages to be expected if they could be removed ; but it is 
especially when some congestion or mal-position of the womb exists 
that it is absolutely necessary to " let up on it." Constrictions about 
the waist, heavy skirts hanging on the waist for support and excess 
of clothing over the congested parts, are so literally depressing in 
their effects on the womb that there is small chance of getting it 
into normal place and condition until all such evils are removed. 
To effect this, it is not even necessary to make any considerable 
change in the outer garments, or adopt bloomers. It can be effected 
by so altering the clothing as to carry all its weight from the shoul- 
ders, and relieve the soft abdominal region of all constriction, 
weight, and pressure. This subject, and other matters relating to 
the successful management of diseases of women, with a view to 
saving them from the necessity of many surgical operations, have 
been clearly presented in a dime pamphlet by Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr., 
on " Gynecology, or Diseases of Women." Those who may not 
have learned just what they need to know from this chapter, will 
very likely find it there, or, if not, the author stands ready to make 
up for the deficiency by freely answering letters of inquiry. 




CHAPTER IX. 

HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

i AKKENNESS is a word which designates a physi- 
cal condition abhorrent to every one in married 
life, who has not already become a parent. The 
exceptions to this rule are only those who have 
but recently entered matrimony, or such as have 
not yet acquired means sufficient to enable them to under- 
take the expense of rearing a young family. Whether 
love of children is limited or universal, the idea of being 
barren, is one from which every individual who has been 
long married, and has not at least one child to enliven the 
family circle, instinctively recoils. Such a condition has 
in all nature but one parallel, and that, the great desert which 
spreads its vast expanse wearily before the eye without a blade of 
grass, leaf, twig, or tree to nod a welcome to the passing breeze, nor 
the first crystal of water to reflect in prismatic colors the golden rays 
of the sun. With many females, the grave is more cheerfully looked 
forward to than childless longevity, and not a few husbands would 
rather die in the prime of manhood, leaving an heir, than to live to 
gray old age and be esteemed incapable of reproduction. The care- 
less world cannot know the secret yearnings of the hearts of such 
unfortunate persons so well as the physician ; nor is the family doctor 
so liable to find them out as one engaged in a national practice like 
myself. A majority of childless married people will strive to make 
their neighbors think they cannot endure children, while the physi- 
cian in whom they have confidence, living ten, twenty, or a thousand 
milea off, is intrusted with the secret of their hearts 1 desire. Now, I 
am betraying the confidence of no one in making these general 
remarks. I never breathe the professional secrets intrusted to my 
keeping, nor would I make these general allusions to them, except 



486 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

for the fact that those of my readers with a houseful of babies migbti 
feel surprised to find space, however limited, devoted to the subject 
of barrenness. 

A wife who has had four or five children, generally wishes herself 
barren, feeling that she has done her share toward populating the 
world, and she is entirely unfitted by her fruitfulness, to sympathize 
with one, who, loving children, has none of her own to love. But, 
taking a serious view of the matter, however badly children may 
sometimes turn out, childless old age is a dismal future for the mind 
to dwell upon, and, having reached it, the present is no less cheerless. 
The hearthstone of a married pair, in the vigor of life, is electrified 
with the presence of the bright roguish eyes which mischievously 
watch the smiles and frowns of approving and reproving papas and 
mammas, while no vernacular is so enchanting as the hesitating and 
rambling utterances of " our baby " when it first begins to kill the 
king's English. The new father seems more dignified, and stands 
several inches higher in his stockings, while the mother is never tired 
of relating the extraordinary feats and accomplishments, or quoting 
the wise remarks of her prodigy. Passing the meridian of life, doting 
parents watch with pride the developing genius of a promising son, 
or the unfolding brilliancy, beauty, or goodness of a favorite daugh- 
ter, while the infirmities of old age are deprived of their depressing 
influences by the affectionate attentions of grateful children. There- 
fore the desire for children is natural, and all honorable means to 
obtain them excusable. A woman who is devotedly attached to 
them cannot imagine how far she might go in her attempts to become 
a mother, unless placed right in the position of one who has spent 
many years of married life without a sign of pregnancy. 

The female members of the human family very early give evidence 
of their love of children. A little girl who knows nothing of the 
process of obtaining a living child, nor possesses sufficient physical 
development to produce one, evinces her love of offspring by making 
rag babies, and dressing and caressing the dolls which are purchased 
for her at the store. As she becomes older, she loses attraction for 
this imitation of the real article, and loves to attend a live baby. A 
noble woman has said: " Motherhood is the ideal state of woman- 
hood to every woman not arrived there. * * * Woman must 
yearn for motherhood because she is woman." 

The long and short of the matter is, no woman, in the secret recesses 



HIOTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 487 

of her own heart, will felicitate herself with the reflection that she is 
physically incapacitated to hear a child. You who read this, and 
who, in middle or advanced age are without children, will whispef 
to yourselves — u This is true. 1 '' Aside from the incentive to child- 
bearing, which proceeds directly from the love of children on the 
part of woman, the wife naturally fears that she will lose the affec- 
tion of the husband if, after many years of marriage, there is no 
issue; nor is this fear without foundation, for instances are not 
wanting wherein separations have occurred simply on this account. 
Napoleon and his Josephine present a notorious example of this 
kind, and probably every reader will remember some such case com- 
ing under his or her immediate observation. At least, I am confident, 
every physician in large practice has personally known of one or more 
such cases. 

Considering, then, the importance of the subject, do not require me 
to go around that information which may be most useful to you, for 
the purpose of employing words and illustrations which cannot pos- 
sibly offend the false modesty of some who are unwilling to take a 
sensible view of any thing relating to the organs of procreation. 
These pages have been written for the childless by one who has 
given much attention to what is popularly called barrenness ; but 
those belonging to this unfortunate class, who are at all given to 
prudery, should avoid even a cursory perusal of the matter presented 
herein. Our Creator has as yet, so far as the writer's observation 
extends, provided only one process for procreation. That process 
may be varied to meet the necessities of various cases ; but in some 
way or other the germ generated in what is called the testicles of 
man, must be brought in contact, in the womb, with the germ gen- 
erated in one of the ovaries of woman. We who call ourselves 
human beings, properly belong to the animal kingdom, and must 
consequently be governed by the laws which govern animal life and 
its perpetuation. However sexual intercourse maybe regarded as an 
act indulged in for merely sexual gratification, for the single high 
purpose of reproduction, it should be considered not only free from 
vulgar criticism, but as one divinely chaste, and, indeed, indispensa- 
ble, unless we can all adopt Shaker philosophy and theology. In 
fact, it is not participation in this peculiar physical contact for the 
main purpose of reproduction, that has led the whole affair to be 
privately esteemed attractive and unavoidable, and to be publicly 



488 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

considered disgusting ; but rather excessive copulation for the mere 
sexual pleasure it affords. A man who gluts his stomach with rich 
viands and libations from his breakfast hour until bed-time, ultimately 
becomes dyspeptic, and when his appetite has become cloyed, and 
his stomach painfully sensitive, he regards nearly all food as disgust- 
ing and nauseating. Forgetful of his former habits, he is surprised 
at the gluttony of his more fortunate neighbors who have not yet 
reached the stage of diseased stomach, and he thinks the world is 
made up of despicable gourmands. Now, a large majority of men 
and women are sexual dyspeptics. In other words, they and their 
ancestors have drank so deeply and so unnaturally from the cup of 
sexual pleasure, that the act by which God designed mankind to per- 
petuate itself, and the organs which he gave to perform the function 
of procreation, are looked upon as not only inherently disgusting, 
but beneath the worthy attention of Christianized people. Sexual 
connection may be indulged in as an animal necessity in the privacy 
of the bedchamber, or even in the abode of the harlot ; but a treatise 
upon these organs and the most effectual plans for securing fruitful- 
ness to those who have been denied the pleasures of maternity and 
paternity, may not unlikely be regarded as impure, obscene, and 
unfit for perusal. My idea is simply this : That sexual intercourse 
for merely sensual pleasure when true affection is absent, may not be 
morally or religiously elevating ; for the purpose of procreation, it 
is neither socially, morally, nor religiously debasing, but rather obe- 
dience to a divine mandate. It may be entirely right, and in har- 
mony with the design of the Almighty, that men and women should 
cohabit to a moderate extent for pleasure only. There are those who 
question this. It is, certainly, in harmony with the design of our 
Creator that cohabitation should take place between the sexes for 
perpetuating our species. This cannot be questioned by a reason- 
able person who has not a Shaker cavity in his brain. The repro- 
ductive organs then, instead of being morally neglected and treated 
as too vulgar for our consideration, should be regarded as the most 
valuable of all our organs, and the most worthy of our care, so that 
they may be employed, at least, for the most important object of 
their creation. The stomach digests the food which supports life ; 
the organs of the brain give rise to various thoughts, feelings, and 
emotions; our eyes enable us to see objects beautiful, or disagreeable 
about us; our ears to hear sweet sounds or grating discord; our 



THE CAUSES OF BARRENNESS. 489 

noses to smell delightful odors or disgusting fumes ; and all the other 
organs of the human body, excepting the reproductive, minister 
simply to the heing who now lives ; hut none of them possesses tl 3 
mysterious power of a creator; none can reproduce themselves; 
and, excepting for the procreative organs, all those I have named 
would cease to exist in a little time. When we consider this fact, 
5; is hardly strange that the people of the pagan world worship 
images fashioned like the procreative organs of hoth sexes ; but it is 
strange that any process of refinement, or any school of civilization 
should have been able to lead the human family to be ashamed of 
them. It has been said very truly, that " many people are ashamed 
that they have bodies ;" and it may be still further said that nearly 
all are ashamed of the most complex and wonderful of all the or- 
gans of those bodies. If, as a large share of the human family 
believe, this false sentiment is the result of sin — if the fall of man 
led him to envelop himself in fig-leaves, it seems to me that we had 
better all g<. t up as soon as we can, and comport ourselves as 
obedient children of our common Father. The child may be to 
blame for falling, but there is not a particle of excuse for his not 
making an effort to regain his feet. 

Let it be understood that this chapter is intended for sensible peo- 
ple — for those who can look beyond the prudery of Mrs. Grundy, 
and appreciate the true uses of things — for true men and women who 
are disposed to take a scientific view of important matters, however 
delicate, without a too sensitive regard to the conventional preju- 
dices to which civilization in its infancy has given rise ; in brief, for 
those who possess all the foregoing qualities, with a laudable desire 
to be happy fathers and mothers. 

The Causes of Barrenness. 

I do not propose in this chapter to treat upon every possible cause, 
but rather to confine myself to those causes which may in some way 
or other be overcome. Those causes which may be put down as 
irremediable in any way whatever, are those arising from some con- 
genital malformations of the organs of procreation which are some- 
times met with, or some organic destruction of the completeness of 
the procreative system by disease, accident, or surgical operation. 
Among the former may be mentioned deformities of the vagina, 



490 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

womb, fallopian tubes, and ovaries of the female; or testicles, sper- 
matic tabes, or penis of the male. Among the latter may be named 
strictures of the womb of an obstinate character, caused by inflam- 
mation or ulceration of the cavity, stricture of the fallopian tubes, 
misplacement of the fimbriated extremities of the fallopian tubes, 
permanent adhesions of the fimbria to the ovar'os, and a partial 
destruction of the ovaries of the female ; and of the male, the removal 
of the testicles by disease or the surgeon's knife, their partial destruc- 
tion by self-pollution and sexual excesses, the permanent consolidation 
or obstruction of the tubes carrying the semen from the testicles to 
the seminal vessels, and such a permanent obstruction of the canal 
of the urethra as to resist the propelling force of the ejaculatory 
ducts, causing the seminal fluids to be emptied into the bladder. 

Those which may be regarded as common, and which may be 
obviated by some means, may be classified in the order of their fre- 
quency, as follows — First: local inadaptation. Second: diseased 
condition of the wife. Third : diseased condition of the husband. 
Fourth : excessive amativeness. Fifth : temperamental inadaptation. 

Local Inadaptation. 

This is pretty faithfully represented in all its varied phases in 
figures 127 and 128, which I have hud designed and engraved express- 
ly to illustrate this essay. No attempt has been made at anatomical 
accuracy in giving the form of either the male or the female organs. 
The obvious reason for this, is to avoid unnecessary offence to what 
is popularly regarded as refined taste. 

I am more and more convinced, every year of my practice, that 
local inadaptation is the commonest cause of barrenness. While it is 
true that some women are so susceptible to impregnation that they 
will conceive if the seminal fluids be but deposited within the lips of 
the vagina, whatever may be the position of the womb, there are 
very many who cannot, unless the local adaptation is so perfect as to 
cause the fluids of the male to be poured directly into or upon the 
mouth of the womb. In an excited state of the healthy uterus, the 
mouth draws toward itself and sucks up at least a portion of the 
male fluids, if deposited near it ; but this absorbing or suction power 
differs to a remarkable degree in women, — so much so, indeed, 
that in some who greatly enjoy the copulative act, it is feeble, and 



LOCAL INADAPTATION. 491 

the susceptibility to impregnation slight ; while in others, who enjoy 
the embrace but little, or possibly not at all, it is so powerful as to 
take up fluids deposited in any part of the vagina. It has been, and 
is now, supposed by many, that the female cannot become pregnant 
unless she enjoys coition. Even physicians entertain and publish 
this fallacy. It is a great error, for while the clitoris and erectile 
tissue which, by excitation, usually give pleasurable sensations, may 
be nearly or quite paralyzed, so that the wife is indifferent, or, per- 
haps, opposed to intercourse, the mouth of the womb may be active, 
and the ovaries, where the ova or eggs are formed, fully capable of 
performing their functions, so that conception will result. I have 
met many such cases, and have been called to explain the reason in 
hundreds of them. The fact is, many women will conceive by simply 
the injection of the male fluids into the vagina, or even the deposit 
of a drop of them on the lips of the vagina, when they are not under 
a particle of amative excitement. On the other hand, a woman may 
be excessively excitable, amatively, and keenly relish the embrace, 
when she is not susceptible to impregnation. One reason for this is, 
that while the clitoris and erectile tissue may be full of animation 
and susceptibility, the mouth of the womb may act sluggishly, and in 
some cases, the ovaries in addition, may be at fault. Another reason 
will be presented before the conclusion of this chapter. 

Notwithstanding the two prominent peculiarities I have just in- 
stanced, it is nevertheless true, as a general rule, that amative excite- 
ment and enjoyment of the act of coition in most women, render 
impregnation more certain ; and, considering the prevalence of slug- 
gish wombs, local adaptation is very desirable, and often indispensa- 
bly necessary when children are wanted. Unless the womb be active, 
as the male organ relaxes from its distended dimensions, or is with- 
drawn after the expenditure of the semen, the folds of the vagina in 
closing together press out the seed of the male, and the childless wife 
at the close of each intercourse meets with the disappointment of 
finding the impregnating fluid upon her clothing, until by its contin- 
ued frequency she ceases to expect any thing better, and despairingly 
giv«s up her fondest hope of becoming a mother. 

The reader should carefully examine the annexed illustrations in 
the light of the foregoing explanations, and it will then be easily 
understood how a great many wives may be childless simply because 
of the failure of the male fluids to reach the mouth of a sluggish 



492 



HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 



womb. In these illustrations of local inadaptations, I embrace dis- 
placements of the uterus. These are common ; more common than 
is generally supposed, for the reason that it is popularly believed that 
displacements do not exist in healthy women. It is generally 
thought that only those have displacements who are affected more 
or less with discomfort in the pelvic region. They are generally 
associated with such symptoms as leucorrhcea, dragging or bearing- 
down feelings in the region of the uterus, and the various other 
symptoms described as occurring in these cases in the preceding chap- 
ter; but it should be understood that they are often produced in 



Fig. 127. 




X.QO A A H. A > ^r-TATIO » 



young girlhood so gradually, that nature meekly conforms to the 
changed positon of the womb. When brought about by any pressure 
of the bowels downward, the womb usually takes the position repre- 
sented in the diagram marked I; or, when by contracting the cavity 
which it should occupy, the displacement represented by K. In far 
the greater number of apparently healthy cases I have examined, 
however, the diagram designated by the letter I, best represents 
the displacement. It seems almost impossible that such a position 
should not in all cases affect the proper action of the bladder ; but 



LOCAL INADAPTATION. 



493 



it does not perceptibly in many, for I have discovered it in women 
who suffer no inconvenience whatever from an inability to re- 
tain the water, nor yet from any sensation of dragging, bearing 
down, or weight in the region of the womb. Besides the early effects 
of bad habits in dress, falls, severe jarring of the body, and diseases in 
girlhood cause displacements of various kinds, which, not remedied, 
m adult age continue without the usual painful symptoms. Nature, 
having become accustomed to the changed position, performs all her 
functions faithfully excepting that important one — reproduction, and 
for the purpose of this, all that is necessary is to introduce the 

Fig. 128. 




LOCAL INADAPTATION. 

fecundating fluid of the male into the uterus, or bring it in direct 
contact with the mouth of the womb. 

I trust the reader will bear patiently with me while I enter into an 
extended explanation of the diagrams. Let us look them over care- 
fully together, for local inadaptation should be carefully studied by 
the childless. It is, as I have already said, not only the most com- 
mon cause of unfruitfulness, but also one which is the most easily 
remedied without the aid of a skillful physician experienced in the 
treatment of sterility. 



494 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

A, represents the womb in the right position, but the organ of the 
male is some seven or eight inches long, and, therefore, passes the 
mouth of the womb. Although the average length of the male organ 
is six inches, in many cases it is seven, and in some, as long as eight 
or nine inches, while in a few, and I might say extraordinary ones, 
its length is greater than I have mentioned. Practically, this in- 
adaptation amounts to the same as that represented in the next illus- 
tration. The mouth of the womb must be active, or the impregnating 
fluid of the male will pass out of the vaginal cavity without causing 
pregnancy. 

B, represents the womb as being located too low in the vaginal 
cavity, so that the glans-penis of an organ of average length is im- 
bedded in the loose bagging folds of the vagina above the mouth of 

womb, and there, away from the entrance of the uterus, the seed 
he male is deposited. As it falls outwardly, unless the mouth of 
womb is very active, it passes this orifice and finds its way out 
he vagina, not a drop being retained for fecundation. This posi- 
is not uncommon. 

, represents the reverse of A. Here the female organ is well 
ned, but the male organ is only three or four inches in length, and 
sequently barely passes the external and internal lips of the vagi- 
leaving a distance of two or three inches between the glans-penis 
the mouth of the womb. Now, here, we see quite a disparity, 
especially so when it is borne in mind that if the penis be even 
inch too short, and deficient in ejecting force, the impregnating 
1 may fail to reach the womb unless the mouth of the latter has 
acfcve absorbing power. The force with which the semen is ejected 
a the male, greatly varies in different persons, so that, if one hav- 
but little of this force and a short penis, is united to a female 
ing the womb in the right place, but deficient in suction power, 
'nancy will not be likely to take place, however fruitful the 
ale may be in the production of healthy ova, or the male in 
eting vital semen. 
D, gives a view of quite a dhTerent position of things. Here the 
male organ possesses the average length, but the uterus is located too 
far up in the vaginal cavity. The vaginal canal is really quite too 
long. The distance from the outer surface of the external lips of 
the vagina to the mouth of the womb should not exceed five or six 
inches. Here the distance may be supposed to embrace eight inches, 



LOCAL INADAPTATION. 495 

leaving a penis of six inches in length, two inches from the mouth of 
the womb; and one of three or four inches, as in 0, hardly half way 
up the vaginal cavity. If a woman of this procreative organization 
be the wife of one having a short penis, all must depend upon 
extreme susceptibility to impregnation on the part of the former, for 
the ejaculatory force of the seminal expenditure could hardly be suf- 
ficient to reach the mouth of the womb, if the male organ is of the 
usual length as represented in D. With two inches space between 
it and the uterus, deficiency of suction power on the part of the lat- 
ter and of ejaculatory force on the part of the former, intercourse 
would prdve fruitless. 

E, represents the womb in the true position ; but there is a down- 
ward curvature of the male organ, so that it not only does not reach 
the mouth ot the womb, but it pours the fecundating fluid upon the 
back wall of the vagina, from which position it may pass out without 
coming in contact with the mouth of the womb. I have known 
cases of married people who were liable to excessive childbearing, in 
which the husband successfully resorted to this position in the vagina 
at the moment of the seminal expenditure, for the purpose of pre- 
venting conception. The only reason it may not be considered a 
reliable prevention, is because of the great suction power of the ute- 
rus in many women ; but in those I refer to it was a success, and 
they only bore children when they desired to. 

F, represents another malformation of the penis. Here the organ 
has a side curvature, and points to one side of the walls of the vagina. 
The deposit of the seminal fluids in this place at each intercourse, i3 
sufficient in some cases to render the married pair childless. 

G-, represents the neck of the womb twisted so that it will not 
face the glans-penis in the sexual act. This malformation is not 
unfrequently met with. I have examined many cases in which it 
was long, slim, and contracted, pointing, in some, to the side; in 
others, upward or downward. In one case that I examined, the 
neck of the womb was two inches long, no larger than a goose-quill, 
and as pointed as a pencil. The suction power in such a womb is 
never more than moderate. 

H, exhibits the glans-penis with a similar deformity. This one is 
twisted sideways. In some cases the glans is bent downward, and 
in others, upward. I have never yet in ray practice met with a pair 
in which the wife had the malformation of G, and the husband that 



496 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

of H. if there are two such unfortunates, offspring cannot reasonably 
be looked for until my remarks on remedies are read, and the diffi- 
culty mechanically removed. When one has such a deformity, it is 
enough to cause the absence of offspring. We will now turn to Fig. 
128, and continue this investigation. 

I, presents the top of the womb fallen forward, causing the mouth 
to rest against the back walls of the vagina. So imbedded is the 
neck of the uterus in the membrane lining the vaginal cavity in some 
cases of this kind, no other than mechanical means can possibly 
rescue a female from barrenness. When it simply rests against the 
back wall, without pressure, the penis passes above it and pregnancy 
may not result. 

J, represents the opposite position, the mouth of the womb press- 
ing against the front wall, dividing the vagina from the bladder, in 
which case the penis passes under the mouth of the womb, and to the 
side of it. When the womb occupies this position, or the one shown 
in I, its mouth is as completely covered as if the finger were placed 
over it. To these two positions may be attributed the most common 
causes of barrenness presented under the head of local inadaptation, 
although the inadaptations represented in A and B, occur nearly 
as frequently. 

K, presents a position not very dissimilar to that given in J. The 
difference is, that the uterus has fallen downward as well as back- 
ward. There are also downward and forward displacements, as when 
the womb occupies the low position represented in K, with its top 
against the bladder, and its mouth against the rectum. In these dis- 
placements the penis presses against one side of the womb, and in 
most cases is not allowed to enter far into the vagina. When, how- 
ever, the male organ is short, this position of the womb occasions no 
inconvenience in coition. If the male organ is long, it does. 

L, represents the uterus in its right place, and the penis also ; but 
the glans-penis is covered with the foreskin, w r hich will not yield and 
press backward, but closely envelops the glans, and projects beyond 
it. This is technically called phimosis, and unless the orifice of the 
foreskin is on a direct line with the glans, the seminal fluids may be 
misdirected, and their ejaculatory force impeded. 

M, gives something of an idea of the position of the womb when 
it is doubled upon itself. In this diagram the engraver has not been 
entirely successful in presenting the doubled position of the neck, or 



X.OCAL ^ADAPTATION. 49»J 

the obliterated condition of the cavity. It is often much more 
doubled upon itself than the diagram represents. In a case of this 
kind, the male organ has no difficulty in coming in contact with the 
mouth of the uterus ; but the canal leading up through the neck to 
the cavity of the womb is nearly, or quite closed up by its cramped 
position. In this position the mouth usually has but little suction 
power, and sometimes none at all. When the suction power is suffi- 
cient, the compressed condition of the canal may obstruct the passage 
of the spermatozoa, and thus prevent the possibility of conception. 

N", presents an irregular, contracted vagina, preventing the entrance 
of an ordinary sized penis to a sufficient depth to meet the mouth of 
the womb. The womb itself is in a good position, and in its right 
place ; but it is practically blockaded. While many of these contrac- 
tions are congenital and incurable, some are produced by disease, and 
may be remedied. When congenital, the skillful knife of the surgeon 
may sometimes obviate the difficulty. 

O, represents a similar inadaptation arising, not from contraction 
of the vagina, but from the unusual size of the male organ. When 
the diameter of the penis much exceeds two inches, it is apt to prove 
a troublesome member. I was recently consulted in a case where 
the circumference was seven inches, and the length eight inches, and 
the vagina of the wife had not yet been able to admit it. If the mouth 
of the womb is very active, this inadaptation may not prevent preg- 
nancy ; but if it is sluggish, some means recommended in the remarks 
on remedies should be adopted. 

P, presents the womb in its proper position, and the glans-penis 
near its mouth, but the natural outlet of the urethra of the male has 
been closed by disease, considerably scarifying the glans, and the 
orifice through which the seminal fluids are discharged is over, or in 
more cases, underneath the glans-penis, and a little below it. In 
such a case the glans may be so pressed against the mouth of the 
womb as to absolutely obstruct the orifice when the seminal fluids 
are discharged in an upward or downward direction. In such a case, 
the suction power of the uterus might be vigorous, and the end of 
the penis so block the passage into the uterus that pregnancy would 
not take place. If the mouth of the womb be inactive in such a 
case, conception would be almost, if not absolutely impossible, 
excepting with the adoption of some means recommended for over- 
coming local inadaptation, given in another place. 



498 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

Considering how blindly people come together in marriage, it is 
not at all surprising that local inadaptation often takes place. In 
just what manner, consistent with the safety of our system of society, 
the liability to mistakes of this kind may be obviated is difficult even 
for the physiologist to suggest. Even when a person selects a com- 
panion with the strictest view to a union founded upon affection 
only, the choice may prove a partial failure. A man may enter a 
clothing store and select a garment which exactly suits his idea in 
quality and style, but when it is sent home, if he has not tried it, he 
may find that it pinches in the arms ; draws too tight in the back ; 
or is too long, or too short- waisted. A young woman may select at 
the shoe store a pair of gaiters which in her opinion will prove "just 
the thing," when, upon trying them on, they pinch the toes, or the 
instep, or in some other way fail to make the feet comfortable. So 
here is a question for physiologists and moralists to settle. How shall 
all liability to local inadaptation be avoided ? 

Let me strongly urge upon all who are childless to sufficiently 
acquaint themselves with their organs of reproduction, and the posi- 
tion which they occupy in the act of copulation, to determine if pos- 
sible for themselves, whether local inadaptation may not be the real 
cause of their barrenness. By carefully examining the names, loca- 
tions, and descriptions of the organs as presented in " Private Words 
for Women," and as will be presented in "Private Words for Men," 
it seems to me all may be able to do so without any direct aid from 
the physician. 

Diseased Condition of the Wife. 

Falling of the womb is a very frequent cause of barrenness. I have 
already explained in what I have said regarding local inadaptation, 
how this affection may prevent pregnancy ; and I have here only to 
remark that while displacements very often exist without any signs of 
disease, the world is full of sufferers from painful displacements of 
the womb. When the painful symptoms are present, pregnancy is 
less liable to occur than when these symptoms are absent, because 
their presence shows that the womb is not only out of its natural 
position, but that it is congested, inflamed, and debilitated, and all of 
its appendages with it. The whole muscular structure of the pro- 
creative apparatus is relaxed, and every organ involved ; intercourse 



DISEASED CONDITION OF THE WIFE. 499 

is more or less painful, the mouth of the womb is sluggish and often 
congested, and sometimes sensitive to pressure. Its orifice is nearly 
or quite closed up by inflammation ; or is opened and so nearly par- 
alyzed as to be unable to receive or retain the impregnating fluid. 
Impregnation may be effected in some cases by means which -I shall 
advise where simply local inadaptation exists ; but in a majority of 
them, the womb is too much diseased to perform its most important 
function successfully. Even if impregnation is effected, an early 
miscarriage may occur ; for, if the womb is inflamed and swollen, it 
will not expand to make room for the growing foetus ; if relaxed, it 
does not possess sufficient strength or contractile power at its mouth 
to retain, for the natural period of gestation, its precious fruit. 

In some cases, when the womb is really in its right position, and 
all the organs of generation are in a sound state, the cavity of the 
womb may be closed by inflammation. In others, the lining of the 
cavity may be so affected by inflammation that it will peel off, either 
in a body, or in strips or shreds, so that when conception does 
take place, if conception be possible, the infant foetus, with its pla- 
centa, is carried away sooner or later, by this shedding of the lining 
of the womb's cavity. In some cases of this kind which have come 
under my observation, conception would take place and pregnancy 
continue to the second, third, and in some instances, to the fourth 
month, and then all would be detached and pass off in a shapeless 
mass, or else in fragments. Ulceration in the lining of the cavity may 
exist, and poison or destroy the life of the spermatozoa, and thus 
prevent conception. 

It is sometimes found that a body of coagulated albumen blocks up 
the canal leading from the mouth of the uterus to the cavity, so that 
the spermatozoa can neither pass through it, nor between it and the 
walls of the canal. It should be understood that there are glands in 
the uterus which secrete albumen for the purpose of lubricating the 
parts and facilitating the passage of the child in confinement. These 
glands are usually active in sexual intercourse, and somewhat so in 
menstruation ; but when this albumen possesses unnatural proper- 
ties, especially glutinous, it may obstruct the passage as I have 
explained, and although the obstruction may be swept out by the 
menstrual blood each month, such may be the condition of the glands 
that another plug will almost instantly form, allowing no opportunity 
for the spermatozoa to ascend the canal. Chronic irritation or inflam- 



500 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

mation may cause a puffiness of the lining of the neck of the womb 
so as to effect the same result. Stricture of the neck of the womb 
may also prevent the spermatozoa from entering the cavity. Chronic 
irritation may not only exist in the lining of frhe neck, but also up 
through the cavity just sufficient to produce a high degree of sensi- 
tiveness, such as sometimes exists in the lining of the stomach. 
When this condition prevails, the presence of the seed of the male in 
the womb causes contractions either at the time it is received or not 
many days after, and it is thrown off just as food is thrown from 
the stomach by vomiting when this kind of irritation exists in the 
stomach. 

Ovarian affections are often the cause of barrenness. It must be 
remembered that the ovaries in health are the organs which produce 
the ova or eggs of the female. They are to the female what the tes- 
ticles are to the male. In them is produced the little germ which, 
united with the male germ, forms the foetus. Foetus is a name given 
to the child in the first stages of its utero life. 

The ovaries are subject to many affections which might be prop- 
erly stated as inflammatory, ulcerous, cancerous, tumorous, drop- 
sical, and paralytic. Fig. 129 represents an ovary affected with 




Fig. 129. DISEASED OVARY. 

cysts, or sac-like bladders, filled with fluid (serum), which form the 
common kind of "dropsical ovarian tumor." Such a tumor, if 
small, may give very little inconvenience, but when large enough 



DISEASED CONDITION OF THE WIFE. 



501 



to press injuriously on neighboring organs — the intestines, rectum, 
bladder, and womb — there may be serious impairment of general 
health, and urgent necessity for relief. This may sometimes be 
afforded by tapping, to draw off the fluid, a very simple operation ; 
but the radical operation for removing such a tumor is called ovari- 
otomy, and though it requires opening into the abdominal cavity, 
the mortality has been reduced from fifty to seventy, to five or ten 
per cent, by the improvements in modern surgery. 

Ovarian affections, unless of a paralytic character, are attended 
with more or less pain in either side of the abdomen in the regions 
where the ovaries are located. Often distention and tenderness are 
experienced in these regions when inflammation is present. In the 
paralyzed state of the ovaries there is an entire want of action, and 
seldom any feeling of pain, soreness, or other symptoms to indicate 
the existence of the trouble, excepting barrenness. Every organ of 
the body requires the nervous or Fig. 139. 

electrical stimulus to properly 
perform its function. The stom- 
ach will not digest food if the 
pneumogastric nerve conducting 
the nervous or electrical stimulus 
to that organ is severed; and 
when the nerves leading to the 
stomach are inactive, digestion 
becomes at least defective. Now 
the ovaries require the same 
stimulus, and unless they have 
it, either no eggs at all are pro- 
duced, or any which may be gen- 
erated are not sufficiently perfect 
to render impregnation possible, 
much resembles that of a female who has passed the age for child- 
bearing, as represented in Fig. 131. Partial paralysis of the ovaries 
may not at all interfere with the general health ; and a person hav- 
ing these organs so affected may appear to be in the full enjoyment of 
health, not only to their neighbors, but to themselves ; but child- 
bearing is impossible unless they are restored. 

Affections of the ovaries are in most cases attended with more or less 
disturbance of the menstrual function. When the ovaries are nearly 




THE OVARY IN TIEALTH. 



The thoroughly paralyzed ovary 




502 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

or quite paralyzed, the menses are too slight. When inflammatory, 
ulcerous, or tumorous affections are present, the menses are too pro- 
fuse ; and sometimes fleshy substances or fibres pass with the men- 
strual discharges. When the ovaries are dropsical, the menstrual 
Fig. 131. fluids are often found to 

be very watery, with a 
lightish appearance or 
yellowish color. Tumor- 
ous and dropsical ovaries 
in some cases, produce 
very great abnormal dis- 
thb ovary in old age. tention, so that the female 

is supposed to be pregnant by those not capable of judging. It is 
well in these affections that females so suffering are not liable to 
pregnancy, for they could hardly survive the period of gestation. 
Nor is it best that females should become pregnant until these difficul- 
ties are entirely eradicated, for pregnancy is possible when only a par- 
tial cure is effected. Both out of regard for thehealth of the offspring, 
and the greater safety of the mother, every vestige of tumor, or 
dropsy should be removed before conception is allowed to take place. 
Diseased secretions of the vagina and womb frequently occasion 
barrenness. The most common difficulty which may be mentioned 
under this head, is leucorrhcea. I have spoken in a preceding chapter 
of the prevalence of this disease. In health there is only just suf- 
ficient mucus secreted in the vagina to produce an agreeable moist- 
ure without any discharge whatever. It has been discovered thai 
the spermatozoa of the male will live for many days in the healthy 
secretions of the vagina, whereas their contact with the diseased 
secretions seems to prove almost immediate death to them. Some of 
these abnormal secretions simply lack a sufficiency of the natural 
properties belonging to them ; others possess purulent and acrimoni- 
ous properties, attended with more or less irritation or burning heat 
in the parts. It is not unfrequently found that unwholesome dis- 
charges proceed from ulcers in the vagina, or in the womb. What- 
ever may be the source or immediate cause of the discharges, it may 
be safely said that any departure from the natural properties of tho 
healthy vaginal secretions, may occasion barrenness. Some childless 
wife will observe that she has these discharges just before and just 
after the menses, the very times when she would be likely otherwise 



DISEASED CONDITION OF THE WIFE. 503 

to conceive. Some women can only conceive within two or three 
days before, or within ten or fourteen days after menstruation. Sup- 
pose in a case of this kind, leucorrhoea sets in just previous to the 
menses, and reappears at the cessation of the menses, and continues 
for about a couple of weeks ; if that leucorrhoea possesses acrimoni- 
ous properties, there is hardly a shadow of a chance for a person 
thus affected to become pregnant. It is true that some women ha- 
bitually affected with leucorrhoea raise large families. In these cases, 
either the secretions are not acrimonious or poisonous, or local adap- 
tation is so complete that the spermatozoa enter the mouth of the 
womb at the moment they are discharged from the male organ so as 
not to come in contact at all with the fluids of the vagina. 

The fallopian tubes, through which the ova descend to the cavity 
of the womb, are sometimes obstructed by inflammation, ulceration, 
gluey secretions, or strictures. Any one of these conditions of the 
ovarian tubes may exist without any perceptible effect upon the 
general health. 

In persons of a scrofulous diathesis, the blood may be so greatly 
diseased that the productions of the ovaries lack vitality. This want 
of vitality may be sufficient to prevent conception altogether; or it 
may be sufficient to allow impregnation to take place, but not suf- 
ficient to withstand and prevent the menstrual flow ; and, in some' 
cases, it may even allow pregnancy to go on for a few months, buf 
before the child can be fully developed, the foetus dies and a miscar- 
riage occurs. In those who are born there are all degrees of vital tena- 
city exhibited. Some perish in infancy, some in early childhood, some 
in youthhood, some in middle age, while a few live to ripe old age. 
Well, now, there are all degrees of x vital tenacity in those inhabiting 
the wombs of pregnant women, and the vital tenacity of each foetus 
depends upon the health of the parents, temperamental adaptation, 
and upon the circumstances under which conception has taken place. 

An excess of flesh may occasion barrenness. Fatty matter may 
not only so envelop the ovaries as to interfere more or less with 
their functions, but it may so separate the ovaries from the fimbria, 
or extremities of the fallopian tubes as to prevent the egg from de- 
scending to the cavity of the uterus. In some cases, excessive flesh 
may so widen or distend the body in the region of these organs as to 
render the fallopian tubes too short to reach the ovaries. Any one can 
easily picture to herself how the distention of the body between the 



504 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

hips may remove those little ovarian organs sufficiently far away from 
the extreme end of the fallopian tubes as to completely isolate them. 
When this state of things exists, the ova or eggs as they ripen, 
simply drop into the cavity of the abdomen, where they doubtless 
decay, and are removed by absorption, while the womb, vagina, and 
the whole procreative system appear to be in perfect health. 

Impotency on the part of the wife may cause barrenness. This 
disease may exist in the erectile muscle and tissue of the female, as 
well as in those of the male, in which case there is too much of a 
flabbiness and relaxation of the procreative system to either take up 
the spermatozoa of the male, or to retain for impregnation the ovum 
of the female. In such cases, frequently there are no other symp- 
toms except inability to enjoy the sexual act. 

Tumors in the vagina, the rectum, the bladder, the neck of the 
womb, or the fallopian tubes, may be so located as to prevent the male 
germ from effecting a meeting with the ovum of the female. The 
presence of these tumors may always be detected either by external 
or internal examination. 

Suppressed, irregular, painful, slight, or profuse, menstruation 
often seems to be the cause of barrenness, but all these menstrual 
derangements result from some affections already spoken of, and 
need not be recapitulated here. 

Diseased Condition of the Husband 

It seems seldom to be mistrusted that the husband is at fault in an 
unfruitful marriage. Besides the evidences revealed by the micro- 
scope, childless widowers have been known to marry the second or 
third time, and still died without ever having become fathers ; while 
one of their wives, and possibly each of them, has been the mother 
of children by a former or subsequent husband. I believe all medi- 
cal works use the word barrenness only in speaking of women who 
are incapable of reproduction, but this same term may be properly 
applied in reference to a husband who is unable to impart to the 
wife a healthy germ. The husband may be to all external appear- 
ances in a perfectly healthy condition. He may be capable of en- 
joying the sexual act to the fullest extent, and still be incapable of 
becoming a father. A wife is not unfrequently blamed by the 
husband and friends for not becoming a mother when she is not at 




DISEASED CONDITION OF THE HUSBAND. 505 

all at fault. All that she requires for becoming a parent is the intro- 
duction of a healthy spermatozoon into the vagina where it may 
come in contact with the mouth of the womb. 

The most common cause of barrenness on the part of the male is 
debility of his procreative organs, and especially of the testicular 
glands, causing the production of non-vital semen. In Fig. 132, A rep- 
resents a microscopical view of living 

and healthy spermatozoa ; while B a. b. 

represents a similar view of sickly 
and inanimate spermatozoa, such as /V®, 
are often found in the seminal fluids [^&]\fp%% 
of a barren man. Masturbation in 
boyhood, or excessive venery in boy- 
hood or manhood, may so weaken 

the testicular glands as to Cause this ^ Microscopic^ of healthy sper- 

difficulty in the male. Mumps set- * ^S^^^S** 

tling in the testicles may produce a found m the seminal fluids 

or a barren man. 
similar result, while severe sickness 

of any kind may in some cases so affect the testicular glands as to 
vitiate their natural secretions. Mercurial salivation may so affect 
the testicular glands as to render the spermatozoa sickly, so that if 
they are capable of impregnating the ova, a diseased embryo is pro- 
duced which will not tarry long in the uterus. When the system 
is affected with constitutional syphilis, the male germ may not be 
sufficiently healthy to produce a vigorous embryo. In some cases 
the syphilitic impurity will so far affect the spermatozoa as to render 
them incapable of impregnating the ova. It should be understood 
that the germ of the male as well as that of the female, may be 
affected by disease. The extent of that disease may widely vary in 
the spermatozoa of different men ; and it may greatly vary in any 
one person at different times. In other words, a man who is usually 
sickly, or locally aflfected with disease, may have days or hours of 
convalescence when the spermatozoa generated at this particular 
time may possess all the vigor necessary for a successful impregna- 
tion, and the production of a healthy child. On the other hand, 
a man in perfect health in all his parts may have occasional seasons 
of debility in the procreative system, at which times the spermatozoa 
produced would either be incapable of impregnating a female, or of 
producing a healthy foetus if impregnation did take place. 



506 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

Destitution of the spermatic fluids may render a man barren. 
Occasionally cases are met with in which the male is capable of coi- 
tion, and .even the enjoyment of the act, when no seminal fluids are 
emitted. In these cases, either the testicular glands, and the pros- 
tate and cowper's glands are literally dried up, or there is some- 
obstruction to prevent their secretions from reaching the mouth of 
the urethra. In some cases there will be an emission of fluids from 
the prostate and cowper's glands, and, to the non-professional eye, 
these fluids may have all the appearance of natural semen, when they 
do not possess a particle of the germinal fluid from the testicular 
glands. In these cases, the prostate and cowper's glands are active, 
while the testicular glands are inactive, or are prevented in some 
way from communicating with the seminal vessels. By referring 
to the chapter entitled " Private Words for Men," the complexity of 
the procreative machinery of the male will be observed ; and it will 
be seen how easily those small tubes called the vasa deferentia y 
which convey the secretions of the testicles by a circuitous route to 
the seminal vessels may be in some way obstructed. Their natural 
orifice is only sufficiently large to admit of a bristle, so that any affec- 
tion of these tubes might easily shut off the contributions from the 
testicular glands, which contributions possess all that is actually vital 
in the semen. 

A stricture of the urethra, as I have before remarked, may prevent 
the seminal fluids from passing it at the time of intercourse. In this 
case the semen passes back into the bladder, and escapes with the 
urine when that is voided. This may reasonably be expected, even 
in slight cases of stricture, in which the person has but little trouble 
in expelling the urine, because the act of voiding the water usually 
takes place when the penis is in repose, and not erected, and when 
elastic and flabby, the urine may pass quite easily, carrying with it 
the spermatic fluids which may have been emptied into the bladder, 
while the spermatic fluids could not pass in a state of erection 
because of the congested condition of the organ, and the consequent 
contraction of the canal of the urethra. Stricture cannot very well 
exist without the knowledge of the person so affected. If it does 
not so far obstruct the passage of the water in urinating, as to give 
some inconvenience, the stream flowing from it is divided as it leaves 
the orifice, or in some cases it may present a spiral motion as it 
flows out. As the symptoms attending stricture, as well as other 



EXCESSIVE AMATIYENESS. 50"? 

remarks upon this disease are presented in a previous chapter, it is 
unnecessary to dwell upon this difficulty here. 

Chronic gonorrhoea or gleet may render a man barren ; for if the 
spermatozoa are produced in perfect health in the testicles, their 
vitality will be affected or destroyed, as they pass through the 
urethra, by the acrimonious secretions of that canal. 

Like leucorrhcea in the female, gleet or gonorrhoea is destructive of 
the spermatozoa. BTo one affected with this disease need be uncon- 
scious of its presence. There is, either at intervals or constantly, a 
passing out of diseased mucus ; or if it does not run or drizzle away, 
it may be pressed out of the orifice of the urethra. 

Catarrh of the bladder or of the urethra, may destroy the vitality 
of the seminal fluids and thereby render the male barren. In fact, 
any unwholesome secretions of the urethra or bladder, or any ulcer- 
ous matter habitually descending the canal of the urethra, may be 
sufficient to kill the seminal animalcule so as to render the husband 
incapable of effecting conception. As in gonorrhoea or gleet, these 
difficulties arc attended with discharges from the urethra, so that no 
one can be unconscious of their existence. 

The reader has in the foregoing paragraphs, the most common 
causes of barrenness in the male. Those difficulties proceeding from 
malformations of the penis have already been referred to in the essay 
on local inadaptation. 

Excessive Amativeness. 

This, on the part of either husband or wife, may be the cause of 
barrenness. If on the part of the former, he may be so excessive in 
intercourse as to hardly allow the spermatozoa to become sufficiently 
developed for impregnation ; or he may be so violent in coition that 
at the very moment when the womb should be under the influence 
of its absorbing movements, it shrinks away and recoils from contact 
with the male organ. In the latter case, the wife may or may not 
enjoy the act of coition ; but if she does, the womb at the climax 
involuntarily shrinks from the violent contusion which it is receiving. 

When excessive excitability exists in the wife, the ova are some- 
times actually ruptured by the violent contractions of the fallopian 
tubes, or paralyzed by the excess of nervous force or electricity pres- 
ent. The womb mavalso. under snch excitability, be set into violent 
contortions and contractions sufficient not only to expel the ova out- 



508 



HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 



right, but to prevent the spermatozoa of the male from entering. 
In some cases of this kind there is no doubt but the ova are abso- 
lutely ejected from the womb with as much force as the spermatic 
fluids are ejected from the urethra, whereas the ova ought to be 
retained in the cavity of the uterus. However forcibly the ova 
may be taken from the ovarian glands and carried down through 

Figr. 183. 




TEMPERAMENTAL INADAPTATION. 



A- and B are supposed to represent one married pair, and C and D another married 
couple. The first two have light hair and eyes, and the second have black hair and 
eyes. 

the fallopian . tubes, they should not pass beyond the cavity of the 
womb, for conception never takes place in the vagina. In some 
cases where the procreative organs are excessively sluggish in their 
action, pregnancy has taken place in one of the fallopian tubes, much 
to the distress of the patient ; but no one who is at all informed in 
regard to the organs of the female, need be assured that an ovum 
precipitated into the vagina could not become impregnated. Exces- 



TEMPERAMENTAL INADAPTATION. 



509 



swe amative excitability is, therefore, more apt to cause barrenness 
than is sexual apathy. 

Temperamental In adaptation. 
In my classification of the causes of barrenness, temperamental 
inadaptation came last. If I were treating upon ill-success in raising 

Fig. 134. 




TEMPERAMENTAL INADAPTATION. 

E is the husband of F, and G husband of H. The first pair have hazel eyes and dark 
brown hair, and the second light hair arid eyes. 

a family of children, this cause would have been assigned the first 
place. What is temperamental inadaptation ? It is the marriage of 
a man and woman who are too much alike in their physical struc- 
tures and constituents. They may be as dissimilar as possible in 
their sentiments and tastes, but if they are not unlike in their con- 
stitutional formations and atomic ingredients, either entire barren- 
ness or inability to have healthy, enduring offspring, will certainly 
ensue. Let me here group together a few people as we are too apt to 



510 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

find them in married life. Just look for a moment at Figs. 133, 134. 
The adaptation is all wrong here, and must cause either entire bar- 
renness or weak and short-lived progeny. If all were put into a bag 
and well shaken together they would probably come out better as- 
sorted than they are now. A could have healthy children if united 
with D or with H. would be successful in this direction with B, 
and do pretty well with F. E would answer well with D, and still 
better with H. G would have healthy offspring if joined to B, and 
the stock would be still stronger if he were the husband of F. The 
physiological fact is, that a married couple should be physically as 
different from each other as possible in the formation of the face, 
head, and body ; and when those who are barren find on an exami- 
nation of themselves critically that they are very much alike physi- 
cally, it would be well for them to investigate the question as to their 
physical fitness for each other. As all rules have their exceptions, 
there is one and only one to the rule herein given, which should be 
mentioned in this connection. Some childless couple may say, " Cer- 
tainly, we are dissimilar enough." Let us see. The husband is a 
lean or spare man, with a large, broad, almost perpendicular forehead, 
and small back-brain, while the wife has a full form, with indications 
of a decidedly lymphatic temperament. Or perhaps it is the reverse, 
the husband being lymphatic and the cranial and bodily formation of 
the wife such as I first described. This pair really look dissimilar 
enough, to be sure ; but one is of what is called, according to Powell, 
the encephalic, and the other of the lymphatic temperament, both of 
these temperaments being what are called the non-vital. To this pair 
no offspring will be born, or if ushered into the world it can have 
only a brief existence. This is the exception. In all other particu* 
lars the more dissimilar a husband and wife are the better it is for 
offspring. 

In the most conspicuous cases of temperamental inadaptation con- 
ception cannot possibly take place ; in those less marked, impregna- 
tion is not impossible, but the foetus seldom survives the period it 
should remain in the womb ; in those wherein physical adaptation 
is a shade better, healthy children may be born, but only to fill 
infant graves. Turning from the more prominent cases of inadapta- 
tion, families of children are found possessing all degrees of health 
and vital tenacity, the more vigorous-looking not always being the 
toughest and most enduring. 



HOW TO PROMOTE CHILDBEARING. 51 1 

The subject of this essay is a most important one, and should 
command the attention of every individual whether married or con- 
templating m marriage. As the temperaments will be thoroughly 
treated of in Part IV-, I will not in this place enter into a physio- 
logical or nosological explanation of them. In this chapter it is 
simply my aim to awaken inquiry on the part of childless readers. 
May not your unfruitfulness arise from temperamental inadaptation? 
If you cannot decide the question by the general hints herein pre- 
sented, then turn to page 805, and make yourselves more familiar 
with the temperaments, and then, if you are still in doubt, present 
yourselves to the author in person or by letter. 

How to Promote Childbearing- 

In all cases of barrenness, the husband and wife should first make 
themselves sufficiently acquainted with their procreative organs and 
the various kinds of local inadaptation represented in the illustra- 
tions, figures 127, 128, to determine if local inadaptation may not 
be the probable cause. If examination and observation lead to this 
supposition, proceed at once to overcome the difficulty by such hints 
as I shall immediately present. First, let it be remembered that 
usually the most susceptible period for a woman to become pregnant 
is immediately after the cessation of the menstrual flow. This sus- 
ceptibility continues for about ten days, when, in women not easily 
impregnated, it completely subsides. During this period of suscep- 
tibility, intercourse may take place two or three times with such 
aids to conception as follows : — 

If the inadaptation be such as is represented by either A or B in 
figure 127, make a circular cushion as large as the hand, stuffing it 
with hair or cotton. Then make an orifice through its centre large 
enough for the male organ to pass through. The thickness of the 
cushion should be just sufficient to bring the end of the penis, in 
intercourse, in juxtaposition, or face to face with the mouth of the 
womb. Use this cushion whenever connection takes place for at 
least one year, unless the object is sooner attained, for a woman 
who does not readily conceive may not have more than one or two 
susceptible periods throughout the whole three hundred and sixty- 
five days. 

If the inadaptation be such as illustrated in and D, figure 127, 



512 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

in some cases a bandage fastened tightly around the body of the 
female, over the region of the abdomen, during connection, will 
press the womb downward sufficiently to bring the mouth of that 
organ in contact with that of the male. The posterior of the female 
body should also be elevated for obvious reasons. Observance of 
these directions failing after six or eight months' trial, the wife may, 
in addition thereto, draw in her breath as fully as possible and with 
it press downward at the moment the male fluids are being received. 
This alternative should only be resorted to after failure of the first, 
because this downward pressure of the breath in some women hav- 
ing a relaxed uterus, prevents the seminal fluids from entering the 
mouth of the womb, but there are cases in which this kind of effort 
favors conception. If all these plans prove fruitless after one year's 
trial resort to the impregnating syringe (see page 911). This in- 
strument should also be used in cases of malformation, such as those 
represented by E, F and H, while in such a difficulty as that illus- 
trated by G, the use of the impregnating syringe will prove the 
most available (see page 911). 

If the inadaptation be such as is illustrated by I, in figure 128, the 
bladder should not be voided for several hours before, nor until at 
least thirty minutes after connection. If connection be painful with 
the bladder thus distended, make a pad of hair or cotton as large 
and thick as the hand, and another one of the size and shape of half 
an orange. Attach the flat surface of the latter to one of the flat 
surfaces of the large cushion right in the centre. Then void the 
urine before intercourse, and place the conical surface of this cushion 
over the region of the bladder, or, in other words, a little above the 
bone at the top of the entrance to the vagina. Fasten it to thi9 
place by straps or strings passing round the body. This will produce 
a pressure against the bladder, and the bladder will press against the 
upper part of the womb and cause a slight elevation of the neck of 
the uterus now resting on the back wall of the vagina. To facilitate 
this object nearly or quite the whole weight of the male body 
should rest upon that of the female at the moment of the seminal 
discharge. If this plan Mis, in addition to the application of the 
pad over the region of the bladder, take the precaution before 
coition to place a piece of wet velvet sponge under the neck of the 
womb so as to elevate it a little, but press the sponge sufficiently 
back to prevent it getting out of place. It would also be necessary 



HOW TO PROMOTE CHILDBEARING. 513 

to make use of tlie cushion directed for A and B if the male organ 
passes beyond the mouth of the womb. 

If theinadaptation is such as is represented in either J or K con- 
ception would be more liable to take place when a desire is felt for 
a movement of the bowels, as the pressure of the faBces in the rectum 
tends to press the upper part of the womb into its proper position, 
and thereby brings the mouth of the womb away from the front 
wall of the vagina. If this rule be observed, the faeces should still 
further be retained for upward of forty minutes after connection, as 
immediate straining might expel the male germ from the feeble 
uterus; and it is proper to add, that violent straining at stool 
within twelve hours after might defeat conception. If the disten- 
tion of the rectum by the plan prescribed does not sufficiently 
liberate the mouth of the womb from the front walls of the vagina, 
insert a piece of wet velvet sponge between the neck of the womb 
and walls of the vagina, taking care to press the sponge far enough 
above the mouth of the womb to prevent it from falling out of 
place. If conception fails after observing the foregoing suggestions 
for four or five months, it would be advisable, in addition to adhering 
to the same rules, for the female to make a practice of reclining on 
her face more or less every night, and for twenty or thirty minutes 
before connection, and even during connection, if necessary, as this 
position still further aids in restoring the womb to its right place 
when the upper and heavier part rests against the back walls of the 
vagina. In this kind of displacement it may be necessary also to 
observe the directions given for A and B, if the male organ be long 
or the womb low down in the vaginal cavity. 

If inadaptation proceeds from phimosis, as shown in L, the male 
should be circumcised if the foreskin be very redundant ; or, if con- 
stricted only, the part can be expanded, and the phimosis cured, by 
using an instrument which I devised for that purpose (see advertise- 
ment on page 911). 

When the neck of the womb doubles upon itself as (rather im- 
perfectly) represented by M, medical treatment should be resorted to 
for the purpose of giving it its natural shape. The skillful physician 
can usually remedy the trouble, but if he fails, recourse may be had 
to the impregnating syringe recommended for G. 

N" presents a condition of the vagina that might render childbirth 
mnsafe, if conception were possible. Consequently, the opinion of a 



514 HINTS tO THE CHILDLESS. 

physician should he sought as to the expediency of adopting means 
that would favor conception. In most cases of this kind the use of 
the impregnating syringe recommended for G, causes pregnancy to 
take place; but might it not he hazardous to the wife to encounter 
the possible perils of parturition? If the congenital or acquired 
malformation of the vagina can be removed by the surgeon's knife, 
then conception might take place naturally ; but, again, if the surgi- 
cal operation should materially lessen the elasticity of the vagina, it 
might not be possible for the living child to pass the inelastic cavity. 
While some of these cases may be helped out of barrenness without 
unusual hazard, it would be well for persons who are unfruitful 
through this cause to obtain the opinion of some experienced medi- 
cal man. 

When inadaptations like those illustrated by and Pin figure 128 
exist, it is often necessary to resort to the use of the impregnating 
speculum. (See page 911). Sometimes, however, in cases like P 7 
barrenness may be overcome by arranging the cushion as directed 
for A and B, of just sufficient thickness to prevent the end of the 
male organ from pressing or even touching the mouth of the uterus. 
This precaution will at least prevent the mouth of the womb from 
becoming blockaded. When other means fail, an operation may 
usually be safely performed for the restoration of the mouth of the 
urethra to its natural place. 

When disease exists on the part of either of the married pair 
causing unfruitfulness, it is always best to consult a physician who 
has given attention to this branch of physiology and medicine # 
When possible, medical counsel should be sought by personal applica- 
tion; when impossible or inconvenient, correspondence will be 
necessary. In the latter case, answers to the questions on page 600 
will usually enable the author to determine as to which of the parties 
is barren, and the cause of the barrenness. In some obscure cases 
it is necessary to examine the seminal fluids under the microscope 
before a satisfactory diagnosis can be determined. This may be done 
by personal application of the husband, or by correspondence. The 
annexed cut (Fig. 135) represents the instrument with which the 
author conducts such investigations. It is a powerful one, and so 
magnifies objects that the spermatozoa of the male placed under its 
lens looks about as large as those animalcule in rain water from 
which the mosquitoes finally emerge. A particle of healthy human 



HOTV TO PROMOTE CHILDBEARING. 



515 



semen no larger than a pin's head presents nnder the lens of this 
microscope hundreds of wriggling, frolicking spermatozoa. By a 
simple process of drying a portion of Fig. 135. 

the spermatic fluids, and subsequently 
overcoming its opacity, a practised eye 
can distinguish with considerable accu- 
racy vital from n on- vital semen, which 
fact enables those at a distance to con- 
sult the author upon this point in all 
cases wherein barrenness is suspected 
to arise from incompetency on the part 
of the husband. 

Obstinate barrenness in males is 
sometimes difficult to cure, and in some 
instances baffles the skill of the physi- 
cian. Strange as it may appear, the 
artificial injection of healthy male 
semen into the vagina has been resorted 
to by resolute and determined, but 
virtuous wives, in their childless de- 
spair. Some physiologists claim that 
the spermatozoa of the male will retain 
their vigor and impregnating power if 
put in warm water and injected with a 
syringe ; but no successful experiment , 
is adduced to sustain the hypothesis. 
Still, there are means by which the 
artificial injection of healthy male 
spermatic fluids may be made so as to 
induce impregnation. In the majority of cases, however, an incom- 
petent husband may be fully restored to all his powers by medicines 
or electricity, or both. ISTo married pair should despair of having 
children, until skillful medication has been tried ; and proper elec- 
trical applications will often cure when the former fails. Too much 
care to protect the embryo cannot be taken by a lady who, after 
years of fruitless marriage, arising from disease, becomes enceinte. 
Such a person is much more liable to miscarry, and miscarriages are 
apt to render a predisposition to barrenness more confirmed. I have 
had ladies under my care, who, after having by patient perseverance 




THE MIOE08COPB. 



516 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

in my treatment, attained the condition so long sought for, failed to 
reach the full realization of their hopes by falls, frights, excessive 
fatigues, or some cause of like nature, and I have found it quite im- 
possible, in some cases, to restore the tone of the productive organs 
so that pregnancy would again take place. 

When excessive amativeness is the cause of unfruitfulness, some 
rules requiring self-denial and self-control must be observed, or off- 
spring cannot be obtained. If the fault exists in the husband, he 
must be less excessive in sexual indulgence so as to allow time for 
the spermatozoa to attain vital development. If he be violent in 
coition, then he should use the pads recommended for A and B, so 
that he may not quite touch the mouth of the womb. In some cases 
of this kind the ejaculatory forces are so great that the fluids will 
reach the uterus if the glans-penis does not come within two or 
three inches of it. If the wife be too impulsive, as described in a 
previous essay on "Excessive Amativeness," she should abstain 
from intercourse from a week to ten days before and during men- 
struation, to allow the ova to become fully developed ; at the 
cessation of the menses the husband should induce sufficient ex- 
citement in himself to yield the spermatic fluids as soon as the 
vagina is entered, so as not to arouse the amative excitement of the 
wife. As before remarked, her participation in the pleasure is not 
necessary for impregnation, and in a difficulty of this kind it defeats 
it. Then, for a week, at least, all excitability or indulgence on her 
part should be avoided so as to give time for the embryo to set. 
The wife may be materially aided in preserving self-control previous 
to, during, and for a reasonable time after, impregnation, by avoid- 
ing all stimulating food and drink, such as meats highly seasoned, 
eggs, fish, oysters, clams, celery, parsneps, water-cresses, pepper- 
grass, condiments, wines, liquors, cordials, strong coffee, chocolate, 
etc. The plainer the diet the better. Injections of warm water 
into the vagina daily will produce a cooling reaction and lessen ex- 
citability. "When pregnancy is found to exist, then moderation in 
sexual intercourse is necessary to prevent miscarriage. No married 
couple whose cases come under this classification, should become 
discouraged before giving the foregoing suggestions at least one 
year's trial. If they fail, medicines adapted to their cases will in 
most instances accomplish a triumph. 

When unfruitfulness ^s caused by temperamental inadaptation, or 



HOW TO PROMOTE CHILDBEARING. 517 

when children are born, and die in infancy, my advice as a physiol- 
ogist and humanitarian is go to a State where divorces are easily 
obtained and dissolve your unnatural connection and form new 
alliances. Depend upon it, God never joined you together, for his 
moral laws are not in conflict with his physical laws. This last 
proposition every reasonable mind will accept without argument. 
It is undoubtedly easier, however, to give such advice than to 
practise it, for many such unfortunate people are so pleasantly united 
in taste and social companionship that the thought of separation 
cannot be entertained for a moment. Then there are many more 
so situated in property and family matters, or so awed by village 
opinion, or swayed by some other consideration pertaining in some 
way to money, position, influence, or the opinions of Mrs. Grundy, 
that such a step seems to them impracticable. From all these 
sources will come up the inquiry, — u Is there no other help for 
us?" To which I must reply — hardly any thing that is legitimate. 
You may derive some advantage from suggestions given in what 
I have to say on "Physical Adaptation," beginning on page 805, but 
either temporary or permanent reassortment is, in most cases, the 
only expedient that can be successfully resorted to, excepting arti- 
ficial impregnation, and then the male germs must be obtained out- 
side the family. Many, in their determination to have at least one 
child, have adopted the first, and a few the last of these alternatives. 
Some have severed altogether old ties and formed new ones. Those 
who have a baby every year or two will think these facts strange : 
but, according to Paul Gide, lt the desire for offspring has been, in 
all antiquity, the prime motive of marriage — the first sentiment that 
impressed upon the union of the two sexes a moral character and a 
regular form of marriage." In ancient times fidelity to a barren 
wife was considered a crime against the gods, and still later, in 
civilized Europe the husband of a barren women was compelled to 
renounce her. Man on says — " In India, if the wife is sterile, the 
husband forsakes her and takes another ; if the husband be sterile 
he cedes temporarily to his brother or one of his male relatives his 
rights to his wife. This being done to render the marriage fruitful, it 
is believed to be stripped of all impurity and regarded as a religious 
duty." In ancient Athens a man could repudiate a wife who could 
bear him no children, and take another ; or, if he preferred, he could 
take a concubine and legitimatize her children. In the early history 



518 HINTS TO THE CHILDLESS. 

of man, as given in the Old Testament, instances are found wherein 
the fruitless wife gave to her husband a favorite servant for the pur- 
pose of offspring. Human nature has not greatly changed by time 
or the advance of civilization, and though social regulations forbid 
recourse to some of the means mentioned for becoming a parent, 
such expedients nevertheless are privately adopted by those who 
have become maddened by disappointment after years of fruitless 
marriage. 

Before concluding this essay, I have a word to say to the jealous 
husband who is, or may become, the father of an only child after 
years of unproductive married life, followed, after the birth of one 
child, with years no less sterile. In some cases, the causes producing 
barrenness are temporarily removed, even when husband and wife 
have been pursuing no medical treatment for that purpose. A 
barren wife may, under an unusual, and only temporarily improved 
condition of the procreative organs, develop a perfect egg^ which 
may be impregnated and become a healthy foetus ; or a barren hus- 
band under a temporarily improved condition of his genital organs, 
may give to the wife a healthy spermatozoon with like result, but sub- 
sequent sterility ought not to lead the husband to suspect the fidelity 
of his wife, because the reproductive organs of either sex are liable 
to sudden and temporary convalescence when abnormal, as any other 
organ in the body. Oases have occurred of persons who have been 
nearly all their lives blind, but who have suddenly received the gift 
of sight for a moment, for a day, for a week, for a month, but as 
suddenly relapsed into the same darkness which had so long envel- 
oped them. Confirmed dyspeptics will occasionally, or for once, be 
able to eat a hearty meal without suffering the usual distress, in con- 
sequence of a sudden temporary improvement of the organs of 
digestion. So all the organs of the body are liable to fluctuations. 
If usually in health they have an hour or a day of disease. If 
usually diseased, they may have an hour or a day of freedom from 
that disease. The procreative organs are not exempt from this 
liability. 

The foregoing hints are suggested to my mind by some cases of 
matrimonial unhappiness which have come under my observation. I 
will relate one in this connection. A lady once called on me who had 
been married twelve or fifteen years, and had had but one child, and 
that after nine fruitless years. Her previous and subsequent periods 



HOW TO PROMOTE CHILDBEARING. 519 

of sterility aroused the green-eyed monster in her husband and she 
assured me that her home had been a pefect pandemonium ; first, 
because she did not have a child, and next, because having one, she, 
did not have more, from which latter fact he imagined he was not its 
natural father. I would advise all husbands who are afraid to father 
children which in their jealousy they think do not belong to them, to 
read my Philosophy of Child-marking (see page 887), which, I think, 
will have the effect to make husbands more attentive to their wives, 
in order that they may so win the love of those who are to become 
the mothers of their offspring, that a child will be marked by them in 
embryo life. Jealousy and abuse of the wife will do more to insure 
the birth of children by her resembling other people than could pos- 
sibly result from actual impregnation by the spermatozoa of others if 
confidence and kindness be generally manifested by the husband. 
Treat a wife badly, if the spermatozoon which impregnates her may 
have been been produced in you, the chances are, the child will resem- 
ble some one her mind more agreeably dwells upon. Treat her kindly, 
and though she may, under a momentary impulse, be impregnated by 
another, the chances are ten to one the child will resemble you, 
and, in fact, be your own as much as if the little germ, insignificant 
in itself, had originated in your own organs of reproduction (see 
page 894). But, aside from these suggestions, do not suspect un- 
chastity in your wife merely because, after years of barrenness, she 
accidentally conceives, and then, after the birth of one child, relnpses 
into the former sterile condition ; such a circumstance is not uncom- 
mon when the mother of the first and last baby never for a moment 
relinquished the chastity and fidelity which Ca3sar demanded that a 
wife should possess. 

[Though the pamphlet entitled "Borning Better Babies," by 
Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr., was written mainly to interest those who com- 
plain of being too fertile, and who seek after wdiat have been called 
means for ''artificial sterility," it contains a chapter on sterility of 
the involuntary kind, which may be of nse to those who are espec- 
ially interested in this subject.] 




CHAPTER X. 

PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. 



' S a rule, men know more of women than they do 
of themselves, and I will venture the prediction 
that a majority of them will read the chapter 
" Private Words for Women" before reading this 
one which is especially intended for them. Still, 
it may be said that they are generally better informed on the 
structure of the male organization, than the women are on 
the anatomy and physiology of the female body. The igno- 
rance of men, however, in regard to themselves, is highly 
discreditable when their advantages for information are taken 
into account. The writer once directed a patient of good general 
intelligence, filling a government appointment, to make an injection 
into the rectum for pin- worms, and after a few weeks received word 
from him that he could not use half the quantity of liquid advised. 
Upon further inquiry, I found he had mistaken the urethra for the 
rectum ! Persons have told me that they were affected with sore- 
ness and swelling of the bladder, when, on examination, I found 
they were talking about the scrotum ! Some men actually suppose 
that the water and the seminal fluids come from the same reservoir, 
and that that reservoir is the scrotum ! A majority of men imagine 
that the testicles are connected by short direct ducts with the 
urethra and that the seminal fluids are injected directly upward 
into and out of it. A perusal of this chapter will show what a cir- 
cuitous route the semen pursues to reach the seminal vessels in 
which it is held in reserve until emptied by amative excitement. I 
irust every male reader will carefully look over and digest all I have 
to present in this chapter, for by so doing he will better compre- 
hend the complexity of his sexual organs and probably be induced to 
take better care of them. 



THE PENIS AND ITS DISEASES. 



521 



The Penis and its Diseases. 

The penis, two views of which are presented in the annexed cut, 
is mainly composed of two oblong cylinders, placed side by side, 

Fig. 136. 




VERTICAL SECTION OF THE MALE ORGANS. 

The small cut marked B gives a view of the organ as it would appear 
if chopped off with a knife or axe. 

having within a cellular structure, capable of being greatly distend- 
ed when filled with blood. These two cylinders, which are repre- 
sented in the small cut B, marked 1, 1, run parallel, leaving a groove 
above and underneath. The upper groove is occupied by a large 
vein marked 2, and the under one by a third tube called the urethra 
marked 3. The urethra is composed of an exceedingly spongy 



522 PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. ' 

substance which expands at the apex as represented in the large 
cut, forming what is called the glans-penis. Through the canal of 
the urethra the urine is emptied from the bladder, and in sexual in- 
tercourse the semen is injected into this canal from the seminal ves- 
sels which are exhibited as lying back against the bladder in the 
large figure. The main branch of the pubic artery enters the penis, 
the blood from which inflates it during erection. The whole organ 
is enveloped by a loose skin which is attached at the neck formed by 
the junction of the glans or head with the external termini of the 
two cellular cylinders, at which point it doubles upon itself and 
•forms what is called the prepuce or foreskin, which in infancy com- 
pletely envelops the glans, and in adult age may be drawn over or 
pressed back of the glans. In repose the penis is shrunken and flac- 
cid, measuring not more than one-third its length and diameter when 
in the state of erection. When, by amative excitement or titillation, 
the blood is diverted to the organ, it congests all the cellular and 
erectile tissue to their utmost limit of expansion ; then its average 
length is five or six inches, and the average diameter an inch or an 
inch and a half. There are all sorts of deviations from this measure- 
ment. I have been consulted by those whose organ distended 
would not measure more than one inch, and others where it meas- 
ured over eight inches. Either of these extremes may be regarded 
as a deformity, and so indeed may be one of four or seven inches. 
As I am frequently asked the question by letter and otherwise, if 
this organ when diminutive can be enlarged, let me reply: not a 
very great deal unless it be shrunken by disease or abuse. When 
weakened by any cause, its restoration to a condition of health pro- 
duces a corresponding increase in its vigor and size, observable 
mainly in cases of spermatorrhoea, where treatment provided to im- 
prove nerve-tone and blood circulation naturally results in im- 
proved nutrition and growth. 

The penis is subject to various diseases and some deformities. 
The most common of the former are those maladies contracted from 
impure coition. The glans-penis is often scalded by acrimonious leu- 
corrhoeal and gonorrhoeal secretions with which it comes in contact 
in the female vagina. When the secretions possess unusually poi- 
sonous properties, or when they are syphilitic in their character, the 
glans-penis coming in contact therewith becomes the seat of pus- 
tules and sores called chancre, or, in vulgar parlance, " the pox ;" and 



THE PENIS AND ITS DISEASES. 



523 



Fig. 137. 




CHANCRE. 

A, Hunterian Chancre. 
B, Phagadenie Chancre. 



these local affections, unless skillfully managed, diffuse syphilitic poi- 
son throughout the entire system, and render it liable to all sorts of 
ulcerous and I may say rotting distempers. There are two kinds of 
chancre, which are represented in the annexed figure, marked A, B. 
In from one to four weeks after coition with a 
syphilitic female, an itching and a slight burn- 
ing sensation are experienced at the spot where 
the infection has taken place ; next a small red 
spot makes its appearance, upon which a clear 
vesicle of the size of the head of a pin soon pre- 
sents itself, the contents of which speedily be- 
come purulent. Usually a discharge from this 
sore follows of matter variable in quantity and 
appearance, and, in the advanced stages, greenish 
or grayish and tinged with red. When the base 
of the ulcer is quite round and hard it may be 
regarded as Hunterian chancre, such as is rep- 
resented by A. The upper one gives a view of 
the side, and the one below it a view of the 
face of the chancre of this description. When the ulcer has an 
irregular boundary, with indentations rather than elevations, and a 
thin coating of grayish matter, accompanied with fetid and bloody 
discharges from the numerous small vessels it so rapidly destroys, 
it may be regarded as a phagadenie chancre, such as is represented 
by B, in which a view is given of the margin as well as the face of 
the ulcer. The margin of a venereal sore of this description is 
usually ragged, thin, uneven, and brown or violet colored. The 
Hunterian chancre is more liable to produce constitutional syphilis, 
and the phagadenie more apt to destroy the penis and surrounding 
parts, for it eats away the flesh more rapidly than cancer. It would 
be useless to attempt to lay down here any rules for the treatment 
of these dangerous local disorders, for even the attending physician, 
with all his experience in the management of them, to be success- 
ful is obliged to tack about in all sorts of ways to meet the ever- 
changing phases of the disease, and thereby counteract its destructive 
effects. Not a moment should be lost by a person who has con- 
tracted this disease, in obtaining the advice and medical treatment 
of a physician in whom he can place the most implicit confidence, 
for of all the ways to leave this world none are so terrible as to rot 



524 PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. 

with the virus from a Hunterian chancre or to be eaten up alive 
with a phagadenic ulcer. 

When men are not cleanly in their habits, the glans-penis may 
become excoriated by its own secretions. There are located about 
the neck of this organ, little glands and follicles which secrete an 
unctuous fluid for preserving the moisture of the glans and foreskin 
which falls over it. This oily lubricator is as pure as that which id 
supplied to the eyelids, if the parts are kept clean, but when neg- 
lected a chemical change occurs which imparts to it a disagreeable 
odor, a caseous consistence and color, and sometimes an acrimony 
which produces inflammation and ulceration. These glands and folli- 
cles are less active and their secretions less oily before the age of 
pubescence, but after this period the genital organs should be washed 
with soap and water every day, and the foreskin pressed back to 
receive the full benefit of the ablution. If proper habits of cleanli- 
ness were observed by those of both sexes, there would exist less 
prudery respecting the organs of generation, which in health, with 
the same care that is usually given to the organs of the face, would be 
equally sweet and wholesome. No one has the moral right to min- 
gle in social life and come in social contact with his or her friends 
whose body from neck to feet is not as clean in every respect as the 
face. No amount of " Night-blooming Oereus" or u French Co- 
logne " about the person will compensate for personal uncleanliness. 

Affections of the urethra might appropriately find place here, but 
as they have already been treated in the chapter on diseases of 
the urinary organs, it would be mere repetition to more than allude 
to them in this connection. I may remark, however, that chancre 
of the urethra is a more common difficulty than many of the profes- 
sion imagine, because physicians are not apt to discriminate between 
ordinary and syphilitic gonorrhoea. It should be remarked that the 
virus of primary syphilis sometimes fails to produce chancre on the 
glans, while it does take effect in the urethra ; and the inexperi- 
enced doctor pronounces it gonorrhoea of the ordinary type, and 
treats it as such, but, of course, without success. I have often been 
called upon to prescribe for cases of this description which had 
been badly managed by physicians having little practice in this class 
of disorders, and who did not for a moment mistrust the true char- 
acter of the venereal poison. I am not alone in believing chancre 
of the urethra to be a common disorder. Professor Stgmund of Vi- 



THE PENIS AND ITS DISEASES. 52 g 

enna stated In a lecture upon the subject, in 1853, that of four hun- 
dred and eighty- three cases of chancre coming under his observa- 
tion, in forty-seven of them the disease was located in the urethra. 
The prepuce or foreskin of the penis is often greatly inflamed 
when the glans penis or urethra is affected with venereal disorder. 
It may also become irritated or inflamed by other causes, such as 
Fcalding of the urine, uncleanliness, canker, etc. In nearly all of 
these cases a weak solution of sugar of lead frequently applied every 
day to the irritated or inflamed part will remove the difficulty. Con- 
sidering the unhealthy condition of the human family, its habits of 
uncleanliness, and the prevalence of uterine diseases among women, 
it is well, so soon as the age of puberty is reached, to teach the fore- 
skin to remain back so as to expose the glans. Pressing it back 
every day for a little while will accomplish the object, and the 
exposure of the glans will toughen this sensitive part so as to 
render it less liable to contagion and irritation. As an extra pre- 
caution, well worth the trouble, the foreskin should be drawn over 
the glans when visiting a strange "privy" or water-closet, or when 
sleeping away from home. Then, in coition, if the Membranous 
Envelope were always employed where there are any uterine affec- 
tions on the part of the wife, diseases of the glans, urethra, and fore- 
skin would rarely occur. However acrimonious or poisonous the 
secretions of the vagina may be the Envelope is an infallible safe- 
guard. 

TThen, after the age of pubescence, the foreskin cannot be 
pressed back of the glans, the difficulty is called Phimosis. In 
many cases of this kind the foreskin is very long and its orifice 
contracted or inelastic. Both for the purpose of preserving the 
health and cleanliness of the glans, and for convenience in coition, 
this should be removed by a new and valuable discovery— a painless 
process — devised by the author. See advertisement on Phimosis on 
page 911. By this plan no cutting is done. Most of my readers are 
doubtless aware that the ordinance of circumcision practised by the 
Jews consists in the entire removal of the foreskin by excision, and 
observation proves that those people are less liable than others to 
venereal affections. When habitually covered by the foreskin, the 
membrane covering the glans is remarkably delicate and sensitive, 
but when exposed by the removal of the foreskin, whether moved 
back, or cut away as in circumcision, it becomes gradually toughened 



526 PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. 

and consequently made less susceptible to the attacks of any venereal 
poison which may accidentally or otherwise come in contact with it. 
Thus exposed it is also less liable to irritations proceeding from 
chemical changes in the secretions of the glands and follicles. Be- 
fore concluding my remarks regarding the penis, I should say that 
this organ is as it were an open door for the entrance of many of the 
diseases which affect the human race. It is so abundantly provided 
with absorbent vessels and so frequently brought in contact with un- 
wholesome secretions, the system is often poisoned when no local 
disorder manifests itself. If it were made of ordinary sponge it 
could hardly be a better conductor of impure fluids directly to 
the circulatory system ; and, if this fact were fully understood by 
the mal« portion of the human family, dens of harlotry would soon 
be closed up for want of patronage, and a man would as quickly 
bend to quench his thirst at a public sewer, as to visit the abode of 
the courtesan for the gratification of his amative appetite. 

The Scrotum and its Diseases. 

By turning back a few pages, and looking at Fig. 136, the location 
of this pendulous pouch which encases the testicles will be observed. 
As remarked before, some quite intelligent men- think this is the 
bladder. All such persons should study the figure referred to at- 
tentively, and they will see that the location and offices of the scro- 
tum and bladder are widely different and distinct. The scrotum 
consists of a wrinkled or corrugated pouch, the skin of which has 
the same structure as that of the other parts of the body, excepting 
that it is thinner, more delicate, and perhaps more sensitive. A 
small raised line begins at the root of the penis and extends back on 
the scrotum so as to divide it into two parts. This pouch is pro- 
vided with numerous follicles, which bathe the parts with a seba- 
ceous fluid which preserves their moisture and softness. Here is 
another reason why daily ablutions of the parts should be resorted 
to by every man to keep these secretions wholesome and free from 
rancidity and acrimony. The scrotum itself is only liable to such 
irritations, dropsical affections, etc., as may affect any part of the 
skin or cellular tissue, and I shall consequently forbear dwelling 
upon its diseases. 



THE TESTICLES AOT> THEIB DISEASES. 527 

The Testicles and their Diseases. 

Under this head I shall briefly refer to not only the structure and 
diseases of these glands, but to those of the spermatic cords, semi- 
nal conductors, vessels, etc. Very few men who carry about these 
important organs, know much about them. It is difficult to fully 
explain their structure without employing technical names which 
would not be understood by the non-professional reader. I will 
nevertheless try to avoid these, and give as correct an idea as I can 
without making it necessary for the reader to refer to the medical 
dictionary. 

The testicles are formed in the male babe in womb-life, immedi- 
ately below the kidneys. This provision of nature is undoubtedly 
for the purpose of insuring their proper development, for if thus 
early lodged in the scrotum, they would be liable to contusions by 
the blind, unintelligent movements of the foetus, and to a deficient 
supply of blood if the spermatic arteries were thus early elongated. 
While nestling beneath the kidneys a cord proceeds from the lower 
part of each testicle, down through a canal, on each side of the ab- 
domen, in the groin, to the scrotiwn or pouch which is to be their 
future residence. The lower ends of these cords are attached to the 
scrotum. Between the fifth and eighth month they gradually con- 
tract, and with their contraction the testicle on each side slowly de- 
scends. As the testicles descend, the peritoneum in the lower part 
of the abdomen, to which the cords described adhere, moves down 
on either side immediately in advance of the testicle, forming a 
pouch which becomes one of its permanent coatings. After its de- 
scent into the scrotum this portion of the peritoneum closes at the 
upper ring by adhesion, and this adhesion advances down the track 
of the spermatic cord, so that the testicles cannot again return to 
the cavity of the abdomen. The line of this descent is well marked 
by the spermatic cord, which is designated by 8 in Fig. 139. The 
journey of the testicles from their original location near the kidneys 
down to the pouch which becomes their future residence, is usually 
completed by the eighth month ; but instances do occur wherein one 
or both never entirely leave the abdominal cavity, and others wherein 
they tarry in the groin. The detention of one or both within 
the abdomen, or in the inguinal canal in front of the groin, does 
not materially interfere with their functions, and hence there are 



528 



PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. 



Fig. 138. 



men who are the progenitors of healthy children, who, to all exter- 
nal appearances, are without testicles. The same fact exists in the 
case of men in whom only one of the glands has descended. Unless 
therefore the testicles have made their appearance in the scrotum 
and been removed by disease or the surgeon's knife, no oue having 
this defect need be apprehensive of inability to perform all the du- 
ties of a husband, nor think himself incapa- 
ble of becoming a father. The testicles do 
not obtain their full size till about what is 
usually called middle age, at which time 
their average dimensions are about an inch 
and a half in length, and an inch wide and 
three-quarters of an inch thick. The right 
testicle is usually a little larger and is held a 
little higher in the scrotum than the left one. 
The annexed cut, Fig. 138, represents the in- 
ternal structure of one of these glands, and 
the ducts, etc., leading from it. Those lobes, 
presented one above another, are composed 
of convoluted tubes and they connect with 
ducts which terminate in two canals which 
conduct the secretions of the testicles to the 
seminal vessels, as will be explained by and 
by. These seminiferous ducts in the testicle 
are only about one two-hundreth part of an 
inch in diameter, and when unraveled and 
drawn out are nearly a mile long ! 
Let us look for a minute at the wonderful complexity of the pro- 
creative machinery of man. Along the track of the descent of the 
testicle on each side of the body, there passes down what is called 
a spermatic cord, which consists of an artery and veins and lymphat- 
ic vessels and nerves. (See 8 in Fig. 139.) The artery is about the size 
of a crow's quill. This conveys to the testicle the blood from which 
the gland with all its peculiar mechanism secretes and generates the 
vital elements of the semen. As before remarked, many imagine 
that in coition, at the climax of excitement, the testicles inject the 
semen directly up into and through the urethra. This is not so at 
all. As the testicular glands make their secretions, they pass them 
up through a canal called the vas deferens on each side. These 




THE INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF 
THE TESTICLE. 



THE TESTICLES AND THEIR DISEASES. 



523 



Fta. 130. 



canals nave an outer coating like cartilage, but their linings are com- 
posed of mucous membrane and their orifices are only large enough 
to admit a bristle. They ascend with the spermatic cord till they 
enter the cavity of the abdomen, when they curve over each side of 
the bladder and bend down and connect with the seminal vessels. 
(Pause a few moments and 
look over Fig. 139 with its ex- 
planations.) Instead therefore 
of the testicles participating 
at all in the sexual act, they 
are comparatively at rest, and 
at the climax of amative 
excitement, their secretions 
which have been accumulated 
in the spermatic vessels, are 
propelled outward by what 
are called ejaculatory ducts, 
and passing the prostate and 
Cowper's glands are mixed 
with the secretions of these, 
which contributions add con- 
siderably to the volume of the 
semen. Propelled by the ejacu- 
latory ducts and the simultane- 
ous spasmodic contractions of 
the urethra, the seminal fluids 
are emitted with much force in 
distinct jets from the mouth of 
the urethra. Considering the 
complexity of the male organs 
of generation and the abuses 
to which they are thoughtless- 
ly subjected, it is not surpri- 
sing that they are often af- 
fected by disease. 

Venereal excesses on the part 
of the male, are much more 
disastrous than those on the 




MALE ORGAN8. 

1. One of the testicles. 

2. Stands above one of the tubes called the 
vas deferens (the white line), where it leaves the 
spermatic cord, and conveys the semen to the 
seminal vessels marked 3. This tube runs with 
the spermatic cord till it reaches the point just 
below 2, when it strikes off by itself and dips 
down to the spermatic vessels marked 3 . 

4. The penis with the urethra passing through 
it; 5, one of the kidneys ; 6, one of the r.reters 
which conveys the urine from the kidneys to 
the bladder ; T, the bladder ; S, the spermatic 
cord ; 9, the aorta from which the testicle derives 



its supply of blood ; 10, the rectum. 

part of the female. The reason for this is that the spermatic secre- 
tions are composed of the moet vital properties which the blood is 



530 PKIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. 

capable of imparting. A drop of semen, such as may be taken up 
on the point of a pin and placed under the microscope, presents hun- 
dreds of those little animalcules called spermatozoa, and from this 
fact it may be reasonably inferred that the vital resources must be 
severely taxed when the spermatic fluids are prodigally wasted. 
The injurious effects of an excessive waste of them are well known 
to every physician who has given a reasonable share of attention to 
this branch of physiology. In the sexual orgasm the female simply 
gives off a glandular secretion, possessed of no more vital properties, 
if as many, as the salival fluids. It is true that in most cases she 
also contributes a germ called the ovum ; but this passes away at its 
period of ripeness whether sexual intercourse takes place or not. 
The ovaries are constantly generating ova or eggs and as rapidly as 
they reach perfection they pass off, so that the loss of these is 
of no consequence whatever to the health of the female organs. 
Excesses are however injurious to the female mainly because the nerv- 
ous system is injuriously affected by too much venereal excitement. 
In some cases these excesses lead to undue activity of the organ of 
amativeness, so that even in her dreams she is excited by amative de- 
lirium. Sexual excesses and self-abuse on the part of the male leads 
to what is commonly called seminal weakness or the disease techni- 
cally called Spermatorrhoea. This trouble is so prevalent and disas- 
trous to health and longevity, I shall leave it here with simply this 
allusion and resume its consideration in an essay by itself. 

The testicular glands are liable to inflammation, congestion, swelling, 
dropsy, and abscess. I once had a case of abscess of the testicles which 
had caused an adhesion of the glands to the scrotum, with open- 
ings through which the ulcerous matter was poured out. He became 
the father of one child previous to this affection, but at the time I 
made the examination he had not for a long time passed a particle of 
semen in coition, and his testicles were nearly wasted away. It was 
a remarkable fact, however, that his passions according to his own 
statement were even stronger and his pleasure in intercourse greater 
than they were prior to the partial destruction of the glands. It is 
supposed by many that the loss of the testicles by disease or castra- 
tion destroys the erectile power. This has never, I believe, been the 
case in any known instance. Frequently it only destroys the pro- 
creative power, leaving amative desire and power of erection intact. 
In some it paralyzes desire, while local titillation will cause erection. 



THE TESTICLES AND THEIR DISEASES. 531 

Varicocele is a common affection amocg men. This difficulty consists 
of a distention of the veins of the scrotum and spermatic cord, 
feeling when manipulated like a bunch of earth-worms. The disten- 
tion usually increases from below upward, and is less prominent in 
a recumbent than in an upright position. This difficulty is some- 
times mistaken for hernia and vice versa. Physicians have sometimes 
sent their patients to me to be fitted to a truss, when on examination I 
would find varicocele rather than hernia to be the real affection. 
Varicocele is not easily cured except by tying the enlarged vein, 
and this is rather hazardous. The most successful operation and one 
which answers a very good purpose is to remove a portion of the 
scrotum so as to render the latter a natural bandage, as proposed 
originally by Sir Astley Cooper. The least painful mode of obtain- 
ing relief is to wear a scrotal supporter. (See page 911.) 

In all affections of the testicles and spermatic cord, a physician 
should be consulted, and for this reason I shall not enter into a mi- 
nute description of the various diseases of these organs. Physicians 
who have not had extensive experience in their treatment sometimes 
make mistakes in deciding upon the exact nature of a case, and 
therefore it would be useless for me to attempt to make the non-pro- 
fessional mind sufficiently familiar with the variety of diseases to 
which these organs are subject, to enable the reader to diagnose cor- 
rectly for himself. Uncomplicated sarcocele may be distinguished 
from hydrocele by the fact that the former enlargement does not 
change materially the oval form or hardness of the gland, while the 
distention peculiar to the latter imparts a degree of softness and 
greater enlargement of the lower than the upper portion of the or- 
gan. Sarcocele does not usually obliterate all trace of the spermatic 
cord, while hydrocele fills the scrotum to the ring through which the 
cord descends so that the cord cannot be felt. "When the testicle is 
held between a light and the eye of the examiner, if sarcocele be 
present nothing but the dark enlarged body of the testicle can bo 
seen; if hydrocele affects the sack of the gland, that portion dis- 
tended by the water is transparent, for hydrocele, as its name indi- 
cates, is nothing more or less than a dropsy of the membranous sack 
which envelops the testicle. It often happens, however, that these 
two affections, sarcocele and hydrocele, exist together, or are com- 
plicated with other enlargements of the glands growing out of irri- 
tation or gonorrhoea! affections of the urethra, or from a condition of 



532 



PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEK 



the blood favoring tumorous or cancerous developments, in conse- 
quence of which the discriminating eye and touch of the experienced 
physician should be sought in all such cases if the patient would 
avoid mistakes and the possible ultimate necessity of castration 
growing out of neglect or maltreatment. 

Seminal Weakness. 
This disease is technically termed Spermatorrhoea, and is usually 
the offspring of masturbation or self-abuse, although occasional in- 
ri s- 14 °- stances are met with in which the dif- 

ficulty was unquestionably inherited 
from the father. It exhibits itself lo- 
cally by involuntary discharges of the 
seminal fluids through the orifice of the 
penis, or, more properly speaking, from 
the urethra. In the advanced stages of 
the disease there is also a wasting 
away of one or both of the testicles. 
In the illustrations, Fig. 140, A repre- 
sents a healthy testicle, and B one 
which has become wasted by mastur- 
bation and seminal weakness. 

I am almost daily called upon by 
young men who ask if it is not perfect- 
ly natural to have involuntary noctur- 
nal emissions occasionally — say once in 
a week or two. They have been so 
informed by their physicians! Such young men are excusable 
perhaps as they have not had opportunities of knowing better ; 
but it is disgraceful for any man laying claim to a knowledge of 
physiology to make such an assertion. It is too true that men 
who are in the habit of cutting up dead bodies, know too little of 
living ones. Good anatomists are not always astute physiologists. 
Those who are reputed to be expert surgeons are apt to be the 
poorest physicians, and really seem incapable of giving any common- 
sense advice ou subjects like the one under consideration. Only 
recently one of our most eminent surgeons, in a lecture before 
the Young Men's Christian Association, stated that involuntary 
emissions were inevitable occasionally, unless prevented by living in 




THE TESTES, IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. 

A represents one in health ; B, one 
wasted by masturbation. 



SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 533 

natural relations with the opposite sex. It would seem as though 
common sense would teach him better ; and it would almost seem as if 
young men themselves ought to know better without being told. It 
is a rule, having few exceptions, that a person subject to involuntary 
emissions feels the debilitating effect of them invariably the next 
morning after their occurrence, while every man of experience 
knows that sexual connection, when the companion is responsive, 
leaves no depressing effect upon mind or body, but on the contrary a 
buoyancy of the former and elasticity of the latter. Throwing aside, 
however, all reference to effect, with which nearly every one troubled 
with involuntary emissions is familiar, do we find nature so ready 
to cast off its vital substances and nervous forces ? Is it a fact that 
Dame Nature is a prodigal — following the profligate and dissipated 
example of her sons ? The seminal fluids are in part made up of the 
purest and most vital elements of the body. The best material of 
the whole system is concentrated in the secretion which contains the 
germs of a new being. Now, why should nature throw away this 
fluid any more than it should throw away blood ? We find that in 
all cases involuntary expenditures of blood are hemorrhages, result- 
ing from a diseased state of the system. The fluids which are of 
no use to the system are secreted by the kidneys, and thence poured 
into the bladder to be removed at the convenience of the person. 
The more solid effete matters are gathered into the colon to be ex- 
pelled periodically through the rectum. Even these functions are 
not performed involuntarily unless disease exists. Now if it were 
necessary that the seminal fluid should be disposed of at certain in- 
tervals, why are they not absorbed and removed by those channels 
provided by nature for the expulsion of waste matters, instead of 
disturbing the rest and quiet of the dreamer and so far deranging 
the nervous system as to produce depression of spirits, headache, 
and lassitude the succeeding mornimg ? To all this it may be object- 
ed that once a month, the female loses blood, from the age of pu- 
berty to the turn of life, in what is called the function of menstru- 
ation. If the objector be a physician, knowing as he should the 
quality of that blood, I would ask if he really believes that men- 
strual blood possesses any vital properties ? Is it blood at all in the 
sense in which we employ that term in speaking of the fluid that 
circulates in our arteries and veins and supports life ? Does he not 
know, and does not every woman know, that when pure arterial, 



534 PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. 

instead of menstrual, blood flows from the vagina of the female, it is 
at once called uterine hemorrhage instead of menstruation ? Does 
such a physician believe for a moment that any such draft is made 
upon the system to supply the menstrual secretion as takes place 
when the spermatic vessels are supplied with their secretions? Will 
he for one moment place the spermatic secretions and menstrual 
fluids side by side as possessing equal life and vitality ? Is it not a 
fact that while the spermatic secretions are teeming with life, the 
menstrual secretions are as effete in their properties as the urine ? 
In another place it will be observed that I speak of the ova of 
women passing off involuntarily. But these ova or eggs are not com- 
posed of vital constituents. Calcareous or earthy substances combine 
with various animal matter of a non- vital character to produce them. 
They exhibit no actual life under the microscope, and possess only 
earthy matters in common with semen. 

It may be asked, if the seminal secretion is so vital, how it hap- 
pens that married men and others who are perhaps excessive in its 
expenditure do not feel injury from its loss? To these queries I 
would reply, that in natural intercourse there is at least a partial if 
not complete compensation received in the act, as explained in my es- 
say on the philosophy of sexual intercourse (see page 622). Excesses, 
however, will lead to seminal weakness and in time induce a train of 
disorders not unlike those developed by masturbation or involuntary 
seminal emissions. I have said in one place that it is a rule, having 
few exceptions, that unpleasant effects follow involuntary losses 
of semen, such as physical lassitude, mental depression, etc. I might 
have added that even these exceptions finally arrive at the same con- 
dition ; and that the weakness, if not cured, invariably leads to that 
Injury of the parts which induces losses with the urine and at stool ; 
the weakness finally eventuating in impotency. I know all about it, 
because I am perfectly conversant with the history of thousands of 
people who have been affected with this difficulty ; have met them 
daily in my office for forty years, and probably have had a larger 
practice in this class of diseases in office and by mail, than any other 
physician in New York City; and any medical man who has so little 
knowledge of spermatorrhoea as to say that it will naturally occur 
in young men at certain intervals, should lose no time in explaining 
why nature provides such a function when it leads to such fearful 
results. Such advice, unless correct, is mischievous and tends to still 



SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 535 

farther demoralize the patient. I have been told by young men labor- 
ing under the supposition that these involuntary emissions were 
natural, that they had practised masturbation once in a week or ten 
days to prevent this natural overflow, remarking that they felt better 
when they did so than when they allowed the loss to take place 
without assistance. There is not a particle of doubt in my mind 
that the immediate effect is better. The ultimate effect is worse, 
simply because it is continually aggravating the spermatic weakness 
which they are endeavoring to palliate. 

Some patients have said that they felt better by continuing their 
practice of masturbation. This was because the habit had induced 
such an unnatural activity of the testicular glands that the spermatic 
Is became congested with the seminal secretion, and the removal 
of this secretion at such times produced possibly as great a sense of 
relief as bleeding at the nose in those persons who are subject to 
congestions in the head. This, however, is a most ruinous way to re- 
lieve congested vessels, for no sooner are they emptied, than they 
begin at once to fill, and soon reach the state of renewed con- 
gestion. The proper remedy is to restore them to their normal 
action, and not still further increase their excessive activity by re- 
peating that which led originally to the whole difficulty. I have 
been asked what becomes of the seminal secretions if not passed off 
naturally or involuntarily. I answer : they are re-absorbed or taken 
back into the circulation, the vital constituents going to vital centres 
to strengthen them, and the earthy properties to the bones, hair, 
nails, etc., to build up the masculine qualities of the man. (See 
page 612.) But in no case does nature dispose of these vital fluids 
by involuntary emissions excepting when the parts are diseased. 

There are, in reality, two kinds of spermatorrhoea, which are of 
so opposite a nature that treatment beneficial to one is injurious 
to the other. One results from excessive expenditure of nervous 
stimuli on the organ of amativeness and the organs of procrea- 
tion ; and the other, from a want of nervous vitality in the pro- 
creative organs, while the organ of amativeness may or may not be 
abnormally excited. In the former, or where there is undue ex- 
citability of the organs of amativeness and generation, emissions 
occur with erections, and usually under the influence of lascivious 
dreams. The victim is suddenly aroused under the most intense 
amative excitement, just as the seminal fluids are ejected, or, in sumc 



536 



PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. 



cases, lie may not discover what has happened until some time after, 
ward, although he remembers, either clearly or vaguely, the amo- 
rous dream under which the excitement and seminal loss took place. 
A person predisposed to this form of the disease may have it greatly 
aggravated by pin- worms in the rectum, or by any affection of the 
vascular system which produces an itching humor in the urino-geni- 
tal organs. The worms will so titillate the nerves leading to the 
sexual parts, that erections and losses of semen result. A slight in- 
flammation or eruption in the neck of the bladder may, when the lat- 
ter becomes distended with urine in sleep, cause an erection ; and if 
the person becomes sufficiently awakened to get up and urinate, an 
unnatural emission of semen may be avoided. If he does not, the 
debilitating discharge is almost sure to take place. 

The other form of spermatorrhoea, arising from a relaxed condi- 
tion of the organs, or, in other words, from a want of proper nervous 
stimulus to give strength to the spermatic vessels and ducts, is 
usually the most difficult and troublesome. It is the open door to 
impotency, and frequently the latter exists with it, or perhaps I had 
better say, that it continues after impotency has taken place. A 

person afflicted with sperma- 
torrhoea of this character loses 
the seminal fluids on almost 
any occasion giving rise to 
amative emotion, or physical 
effort. They exude when in 
the company of ladies, or in 
riding, walking, or urinating, 
and particularly at stool, if 
costive. Fig. 141 represents 
a microscopic view of the 
floating mucus and sperma- 
tozoa as found in the urine of 
one afflicted with this disease. 
The spermatic fluids may be 
wasted in this way for weeks, months, and sometimes years, if the 
constitution of the victim holds out so long, without his being aware 
of the drain which his system is laboring under, although he cannot 
fail to suffer from its effects. Some persons of constipated habit, 
troubled with this form of spermatorrhoea, eject large quantities at 




SPERMATOZOA, ETC., 

Discovered, by the aid of the microscope, in the 
urine of one having the worst form of sperma- 
torrhoea. 



SEMINAL WEAKNESS. 537 

every stool ; others will merely find, by examination, a drop or two 
oozing from the urethra. These diurnal losses are, if possible, more 
exhaustive than the nocturnal, and the mental sufferings of the pa- 
tient are usually intense. 

I have yet to speak of a more difficult and debilitating form of 
spermatorrhoea than what I have already mentioned, and that is a 
complication involving both of the forms described. Persons affect- 
ed in this way will have occasional erections, attended with frightful 
losses, while they are almost constantly suffering with diurnal dis- 
charges. Their procreative organs seem to be vibrating between 
an excess of nervous stimulus and an entire want of it. There is 
seldom, in such cases, any control of the parts. Erections will take 
place involuntarily, when cohabitation is not thought of, but when 
desired, the erectile tissue and muscles are flabby and powerless. 

The local symptoms attending the several phases of spermatorrhoea 
I have already given. The constitutional symptoms are various, ac- 
cording to the temperament and idiosyncrasies of the invalid. In 
some cases only a little nervous irritability or debility is experienced, 
while the mind gradually loses its vigor and activity. The victim is 
no more aware of the gradual approach of imbecility than an old, in- 
firm man who is losing his faculties day by day and seems uncon- 
scious of declining intellect, and feels exasperated if his abilities are 
questioned. Another is alive to his actual condition — finds his mem- 
ory waning—his powers of concentrating thought declining — and 
both his bodily and mental energies wasting away. Still another 
loses suddenly his mental powers, and becomes idiotic or insane. 
Still a greater number live in the greatest mental and physical 
despair, if not actual wretchedness. Hypochondriasis seizes upon 
them ; — they are full of whims and bugbears ; they imagine the ap- 
proach of all sorts of evils ; feelings of dread constantly overpower 
them ; and they fear death as if it were a plunge into a pit of burn- 
ing sulphur or something worse, and nothing in nature can excite 
their admiration or awaken within them pleasurable emotions. They 
are blind to the beautiful things a generous Creator has strewn 
in their pathway, and a look upward at night-time into the begem- 
med heavens, bewilders rather than enchants their depressed and 
troubled spirits. Tbeir imaginations are wrapped in a pall of hor- 
rors ; and though they may occasionally peep through its folds, and 
catch a ray of hope and sunshine, a little thing startles them, and they 



538 PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEtf 

turn from a world of horrors without to a temple of terrors within. 
If these mental hallucinations do not harass them they are dizzy- 
headed, short of breath, dyspeptic, victims to sleeplessness, neuralgia, 
pains in and palpitation about the heart, debility, nervous irritabili- 
ty, fretfulness, and melancholy. I do not mean to say that one per- 
son suffering with spermatorrhoea has all these troubles ; but every 
sufferer has one or more of them, depending upon the sensitiveness of 
his nervous organization and the length of time his disease has af- 
fected him. 

"What adds most to the horrors of this malady, which drains off 
the most vital fluids of the organism, and strikes at the intellect and 
manhood of its victim, is the ignorance of the profession generally 
in its treatment. As a rule, medical men treat one form of the dis- 
ease precisely as they do the other, and this lack of discrimination 
and discernment aggravates the trouble, and destroys the confidence 
and hope of the patient. Then, too, local remedies are generally too 
greatly relied upon. I have already shown that the disease in its 
various forms, is perpetuated by nervous derangements, or I have at 
least explained the manner in which nervous irregularities produce 
the losses. There is either an excess of the nervous forces precipi- 
tated on the organ of amativeness and the procreative system, or 
else there is a moiety, except in cases of complications such as I last 
referred to, in which there is a vibration between the two extremes. 
Consequently the nervous system must receive especial attention. 
To regulate the nervous circulation, or, in other words, to restore 
the nervous harmony, is in fact to effect a cure. At least that is the 
conclusion I have come to after treating successfully nearly every 
case which has been placed under my care, and I have had many 
which were regarded as extremely difficult, and any number of 
those which were considered incurable under the ordinary systems of 
medication. 

After perusing my remarks at the commencement of this essay, 
the reader cannot infer that I am unaware that masturbation and 
sexual excesses are usually the first causes ; that in consequence of 
children not being properly instructed by parents with regard to the 
evils of self-pollution, they nearly ruin themselves before they know 
any better ; that grown-up boys, or those calling themselves men — 
married men — destroy the tone of their reproductive organs by 
Bexual excesses and other pernicious practices treated of in this book. 



SEMINAL WEAKNESS. £39 

Bnt all these evil practices induce the troubles which follow, by do- 
ranging the nervous circulation, or by robbing the system of nervou3 
vitality. It is true, the vascular fluid or blood suffers from a waste 
of the seminal fluids, because the latter are largely composed of its 
very best properties ; but the nervous system is always the more 
disturbed, and requires the more particular attention. My custom 
is, to treat the disease with reference to all derangements involved, 
combining the remedies in such a way as to reach all, and yet the 
nervous derangements command my greatest care, and the removal 
of these is invariably succeeded by a discontinuance of the involun- 
tary discharges. 

TThile, as remarked in the preceding paragraph, the causes are 
usually self-induced, I have met with cases wherein seminal weakness 
was undoubtedly inherited. One of the most marked illustrations of 
this kind occurring in my practice, was that of a young man of about 
twenty-five, who, at the early age of eight years commenced having 
nocturnal losses without any knowledge of the practice of masturba- 
tion. At first they occurred about once a week ; at the age of six- 
teen they happened as frequently as every alternate night, and before 
twenty, while losses continued both night and day, he was entirely 
impotent. At the time he first called at my office he had been pur- 
suing the advice of various doctors for some five years without ma- 
terial benefit. Having become interested in a young lady whom 
he desired to marry, he had, on the confident assurance of a cure 
from one of the most eminent surgeons of Xew York, made an en- 
gagement of marriage. At the close of several months of surgical 
treatment, as unsuccessful as it was painful, the young man became 
frantic with a realizing sense of his position. Said he to me — •• Doc- 
tor, if you fail, I die a suicide; I cannot tell this young woman of my 
infirmity ; I cannot enter marriage with it ; I cannot break my prom- 
My mind is firmly made up. I have heard of your success in 
these difficulties, and if you cannot < ..re oe I shall put an end to 
this wretched existence.*' A minute history of the events attending 
the treatment of this case would be too lengthy to be interesting — the 
ups and downs of the young man's hopes — the encouragements and 
discouragements of physician as well as patient for the first two or 
three months; but by the end of the fifth, victory seemed promising, 
and at the close of the sixth, certain. At the end of eight months, 
the unmistakable success of the treatment was celebrated by his 



540 PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN. 

marriage. Although this was some four years ago, s& ce which time 
I occasionally meet my former patient, the cure s^ ns permanent, 
and the young man is grateful and happy. 

Persons afflicted with spermatorrhoea cannot be tao strongly cau- 
tioned against the various clap-traps and catchpennies of quacks and 
empirics who profess to have some remarkable panacea for the dis- 
ease. It cannot be too generally known that a " one-cure-all" can- 
not be made to suit everybody's case, even if it be possessed of some 
degree of virtue ; but by far a greater number of the advertised 
specifics are not only worthless but positively ir /'urious. Some of 
the more powerful of them tend more to dry up the seminal secre- 
tions than to impart power to the vessels and duct? to retain them. 
Thus sterility or impotency instead of the restoration of the parts is 
effected. Those who have tried them, need not be assured of what 
I have stated, but I give currency to these facts, for the benefit of 
those who have not yet been victimized by these pretentious, worth- 
less, and too often harmful panaceas. It is a false supposition en- 
tertained by many that marriage cures seminal weakness. There 
may of course be exceptions, but as a rule a cure cannot be effected 
by taking this step. It simply amounts to this : the secretions of 
the testicular glands are discharged by a natural process, before time 
is allowed for them to pass off unnaturally. The weakness and ner- 
vous irritability of the organs still remain. Unless cured, premature 
impotency eventually takes place. With this difficulty it not infre- 
quently happens that a middle-aged man is as powerless in the organs 
of generation as the majority of men are at the age of eighty years. 

Treatment, to be efficient, must be especially prepared for the case, 
for an invalid can ill afford time in experimenting in the use of 
nostrums of doubtful utility. Every reader at a distance should state 
frankly, in answer to the questions on page 600, every symptom at- 
tending his case, so that a correct diagnosis can be given, and all who 
become my patients may rest assured that my best efforts will be used 
for their permanent restoration. Such revelations need not be made 
by those who call on me at my office, for I can readily detect the na- 
ture and extent of the disease in cases personally presented. While 
most physicians inquisitively examine their visitor, the marks pro- 
duced by the affection are reliable tale-bearers to my perception. I 
have treated too many affected with spermatorrhoea not to recognize 
its victims. 



SATYRIASIS. 541 

Satyriasis. 

The title of this essay is the name used to designate a morbid 
amative passion in males. This disease, for such only can it be called, 
is barely recognized by the medical profession, entirely ignored by 
the legal fraternity, and any violent manifestation of it denounced 
as a crime by the judiciary. TThilethe intelligence of mankind has 
so far advanced that many life insurance companies have come to re- 
gard a suicide as an insane person, whose death entitles his heir 
to the insurance money, the law in many States of our Union inflicts 
the penalty of death upon a man who, through the insanity induced 
by ungratified amative passion, commits an act which is denounced 
as the crime of rape. Woman, more merciful, if she had power to 
make laws, would probably consider the destruction of the sexual 
organs of the unfortunate criminal as a penalty fully commensurate 
with the magnitude of the offence. Indeed we had an illustration 
of this in an orphan asylum in this State, nowlong ago. A boy of 
ten years of age, who was detected in an act of impropriety toward 
a little girl — also an inmate of the institution — was spared his life 
by the gracious matron, who was satisfied with causing the destruc- 
tion of the offending juvenile's genital organs by the application of 
that soothing emollient, oil of vitriol ! 

It is perhaps a little difficult always to discriminate between will- 
ful perversity and " moral insanity,'' but offences are sometimes 
committed, wherein the circumstances attending their perpetration 
plainly show that the offender was not of sane mind. When the wife 
of an affluent and highly respected citizen, surrounded at home with 
every luxury heart could desire, is so afflicted with a propensity to 
steal, that the husband gives notice to the merchants to watch her 
and charge her thefts to his account, the doctors and men of law 
pronounce the insane peculiarity a disease which they call klepto- 
mania. There are ever so many manias, the victims to which should 
be placed where they can do no harm to their stronger minded 
and more fortunate neighbors, but who do not deserve punishment 
as a penalty for crime. Orderly, sound-minded people need pro- 
tection from the unaccountable freaks of those who are subject to 
some kind of mania ; but it seems to me no mania is so injurious to 
the public peace as to deserve the extermination of those who are 
liable to its attacks. 



542 PRIVATE WORDS FOR MEN, 

Satyriasis is most unquestionably " moral Insanity," and isgener 
ally, not always, the result of sexual starvation. It is a noticeable 
fact that abstinence from carnality on the part of woman generally 
leads to partial or entire loss of amative desire, while the abstinence 
of a passionate man, in most instances, aggravates his amative appe- 
tite and drives him to madness. It will be found on investi- 
gation usually that the perpetrator of rape has either been so isola- 
ted from the society of females as to be sexually starved, or to have 
been fed on the husks of harlotry till he is driven mad with desire 
for wholesome sexnal gratification. He is like the beggar who has 
been for a long time without food, or else fed on the pickings from 
ash barrels, until, finally, standing before the tempting window of the 
bakery he madly dashes his hand through the pane for the coveted 
loaf. 

Kape is a terrible offence to a pure woman, married or single ; 
but morally and physically, unless the perpetrator be diseased, she 
receives not much greater injury than if, under fright she had fallen 
on something which had inflicted a similar shock to nerve and physi- 
cal tissues. I say physically and morally, because I am aware that 
public sentiment makes a good deal more of it. It is due to society 
that a man who has thus given way to unbridled passion be placed 
where he cannot again commit the offence ; but it is murder to take 
his life with legal hemp or to dispatch him with the bullet. He is an 
insane man. He should be confined and put under mental and moral 
treatment and low diet. There is better chance of making a good 
citizen of him than there is of making an honest and peaceable man 
of a pickpocket or housebreaker. Under the influence of honorable 
marriage he might become a worthy citizen — a good husband — a 
kind father. The very act he has committed is not considered a 
crime in wedlock, although when committed against the remon- 
strance of the wife it should be so ! The law takes no cognizance ^f 
legal rape ! 

That I may be fully understood I will add a word or two by way of 
qualification of the foregoing paragraph. A pickpocket or house- 
breaker or a shrewd swindler possesses traits of character which 
must be actually eradicated to make him a good citizen ; his character 
must undergo a radical change. The perpetrator of a rape may be a 
man of genial disposition, of strict business integrity, but of such 
unconquerable passion as to outrage another for its gratification. 



SATYRIASIS. 543 

His fault may be overcome — his passions subdued or at least placed 
within his control by marriage. He consequently possesses no 
quality which must be thoroughly rooted out, such as the reformer 
always encounters in making a good man of an ordinary criminal, to 
refit him for honorable *nd peaceful citizenship. 

The man conscious of haying ungovernable passion and sincerely 
wishing to reduce it to proper limits has remedies within his reach 
which will in most cases enable him to maintain self-control. They 
are — a plain vegetable or frugiverous diet ; avoidance of condiments 
and stimulating drinks ; the use of refrigerent medicines, such as 
epsom salts, seidlitz powders, citrate of magnesia and mineral wa- 
ters ; a daily ablution of the genital organs with hot water, followed 
with cider vinegar freely applied with a sponge. The local baths 
should be hot rather than cold, because when warm they produce a 
cooling reaction. "When this treatment proves insufficient, consult 
some sensible physician, who, if familiar with the management of 
satyriasis and the adaptation of remedies to temperaments, will have 
little difficulty in affording relief. 

To conclude this essay let me urge a change in public sentiment 
in regard to this form of disease in both sexes which manifests itself 
in ungovernable amative passion. It is invariably the result of de- 
rangement of the procreative system or of sexual starvation. In 
either case the offender deserves pity, and aid in reformation. In 
its most flagrant manifestations it is wichout question necessary to 
confine the patient until the mania subsides and there is positive evi- 
dence of so complete recovery and reformation that pardon and re- 
lease will not imperil personal safety. 

To treat of the subjects of this chapter in a manner entirely satis- 
factory to the writer would require another book of a thousand 
pages, and, considering the prevalence of such diseases and their 
far-reaching influences, it might be fairly charged that they have 
been too briefly handled here, except that they receive a good deal 
of further consideration in Parts III. and IV. As there must be a 
limit to the size of this book, the author would refer the unsatisfied 
reader for further special information to several dime pamphlets 
treating of the subjects of their respective titles, viz.: " Spermator- 
rhoea," " Phimosis," and ''Varicocele." Furthermore, as intimated 
in other places, anyone in need of special advice may freely consult 
the author in person or by letter. See Chapter XIII. 




CHAPTER XL 

IMPOTENCY- 

i HIS term may be properly applied to that inactivity 
of the organ of amativeness, or that interruption 
of its nervous or electrical communication with 
the procreative organs, which paralyzes the erec- 
tile tissue or muscles of the latter. It is usually 
only used in speaking ©f such difficulties among males. 
But it is a physiological truth, promulgated for the first 
time in this place, unless contained in some medical work 
which I have not had the pleasure of perusing, that females as 
well as males are sometimes impotent. I know how the lexi- 
cographer defines the term, but I claim for it a more extended appli- 
cation than is usually conceded, and the correctness of my position 
will be made plain in a few paragraphs. 

What is termed " erectile tissue" seems to consist of loose elastic 
tissue intimately interwoven with nerves, and divided into multi- 
tudinous cells, into which, under excitement, blood is forced, filling 
or congesting them to their utmost capacity. The penis and glans- 
penis of the male, and the clitoris, nymphse or internal labia, and a 
portion of the vagina of the female, are largely composed of this 
tissue, and the nerves in these parts being numerous, and in a healthy 
state sensitive, a little titillation will give them prominence and tur- 
gidity. Or, if the organ of amativeness becomes aroused without 
any such local titillation, it precipitates such a supply of electrical 
stimuli upon the nerves of the organs under its control, that they 
suddenly become erected. The nervous forces so sent not only con- 
tract the muscles of the arteries adjacent to the erectile tissue, by 
which their blood is forced into the latter, but the heat which the 
presence of the nervous stimuli creates^ also invites the pressure of 



IMPOTENOY. 



545 



Fig. 142. 




blood. Every person who has ever immersed his feet in hot water, 
has undoubtedly noticed how distended the veins of them become. 
This is not in consequence of the contact of the water itself with the 
feet, but because the water 
imparts its heat to them, 
while the blood is ever 
ready to congest any part 
of the system which is un- 
duly heated. Now, wheth- 
er or not the external 
temperature of the erectile 
tissue is heightened, so as 
to be perceptible, when 
the organ of amativeness 
warms it up with its mag- 
netic influence, certain it 
is, an unusual degree of 
heat is present therein, and 
that there is every incen- 
tive given for the blood to 
occupy and distend it, as 
well by invitation as by 
coercion. 

But it is not by congestion of the erectile tissue alone that the 
penis of the male and the clitoris, nymphae, etc., of the female be- 
come erected under amative excitement. All of these organs are also 
provided with erectile muscles, which, when free from the presence 
of the electrical excitation, are flabby and shrunken in size, and un- 
der excitement, extended and rigid. 

The fallopian tubes of the female which carry the egg from the 
ovaries to the uterus, not only seem to be spongy bodies, capable of 
distention by congestion of blood in their cells, but like the penis, 
clitoris, and other erectile organs of both sexes, are also provided 
with erectile muscular fibres. These tubes, commencing at the 
uterus and terminating in a fringe-like protuberance called the fim- 
briae, in juxtaposition with the ovaries, are represented by T and 
P in Fig.142. During coition, if the female is not impotent, the fallo- 
pian tubes are erect, and at the climax of the act, the fimbriae grasp 
the ovaries. If the egg or ovum is matured, it is sucked up by them 



WOMB, OVARIES, FALLOPIAN TUBES, ETC. 

U, uterus; c, cervex (neck and mouth); v, 
vagina laid open; o, ovary; t, fallopian tubes; 
r, broad ligaments; 1, round ligaments; on 
the left side the fimbra3 of the tube are 
grasping the ovary, which happens when an 
ovum has ripened, and is ready to be carried 
to the womb. If this delicate adaptation of 
parts should never occur, from any cause, all 
ova are lost and the woman is sterile. 



546 IMPOTENCE. 

and carried to meet the spermatozoa of the male for impregnation. 
I know it is disputed by some physiological writers that the fimbriae 
grasp the egg under the influence of the sexual orgasm, but their 
objections are poorly supported, or I might better say, well refuted 
by facts. 

Blundell says : "The vaginal canal during heat is never at rest; 
it shortens, it lengthens, it changes continually in its circular dimen- 
sions, and when irritated, especially, will sometimes contract to one- 
third its quiescent diameter. In addition to this, the vagina per- 
forms another movement, which consists in the falling down, as it 
were, of that part of the vagina which lies in the vicinity of the 
womb, so that every now and then, it lays itself out flatly over this 
orifice, as we should apply the hand over the mouth in an attempt 
to stop it." The entrance to the vagina is also provided with a 
sphincter muscle, which, in health, contracts so as to prevent, in a 
measure, the escape of the seminal fluids injected therein. 

Now, then, in my opinion, when the organ of amativeness is cut 
off from proper electrical communication with the erectile tissue and 
muscles, so that the erection and proper action of the procreative 
organs are imperfect, the disease may be properly termed impotency, 
whether the person so affected be female or male. The disease, 
whether it exists in one sex or the other, is certainly identical in its 
nature and effects. 

The fact that the organ of amativeness in the congress or parlia- 
ment of the mental faculties, is the member who governs the amo- 
rous impulses, that the organs of generation act under its direction, 
and that it communicates with the latter by the nervous telegraph 
between them, is illustrated in cases where the cerebellum (the 
part of the brain where amativeness resides) becomes diseased or im- 
paired by accident. I have, at this time, a very respectable married 
woman under my treatment, whose cerebellum is the seat of painful 
neuralgia, and since the advent of this disease, she expresses the be- 
lief that neither marriage nor sexual intercourse is right, and it is 
with difficulty her friends can prevent her from separating from a 
kind and devoted husband, to whom she had, previous to this attack, 
been fondly attached. Pancoast mentions the case of a young officer, 
who, on the eve of marriage, received a " blow on the occiput (back 
of the head) by falling from a horse. He became impotent without 
any other derangement of his bodily or mental functions, and in his 



IMPOTENCY. 547 

distress, upon discovering his imperfection, committed suicide on the 
morning fixed for the wedding." 

The various members of the body are, in health, under the control 
of the congress of mental organs. If a mechanic wishes to build a 
house. Mr. Constructiveness telegraphs to the hands and feet to pro- 
ceed to execute the work. A congress of the various organs con- 
venes, and Messrs. Causality, Comparison, Size, Ideality, etc., etc., all 
have a voice in the matter. But Mr. Constructiveness is the u boss of 
the job " and sees that the work is done up " ship-shape." But if Mr. 
Constructiveness is shut off from all communication with the hands 
and feet by what is termed paralysis, then the hands cannot perforin 
the work, and Mr. C. might as well shut up shop until the telegraphic 
or nervous communication is opened, and he obtains control of 
the wires or nerves. Now amativeness and philoprogenitiveness 
have agents to do their work. But if telegraphic communication is 
cut off between the base of the brain and the organs of procreation, 
impotency is the result. 

Excessive study will sometimes so divert the nervous forces from 
the base of the brain that perfect disinclination for sexual intercourse 
will ensue, to those who previously possessed much amative passion. 
Here the intellectual organs consume all the brain nerve-force and 
starve out amativeness. On the other hand, cases occur, in which 
both men and women, by thinking too much of sexual matters, or 
from some other cause, which inharmonizes the distribution of the 
nervous forces among the mental faculties (so that the organ of 
amativeness is unduly excited), become crazy in ungovernable de- 
sires for constant gratification of their sexual instincts. This disease, 
when it affects females, is called nymphomania ; when it affects 
males, satyriasis. 

Sometimes, the erectile tissue and muscles of the procreative 
organs are supplied at intervals, with nervous or electrical stimuli 
from what is called the inferior plexus, near the terminus of the 
spinal column, while all direct or instantaneous communication be- 
tween them and the organ of amativeness, seems to have ceased. 
In these cases erections will occur involuntarily or by titillation of 
the parts, hut they generally become flabby and powerless in any at- 
tempt at copulation. Such cases are not at all uncommon among 
males, for I have treated many of this description, and it is probable 
the difficulty is quite as common among females, although I have not 



548 



IMPOTENOT. 



had so many cases from among the latter, nor does it prevent them 
from indulging in a spiritless union with the opposite sex. 

Irnpotency in either sex, does not necessarily produce barrenness. 
If the testicles of the male secrete semen, containing healthy sperma- 
tozoa, and the ovaries of the female produce completely formed ova 
or eggs, then they are not in the strict signification of the term 
barren. In fact, impotent women do in many cases conceive by the 
Fig. 143. spermatozoa being injected into the mouth of 

the womb, and there finding a matured egg r 
which, if not taken up by the fimbria* of the 
fallopian tubes during coition, may have entered 
and descended one of the tubes a short time 
before. 

The organ of philoprogenitiveness is often 
active when the organ of amativeness is power- 
less, and the difficulty in the way of the im- 
potent man, if he has healthy spermatozoa, 
lies in his inability to penetrate the female 
organs. Still, under a local excitation of the 
parts, if taken advantage of, the act may be ac- 
complished. In some cases, amativeness may 
even be active, and the person may have the 
strongest desire for sexual intercourse without 
the ability to perform the act satisfactorily. 
When this is the case, amativeness is suffi- 
ciently stimulated by the nervous forces in the 
brain, but either the nervous communication 
between it and the sexual organs, or else the 
nerves in the sexual organs themselves, are 

FRONT VIEW OF THE PENIS. 

a, the glans-penis, the cor- paralyzed or partly so. 

rugated lines indicating 

the appearance of the 

erectile tissue under the those which produce nervous inharmony of any 

microscope; b, orifice of r . 

the urethra; c, the fore- kind. Perhaps the most common ar<*, intemper- 

ee, nerves; ff, arteries; ance in the use of stimulating food and drinks, 

^sssr?^^ 11 ^^*^^ and sexuai excess - Among 

ii, tho erector muscles. ' WO men, sedentary habits may be the most 
frequent cause. Their muscular systems become relaxed, and their 
nervous systems disordered, for want of pure air and out-of-door 
exercise. 




The causes of irnpotency are as numerous as 



IMPOTENCY. 549 

In acute diseases, when the powers of nature are employed in the 
effort to combat them, it is a conservative factor to be acquiesced 
in, if sexual desire and power are temporarily suspended, and in 
some forms of chronic or wasting disease inipotency may be re- 
garded as one of the symptoms. There are several such diseases in 
which it is unwise to attempt to stimulate the return of potency 
any faster than it can be re-established by means calculated to 
relieve the main disease. Impotency may be an accompaniment of 
general paresis, locomotor ataxia, anaemia, diabetes, Bright's dis- 
ease, and lead-poisoning. In such cases, to treat for impotency and 
ignore the real disease may be very unfortunate. Opium habitues 
and inveterate users of tobacco may lose their sexual power from 
the depressing effects of these drugs upon the sexual system, and 
excessive use of beer may put either a temporary or permanent 
quietus on desire or capacity. A lady who, through being addicted 
to opium had become apathetic, resolutely gave up this habit for 
the greater love of her husband, being advised by the writer that 
this was her only hope of becoming again normal, and she was 
rewarded in accord with her highest anticipations. Tobacco-smok- 
ers have been often similarly advised with equally happy results, 
though after some years of the depressing influence of such drugs 
on the sexual nerve-centres, there is often required a few months' 
treatment by means of antidotal medicines to aid in restoring nerve- 
sensibility and power of complete control. 

The causes of impotency are not only numerous, but often diffi- 
cult to determine, and offer quite a puzzling problem to the physi- 
cian as well as the patient. The psychic state may be at fault, as 
in imaginary impotency, where everything is physically sound 
enough, but the fear of failure, or, perhaps, the "conscience that 
makes cowards of us all " acts as a damper. Even where all con- 
ditions are favorable, including the legal and moral sanction, mere 
timidity or bashfulness, inexperience, or the novelty of the situa- 
tion, may suffice to incapacitate a man who is in no ordinary sense 
impotent, and it often happens that the first failure under such cir- 
cumstances so aggravates the lack of self-confidence as to lead to 
further failure, and establish a state of chronic fear with mental 
depression that constitutes a true psychic or imaginary impotency. 

Such doubt or fear may have for its basis the consciousness of an 
unwholesome past record or self-inflicted injury, even after all 



550 IMPOTENCY, 

symptoms of physical fault or sexual disease may have been relieved 
by skillful treatment. It is in such cases that the encouraging ad- 
vice of an experienced physician, even if consisting only of the 
methods of "mental science,'' or " faith cure," can aid wonderfully 
to reassure the unfortunate patient, and cure his psychic im- 
potence. Merely adopting an "expectant" attitude, and waiting 
for the spirit to move, is good advice in general for such cases. 

It is further true that the most potent men may be impotent with 
some women, and incurably so, but, except for "marriages of con- 
venience," or for money, it is not at all probable that such incom- 
patibles would marry, as the familiarities of courtship enable the 
parties to judge of their magnetic adaptability. It is no small objec- 
tion to marriages arranged wholly by correspondence, often begun 
through advertisement, that this method enables the correspondents 
to judge only of mental compatibility, without giving them any 
chance in advance to test physical attractions or magnetic reactions 
which are necessary to harmony and happiness. Even where all 
necessary adaptation exists at the outset, it may disappear with 
changes of time, and true lovers grow away from each other ; but 
the less the original fitness the greater the liability to early dissocia- 
tion. 

From what has been said in this chapter regarding the origina- 
tion of amorous impulses and forces in the brain, and what will be 
said in the next chapter of the nature of bankruptcy of the nerve- 
centres, it will be readily understood that impotency is almost in- 
variably a psychic or nervous disease, and that erectile power is no 
more to be expected when the sexual nerve-centres are "played out " 
or the lines down, than a trolley-car could be made to run if the 
dynamos at the power-house stopped or a break occurred in the 
wires. 

Treatment, to be successful, must rest, restore, feed, recharge and 
revitalize the storage batteries in the brain and spinal column, and 
re-establish the normal current of the nerve-force circulation, so 
that sensation-impulses shall be transmitted to the sexual nerve- 
centres, and muscular-power impulses be sent to the erectile muscles. 

I will close this essay by inviting all who are laboring under this 
mortifying disease to call on me in person or consult me by letter, 
(See Chapter XIII), 




CHAPTER XII. 
CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 



RAVING already occupied a greater amount of space 
than was originally assigned for Part III., to save 
all fractions of blank pages which are liable to occur 
at the conclusion of each chapter, I propose to pre- 
sent, under the above heading, a few brief essays 
on diseases of too important a character to pass over in 
silence. It may be thought by some that I have given 
undue prominence and unnecessary length to my treatises on 
the procreative organs of each sex, and that a portion of the 
space occupied by them might have been more profitably used 
in the consideration of the pathology and treatment of diseases of 
other organs. If so, from this hypothesis I must dissent, for the reason 
that the affections alluded to are found to exist as troublesome compli- 
cations in nearly every case of chronic malady which comes under the 
care of a physician. It is pleasant to know that this rule, like most 
others, has its exceptions; and all those who are fortunate enough to 
belong to this class must bring their observation, rather than their ex- 
perience, to bear in judging of the correctness of my statement. 

Furthermore, it is possible in very many cases of chronic disease to 
trace them back through various stages, or lines of cause and effect, to 
the originating cause in some injury inflicted on or through the reproduc- 
tive system by mismanagement or abuse of that function. It would, of 
course, be going too far to attempt to assign this as the basic cause of 
all insidious chronic diseases, but having just left the consideration of 
these very prevalent diseases of the sexual system, and being about to 
describe the most common and allied diseases, including their causes, 
and relations to each other, it is convenient to pass to our new subject 
over the broad natural bridge by which so many are found travelling 
from the former domain to the latter. This is now known as neuras- 
thenia. 



552 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

Neurasthenia. 

This word, of comparatively new coinage, was not employed by physi- 
cians when the first editions of this work were published, and yet has 
come within the last fifteen years into such common use that one may 
frequently find it in ordinary literature, taking the place of the old 
familiar phrase of nervous debility. It is a new name rather than a new 
disease that confronts us, but it has come to stay, and we accept it as a 
name that is employed wisely and well to cover a large range of nervous 
symptoms which may occur without any actual lesion or permanent, 
destructive change in nerve-tissue, such as occurs in organic nervous 
diseases. Neurasthenia simply means nerves without strength. 

Those who have read the brief summary of constitutional symptoms 
of spermatorrhoea on page 537, have already a fair idea of what consti- 
tutes neurasthenia, but, when combined with spermatorrhoea, it is 
better called sexual neurasthenia. As a similar train of symptoms may 
arise from other causes, and be indicated by some other special name, 
it may be well thus early to emphasize the fact that neurasthenia in 
general is not invariably due to the exhausting effects of spermatorrhoea, 
since over-work, or worry, sudden shock or extreme grief, as well as 
acute fevers or exhausting disease, may afford the foundation for it; 
but, remembering also how common neurasthenic symptoms are among 
women as a result of uterine or ovarian irritations, it is fair to say that 
at least three-fourths, if not more, of all cases of neurasthenia may be 
properly prefixed with the qualifying adjective indicating sexual origin. 
It is further true, that even those cases of neurasthenia not developing 
out of disease of the sexual system are liable in time to be attended with 
symptoms of irritability of the genito-urinary organs, such as frequent 
urination, involuntary seminal losses, impotency, or, in women, with 
local pains, menstrual disorders, and other evidences of irritation of 
the womb or ovaries. 

While, therefore, we must recognize cases of neurasthenia aside from 
sexual diseases, based often on brain-fag, nervous shock, eye-strain, 
dyspepsia, etc., the fact is that it is most commonly associated with 
more or less symptoms of sexual disorder, and it is in this respect that 
the subject has received most attention from physicians. The late Dr. M. 
Beard, who awakened a deep interest in it by a series of articles written 
about the year 1879, was probably the first among old-school physicians 
of this country to recognize and urgently advocate that involuntary 
seminal losses may be pathological — the basis of serious disease. From 
the predominance of nervous symptoms, and perhaps from some indis- 
position to regard spermatorrhoea alone as a disease, but rather as a 
symptom, he was accustomed to write of it as sexual neurasthenia. 



HYPOCHONDRIA. 553 

Though he did not go so far as to consider involuntary losses in all 
cases as evidence of disease, he forcibly combated the disposition so 
common among his associates to regard them as of no consequence, even 
when followed by such complaints as headache, languor, nervousness, 
and general or local pains. He said: "It is the common belief that 
patients suffering from this form of disease magnify — create symptoms 
which really never existed. This belief is an erroneous one; there are 
more persons who overlook many of their symptoms, forget them, or 
regard them simply as signs of health, than of those who create symp- 
toms that do not exist, or over-estimate their importance." He further 
described many who drag along, never knowing what real health is, 
handicapped unnecessarily by a variety of troublesome symptoms, which, 
though for a while permitting a fair amount of activity of mind and 
body, in time lead to serious or incurable conditions. 

Hypochondria. 

In those cases where hypochondria exists, he regarded it very properly 
as a symptom — just like sweating of the hands, back-aches, dizziness, 
tremors, palpitation, or cold hands and feet — a result of the exhausted 
state of the brain, which, like other symptoms, disappears with improve- 
ment in general nerve-tone. Opposing the too common and slip-shod 
way of shirking attention to obstinate subjective symptoms by dubbing 
them "only hypo" (hypochondria). Dr. Beard said: "In the majority 
of cases of hypochondria there is some real and demonstrable disease as 
the basis of the mental trouble which can be found if we but look 
closely into the condition of every organ; the term hypochondria being 
quite often a cover for our lack of thoroughness in examination. Very 
rarely do I find a case of morbid fear of disease where the kidneys, liver, 
stomach, and the prostatic urethra are in health." In fact he found, as 
all physicians will, who look deep enough, the cause of hypochondria 
where the ancients did who happily named it. that is, under the lower 
border of the ribs — in the abdominal regions — in conditions that send 
either reflex nervous influences or oppressing poisons in the blood to 
the brain. 

In hypochondria there is, as part of the disease, a tendency of the 
victim to magnify his ailments, but it and they have, at bottom, a true 
foundation in disordered vital functions, which may, by due attention, 
be cleared up, or, by neglect, be permitted to develop a form of insanity 
called melancholia. Hypochondria is therefore one phase, or symptom, 
of that lowered state of the nervous system which we call neurasthenia, 
but it is only one of many peculiar fears which the suffering mind con- 
jures up. One neurasthenic sufferer may dread to meet other persons, 
especially strangers, sometimes even friends, and for short we say he 



554 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

has anthropophobia; another may dread to be alone, monophobia, while 
others become subject to curious, fortunately rare, and almost original 
fears of particular places or acts. 

It would be an endless story to tell all the queer mental and nervous 
symptoms complained of by neurasthenic sufferers, but here is a list of 
those most frequently occurring, whether real or imaginary, reported 
by cases of neurasthenia of whatever origin, in men and women. 
Fortunately no one sufferer presents all — at least, not all at one time — 
though in the course of this variable disease, with dropping out of one 
symptom and creeping in of another, even one neurasthenic may run 
through the list; perhaps, more accurately, the list runs through him. 
One of the most dominant, though not invariable symptoms, is debility, 
weakness, disinclination for effort, mental or physical, and a sense of 
incapacity, with loss of memory, mental depression, and abject hopeless- 
ness. Perhaps more distressing than the debility are the symptoms of 
irritability, mental or nervous, such as fretf ulness, restlessness, peevish- 
ness, " groutiness," tremors of muscles, jerking of limbs, twitching of 
eye balls or lids, itching or formication (a feeling as though insects were 
creeping on the skin), chilly feelings, hot flashes, or sweating in parts 
or all over, wakefulness in hours for sleep and drowsiness during the 
day. Still other symptoms are aching eyes, blurring of sight, inability 
to use the eyes long, ringing sounds in the ears, palpitation of the heart, 
catching pains there, poor circulation, cold extremities, a sense of full- 
ness or oppression in the head, aches on the top or back of the head, a 
feeling as though the brain were u in a vice/ 7 dizziness, vertigo, explo- 
sions in back of head, pains all down the spine, dull backache, heat in 
small of back, shooting pains and neuralgia in any part of the body. 

Some neurasthenics are of fair exterior, or present the outward aspects 
of health, and exhibit their nervous weakness only in spots, or under 
special circumstances that arouse or depress them. Some seem especi- 
ally to lack nerve-balance and self-control, and have periods of excite- 
ment as though a storm swept through the emotional nerve-centres. 
Many are easily influenced, either to laughter or weeping, to sympathy 
or anger, through inability to hold the passions in check. 

Hysteria. 

An attack of hysteria, with exhibition of hilarity, excitement, and 
convulsions, may not at first thought seem to indicate a lowered state 
of the nerve-forces, but it is, in fact, the result of an irritable and ex- 
plosive state of the emotional and lower nerve-centres, with lack of 
power and control in the higher. It is, like hypochondria, a phase of 
neurasthenia, and not liable to occur in a well-ordered, well-nourished, 
and well-toned nervous system. It is often associated with sexual ner- 



HYSTERIA, 555 

vous irritations, arising from diseases peculiar to women, and takes its 
name from the womb (Greek, hystera), but it occurs also in men, and 
more often in boys, from disturbances arising in sexual neurasthenia, 
and it may occur either in men or women from a neurasthenic state not 
dependent upon sexual disease. Hysteria is, however, far more common 
among women than men, while the reverse is true of hypochondria. 

Often the description of some one case in the patient's own way gives 
a better idea of a disease than mere general statement of the symptoms. 
While writing this there comes to hand a letter from a lady who is plac- 
ing herself under treatment for a severe and typical form of neuras- 
thenia, bordering on hysteria, brought on or precipitated by an attack 
of La Grippe about four months previous, though evidently the final 
collapse was invited by causes dating back even to childhood, as well as 
five years of working nine hours a day. with no time for dinner, as a 
telegraph operator. Besides being melancholy, she is sometimes over- 
come, when about to go to sleep, by a sort of frightful paralysis of body 
and mind. ' • Now, when I begin to feel that way. I sit up and it passes 
off. My sleep is restless — dreain all night long : have not had a good 
night's rest in five years: have had to give up my position on this 
account, as my nerves were too unstrung for work. Am always drowsy, 
sleepy, good-for-nothing during the day. Hands and feet always cold 
and moist. Headaches every day — sometimes so severe I fear it will 
affect my mind : half of my head aches, but a constant pain in back of 
head near the neck: also very dizzy at times, and rush of blood to the 
head when the least bit excited; heavy, oppressed feeling, expecting all 
the time something terrible to happen. . . . Chronic catarrh. . . . 
Palpitation of the heart, seems to flutter, then stop, and I get short of 
breath. . . . Indigestion. I feel hungry after a hearty meal, and have 
a sense of trembling and faintness in stomach: bowels constipated. . . . 
I feel very weak, nervous, and trembly all over, and sore, as though I 
had been beaten with a club, and sometimes it seems as though the life 
was gradually dying out: it commences in my wrists, or pulses, and 
they get weaker and weaker, my sight becomes dim. and my face turns 
very pale — I have completely fainted away in such spells." She has no 
doubt given a very accurate account of her condition in spite of her dis- 
tressing mental hebetude, and such are the symptoms, with infinite 
variety, and no end of new combinations and individual peculiarities, 
which can all be cleared up by raising the tone of the nervous system. 
as a fog clears with the rising sun. 

Almost enough has been said of the causes and symptoms of neuras- 
thenia, a disease which is said to be more common in the United States 
than in foreign countries. Some think our climate induces an over-ex- 
citable state of the nerves, by which they wear themselves out preina- 



556 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

turely, but whatever the stimulus to drive, hurry, cram, jam, haste and 
waste, certain it is that we are a nation of energetic, ambitious hustlers, 
making heavy calls on u nerve" in the every-day affairs of life. So we 
hear much on all sides of confession of over-work, too close application 
to business, etc., etc., and yet, to some who lend the ear in the medical 
confessional, the doubt often arises whether all this could not be pretty 
well borne if it were not for the added strain of over-play, the u early 
indiscretions," and late night-hours dissipated in amusement, and the 
insatiable appetite for emotional excitement. Too much of a good thing 
is good for nothing, whether work or fun; no doubt some exhaust them- 
selves, and bring on premature old age of the nervous system by over- 
work alone, others by dissipation, but the lively, all-round man of the 
world, who devotes himself assiduously to work, and also indulges in all 
that's going on in the way of so-called fun, is burning the candle at both 
ends too literally, in consuming his nerve-forces at both top and bottom 
of the spinal column as well as along its whole course. Neurasthenia is 
the warning signal of danger for such reckless men, but if, by plentiful 
use of narcotics and anaesthetisers, such as alcohol, tobacco, and opiates, 
they still the cry of the nervous system, its disorganization, or utter 
break-down in paresis or general paralysis is one of the ways that nature 
has of settling her account with them. 

Records of Ward's Island insane asylum, from 1885 to 1895, show that 
one-third of all the cases that terminate fatally are of paresis, at ages 
from twenty- two to seventy-nine. Neurasthenia may lead, through 
impairment of the action of the vital organs, to break-down and death 
by almost any of the wasting diseases, or render its victim easy prey for 
some infectious disease or epidemic, but the transition from nerve-ex- 
haustion to paresis is a direct, if imperceptible, change from a functional 
and curable to an organic, incurable form of nervous disease, and affords 
a good opportunity to study the difference between the two in their 
nature, or what doctors call their pathology. 

It may be some time since the reader began the first chapter of this 
book, and probably he will be helped to understand what follows in this 
chapter by refreshing his memory in what the opening chapter tells of 
the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. One must understand something of 
their normal operations in order to get any idea of what happens when 
anything goes wrong with them. The brain was called the capitol, or 
headquarters of the combined human organism, and the nerve-cords 
connecting the brain with all other parts were compared to telegraph 
wires sending messages to and from the capitol. The head, when it is 
level, controls all below, regulates all vital functions, the movements of 
heart and lungs, and co-ordinates or harmonizes ail, either automatically 
or through exercise of intelligence and will but there may be, in dis- 



NEURASTHENIA. 



557 




ordered states of the brain, not only impairment 
of mind and will, but also of the automatic 
nerve-regulators, so that important functions, 
for lack of proper stimulus and control, become 
irregular, as when the heart palpitates, or mus- 
cles twitch involuntarily. Even the sensory 
nerves, those ubiquitous reporters who stand as 
sentinels at millions of points in the surface of 
the skin, may begin to send in "fake.'' or 
• • sensational " news, and inform the brain that insects are crawling 
on the skin, or water trickling on it, pins pricking it or needles 
stabbing deeply, when in fact there is no such state of the case. 
Sometimes it is not the outer sentinels who are responsible for 
false alarms, but the receiving operators in the central office are 
either misinterpreting despatches, or creating them out of their 
own imagination, as it were. Let us, then, look after these re- 
sponsible officials at headquarters and find out what is wrong with 
them when there are signs of local or general disturbance in the 
human nervous organism (i.e., nervous disease). 

Students of what is called minute or microscopic anatomy long 
ago ferreted out the units or cells of the nervous system, and found 
the gray or ash-colored brain-substance to be made up of innumer- 
able microscopic u cells," connected together by even more in- 
numerable " processes, n lines, cords, or wires, in comparison with 
which even a spider's thread would be larger than any bridge-cable 
ever constructed; but it is only since 1890 that they have dis- 
covered and been able to describe just what difference there is be- 
tween a nerve-cell in its healthful and unhealthful states. This is 
an interesting achievement of modern research, and its main facts 
will be now presented as briefly and clearly as possible. 

The elements or units of the nervous system are now called 
neurons, and as that is an easy word to speak and write, it may as 
well be made popular as well as technical. It consists of the nerve- 
cell and its branches. The cell, or body-part, is 
of various forms. It consists of protoplasm, or 
soft, egg-like substance, with a part more con- 
densed than the rest, and called its nucleus, but 
it has one or more branches, which spread out 
and divide like the roots of a tree, to connect j 
the neurons with each other and with the nerve- 
- or wires that extend to all parts of the 
body. Our illustration shows one neuron with 
its branches, and pictures one leading away to Fig. 144. 




558 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

a sense- testing nerve-bulb located, may-be, in the tip of the finger. The 
bulb is the " transmitter" of an impression, and the neuron the "receiver." 
If the news be important the neuron informs other ' ' operators, " whose 
business it is to know, and perhaps the result is the neuron becomes 
the " transmitter " of a command or telegram along another nerve-cord 
to a " receiver" nerve-plate in a muscle that responds by an action that 
jerks the finger tip away — if, for instance, it has come in contact with a 
lighted match or sharp tool. The neurons are then operators whose 
function it is to receive impressions from all the special senses, interpret 
or arrange them, distribute the news as does an ' ' American Press Asso- 
ciation " to all its subscribers, and lastly to act promptly, even auto- 
matically, or deliberately, which means that many neurons confer in 
what we call conscious cerebration before any one of them is authorized 
to issue an order for action. This brief outline of nerve-anatomy and 
action is but a mere glimpse at the wonderfully complex functions by 
which we feel, think, and act, and is only preparatory to showing what 
happens to the neurons when they become ill, and make us feel, think, 
and act abnormally. 

Let it first be understood that the function carried on by Mr. Neuron 
makes him tired, uses him up, so to speak, and tends to unfit him for 
business. This is compensated for by his power to recuperate, to recoup 
his substance from the blood, and "pull himself together again;" but if 
he is held down too long hours in business, "rushed," or "rattled," he 
misses food and sleep, and shows signs of exhaustion. How does he 
appear then? The observers who have caught him in this predicament 
under the microscope say that this is how the neurasthenic neuron looks: 
"There is a gradual diminution in the size of the cell, a lessened power 
to absorb staining substances (dyes which color some particles more 
than the rest), which may be taken as evidence of imperfect power of 
nutrition, vacuolation (open-like spaces) which may be taken as proof 
of the using up of its own substance, and alteration in the nucleus 
(the ' heart ' of him), which is decreased in size, and changes from a 
smooth and rounded to a jagged and irregular outline. As the cell be- 
comes changed in its structure by constant work, it becomes more and 
more exhausted, so that finally there comes a time when it is no longer 
capable of sending out impulses, and requires a period of rest to make 
up what it has lost of form and substance, and to regain a store of 
energy. . . . These results have been reached by stimulating cells to 
work in living animals either by electricity, or by keeping up move- 
ments, such as running, or by exposing one eye to light while the other 
was kept dark, and then contrasting the appearance of the cells made to 
work with those which were kept at rest. It is evident, then, that we 
can now study the exact mechanical and chemical effects of nervous 



NEURASTHENIA. 559 

activity. When a stimulated cell is allowed to rest, it gradually resumes its 
original appearance; but the period of rest must be adequate." 

Almost everyone who reads this description of a "played-out" neuron 
will be likely to see many points to remind him that "that's just how I 
feel myself when I'm used up, " and therefore not be inclined to doubt 
the truth of the observation. It may be of use to him if he will take 
pity on the countless millions of neurons which constitute his nervous 
system, and remember that it is when many of them feel gaunt, vacuous, 
and jagged, that "he knows how it is himself" — a phrase which, though 
common, needs no apology, since it fits so well. 

How does Mr. Neuron recuperate? His means of "bracing up" are 
much like our own, but his success in the attempt depends on what we 
do for him. The ' • bread and butter question " is with him, as with us, 
the one of first importance. He lives on what he feeds on, and takes 
the best he can get. Anatomists say "there is no part, every cell of 
which is so constantly bathed in the vital fluid, as the neuron." To cut 
off his supply means paralysis for him, and for at least some part of the 
man he belongs to. It is a rather remarkable fact, though of course a 
very conservative factor in human economy, that when a man is com- 
pelled to starve, and live by self -consumption, the nerve-substance of 
his body is the last to be called upon to give itself up "to keep the pot 
a-boiling." the fires up, and life's forces at work. It is, indeed, for the 
good of the whole organism that the nerve-man has the nerve to preserve 
himself till the last hope of food is gone ; but toward the end, Mr. Neu- 
ron too literally caves in. Though he long shrinks from yielding, yet 
at last he shrinks indeed, and wastes to a mere skeleton of a nucleus — 
so far gone that, if at this late day food comes to the rescue, it is many 
weeks before he can be made to look like himself again. The lower the 
state of nervous exhaustion the slower the recuperation. Another fact 
to bear in mind is that Mr. Neuron is particular, and wants good nourish- 
ing food, and is easily irritated by foul, impure things. Neuralgia has 
been well defined as the cry of the neuron for better blood. So even 
when the body as a whole is in a fair state of fullness, there may be 
hungry and unsatisfied neurons that have not had their fill of what they 
need, because the blood did not bring it to them; or there may be neu- 
rons that sicken and wilt from the stupefying effects of poisons circu- 
lating in the blood, as in cases of acute fevers, syphilitic infections, and 
chronic autotoxasmia, where the system is charged with its own excre- 
mentory waste matters when they are not being eliminated fast enough. 
The man who is bilious, jaundiced, diabetic, rheumatic, or uraemic, is 
sensible of the fact that all his neurons are depressed, under a cloud, or 
melancholic, or in some states of self-blood-poisoning. The neurons may 
be irritated to such a degree of irrepressible excitement as to develop 



560 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

explosive storms made evident by epileptic fits, or attacks of acute 
mania. 

The subject of autotoxaemia, or how, why, and when a man becomes 
ill in many ways through accumulation and retention of blood-poisons 
produced within himself; thus accounting for a large range of chronic 
diseases, is very thoroughly treated, and made plain for the average 
reader, in a pamphlet entitled " Autotoxaemia — self -blood-poisoning," by 
Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr., and those who wish to know more of the subject 
than we can tell here will find much of interest in the pamphlet. 

It makes little difference as to the appearance presented by Mr. Neu- 
ron whether he has been overworked, ill-fed, or poisoned. In any event 
he becomes shrunken, pale, haggard, vacuolated, and in function inat- 
tentive, irregular, careless, unreliable. Shakespeare said: "O that men 
should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains ! " The 
effect was evident, but the almost omniscient poet didn't know, as we 
do now, how alcohol acts directly on a man's neurons to steal away their 
power. Andriezen has discovered that when a man "gets a jag on," 
the neurons become "jagged" too. The first effect is to cause soften- 
ing and swelling of the neuron's branches, and next the substance of 
the neuron itself becomes disintegrated and vacuolated — "channeled 
and tunneled by holes and seams of liquefaction." Along with these dis- 
coverable alterations of substance go the noticeable symptoms of drunk- 
enness, the weakened faculties of attention, memory, and will, and the 
loss of muscular power and steady control. "If this destructive process 
has gone on beyond the power of regeneration, the disease progresses to 
chronic alcoholic dementia. If, however, regeneration is possible, re- 
covery ensues." Repeated assaults in this manner upon the integrity 
of the neuron causes gradually diminished power of recuperation, and 
what began as a vice becomes fixed as a disease. Either periodical 
sprees or steady moderate drinking may bring on permanent changes in 
the structure of the neurons, impairing all mental and bodily function, 
will-power, "nerve" and muscular strength, and so knock out the finest 
specimens of brute humanity, as shown by the early decline, downfall, 
and premature death of many celebrated champions of the prize-ring. 

Knowing now what the neurons look like, the wonders they can do in 
health, how they wilt when abused, and recuperate when they have a 
chance, we get a fair idea of the physical or tissue difference between a 
state of healthy nerve- tone, a functional nervous disease, and an organic 
one. In health the neuron is well-fed, not overworked, and has fair 
hours of rest; when it is overworked, or under-fed, or poisoned (it 
would be impossible to say from which of these evils it suffers most), 
it becomes lean, hungry gaunt, haggard, "soft," weak, and incapable 
of steady attention to business, and the possessor ot such neurons be* 



NEURASTHENIA. 561 

comes neurastlienic ; or has functional nervous disease, manifested by 
symptoms of debility and irritability; but until the neurons have be- 
come utterly exhausted, degenerated, and wasted, they may be enabled 
to revive, and the disease be cured. When they become soft beyond 
repair, or hardened by another process of degeneration, called sclerosis, 
the nervous system is the subject of an organic, incurable disease, more 
or less serious according to location and extent of the " lesion." 

The well known disease brought on from softening is general paresis, 
a prostration of both mental and bodily powers, which renders the sub- 
ject a candidate for some insane asylum, where most of them vegetate 
to the end — sometimes in a long-drawn-out period of uselessness neces- 
sitating much care. Probably the most common cause of this degenera- 
tive disease is the state of mal-nutrition of the neurons, due to blood- 
poisoning by syphilis, through its destructive effect on the blood-ves- 
sels. 

There are several other causes which operate through the circulatory 
system to rob the neurons of blood-supply, and thus bring on apoplexy, 
and various forms of localized paralysis, affecting half the body or less. 
Small arteries in the brain may become so thinned or " varicose" as to 
burst, and others may become blockaded by plugs of clotted blood. If 
these obstructions can be removed by absorption before the neurons in 
their field of blood-supply become too far starved to death or softened, 
such an " organic nervous disease" may be curable. 

It would hardly be possible to present in a book for popular reading 
the means of deciding between functional and organic nervous diseases, 
or between curable and inciirable nervous affections, for, as we have just 
shown, all organic diseases are not incurable, neither are all (seemingly) 
functional diseases curable; but in a general way it may be said that 
while most of the symptoms of neurasthenia may belong to organic dis- 
eases, none of them necessarily indicate it, and the important thing for 
all sufferers from nervous symptoms to remember is that they must not 
let their neurons run so far on the down grade of mal-nutrition as to 
become softened beyond repair, and that the nearer they go to the line of 
degenerative change, the more difficult and tedious will be the task of 
restoring them to the normal state. They who would save their life 
must lose it — that is, the mode of life which has seemed good, but proved 
to be destructive — and rigorously or religiously adopt such means as 
strict nvgienic living; avoidance of all intense excitement, worry, over- 
work, or idleness; moderate systematic exercise, short of the fatigue 
point regular and long hours of rest; plain, nutritious fare, and plenty 
of it; and an appropriate course of treatment by electricity, baths, or 
medication that will enrich the blood, renourish and revitalize the 
neurons, and reorganize all vital functions on a harmonious basis. 



562 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 



Paresis and Paralysis. 
There will probably be no better opportunity or appropriate place than 
this to give a brief description of the most common and serious nervous 
diseases. General Paresis, or general paralysis of the insane, has been 
mentioned, and its mode of origin explained as due to a breaking down 
from malnutrition and exhaustion of the nerve-elements — brain soften- 
ing, as it is shortly stated and commonly expressed. It is not at all 
easy to judge by the symptoms in any case just when it passes from 
being one of mere neurasthenia to one of general paresis — i.e., when the 
process of actual softening beyond repair has begun, when the line of 
degeneration is passed, beyond which there is no turning back. It is 
like the passing of day into night when the sun is behind the clouds. 
The recognized symptoms of this disease are mental failure, loss of 
memory and concentration of thought, nighty notions, extravagance of 
the imagination, false ideas of wealth, ability, and power, "crankiness," 
restlessness, sleeplessness, progressive weakening of muscular power 
and control, with irregular drunken gait, thickness of speech, and un- 
equal size of the pupils. The weakness gradually becomes utter paral- 
ysis, and the mental state degenerates to imbecility. This comes about 
in from one to ten years. Most of such cases, becoming well defined, are 
fit subjects for asylum treatment, as epileptic and maniacal attacks are 
apt to be occasional occurrences. Paralysis is the name applied to 
cases in which there is loss of power in some part, owing to loss of ner- 
vous control. There is often also a loss of sensation, or ability to feel a 
touch or injury of the paralyzed part. When due to apoplexy, already 
explained as an injury to nerve-centres resulting from a rupture of a 
weak blood-vessel, and the pressure of an oozed clot of blood, the paral- 
ysis is likely to affect only one side of the body, including the arm and 
leg of the same side, and that is called hemiplegia, but when the lesion 
or accident has occurred in the spinal cord, as from " breaking the back/' 
or the growth of a tumor, the loss of power is in the lower half of the 
body and the legs, and the arms are seldom involved — this is called 
paraplegia. A sensation as of a girdle around the body often helps to 
locate the site of the injury in the spine. Of course the curability or 
prognosis in cases of paralysis depends mainly on the nature of the 
lesion, and what may be done to repair the damage. The apoplectic 
kind is most often cleared up in course of time by the absorption of the 
blood-clot, and the main danger to fear and provide against is the repeti- 
tion of such attacks. While paralysis of this origin is truly enough a 
nervous disease, it is not primarily such, and the treatment needs to be 
directed mainly to the blood and circulatory system, since it is weak 
spots in the smaller arteries which are the source of danger (from pup- 



PARALYSIS, PALSY, LOCOMOTOR ATAXY. 563 

ture). and the probable cause of such erosions of the arteries is a bad 
quality of the blood favoring either malnutrition or a slowly corroding 
inflammation. 

Facial Paralysis. 

Facial Paralysis occurs on one side of the face in the region of the 
nerve that controls its muscles, and is usually due to pressure on 
the nerve where it passes through a narrow, bony canal. "Catching 
cold " may cause a swelling along this nerve, and there would be room to 
accommodate it almost anywhere else, but this nerve gets itself pinched 
by swelling, and then that side of the face ••falls." becomes lifeless, ex- 
pressionless, powerless. The eyelid cannot be closed to wink, or the 
mouth puckered to whistle. Most such cases clear up in a couple of 
months, especially if proper local and constitutional treatment be em- 
ployed. It is one of the many manifestations of the rheumatic state of 
the blood. Locally, hot water applications, massage, and electricity are 
the favorite remedies. 

Shaking Palsy. 

Paralysis agitans, or shaking palsy, is an affection of advanced age. in 
which there are occasional or constant tremors (trembling) of the hands 
and feet, and maybe rigidity of the muscles, impairment of walking. 
loss of equilibrium, and cramp-like pains. The head and neck are free 
front tremors, but become rigid or fixed in a forward position. There is 
difficulty in talking, and maybe in swallowing. The mental state is one 
of restlessness and irritability, and gradual failure. It is a disease of 
slow progress, and the possibility of arresting it depends, of course, on 
the age of the patient, and the general state of bodily vigor. 

Locomotor Ataxy. 

Locomotor Ataxy is a disease located in the spinal cord, an atrophy of 
nerve-fibres, and fatty degeneration, impairing the nerve-muscular con- 
trol and sensation of the lower limbs. Its most noticeable objective 
symptom is the •• ataxic gait." which is unsteady by jerks, with a pecul- 
iar prance or kick, but the worst subjective symptoms are the stabbing 
or shooting neuralgic pains. The limbs are anaesthetic — slow to sense a 
prick — heavy and numb. Such symptoms may later affect the arms 
and hands also. The eyes are liable to be "crossed," or to double vision 
and other disturbances. Among the early symptoms which lead us to 
ect this disease are difficulty in going down stairs, or in standing 
still with the eyes closed, especially on one foot. The patient does not 
• the ground properly, and feels as though -walking on air." On 
rising to walk he hesitates a moment, to get well balanced for a start, 



564 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

and when well started he cannot well stop. < k Rheumatic " pains, shift- 
ing, coming or going suddenly, or fixed in one spot for hours, often pre- 
cede the more certain diagnostic signs. The causes are various, includ- 
ing exposure, fatigue, all forms of dissipation, and especially sexual 
excess and venereal disease (syphilitic). Excepting when the disease is 
due to "the bad disease," there is no specific treatment, but it can often 
be arrested 'by diligent enforcement of general measures for improving 
all vital functions, and providing a good, clear, and rich quality of blood. 

Epilepsy. 

Epilepsy (fits, or falling sickness) is one of the most common of the 
serious and obstinate nervous diseases, and yet it is generally supposed 
to be functional, or, if there be some change from the normal state of the 
nerve-cells (neurons), it has not yet been discovered (except in those 
cases of epilepsy directly following injury to the skull, or coverings of 
the brain). In an epileptic person these nerve-centres are peculiarly 
"touchy," irritable, and predisposed to volcanic eruption of nervous 
energy, whereby the whole body is thrown into spasms, and conscious- 
ness is lost for a time. Just why these neurons are ready to "go off 
half-cocked" on slight provocation is not understood, but the fact is 
well settled that some persons are "born that way," with an unfortunate 
inheritance of a nervous system which may be said to be in a constant 
state of unstable equilibrium. This does not mean that the parent of 
an epileptic by heredity must have had the disease, but if one of the 
parents had not some marked disorder of the nervous system, then the 
lack of proper adaptation in marriage was such as to transmit an un- 
stable nervous organism. 

When the nervous system is thus susceptible to spasmodic action, it 
is "set off" in epileptic attacks by slight provocation, as by emotional 
excitement, some indigestible substance in the intestines, or a little ex- 
cess of some autotoxic impurity in the blood. Dr. Brown-Sequard wrote 
that "Sympathetic Epilepsy is frequently due to an irritation of the 
sexual organs, especially brought on by masturbation. In Anglo-Saxon 
countries, where children are less watched and warned against the dan- 
gers of that fatal habit than in other civilized countries, epilepsy due to 
that cause is particularly frequent." He showed also that in Hasse's 
record of a thousand epileptics, 364 of them were found to be between 
ten and twenty years of age. If, when the nervous system is prone to 
epileptic seizures the individual could be so carefully guarded through 
the tender period of youth as to avoid unnecessary sources of irritation, 
very likely when reaching adult age the propensity would have been 
outgrown — the 1 dangerous period passed; but the susceptible nervous 
system, together with some abnormal and continuous aggravation of its 



EPILEPSY. 565 

infirmity, leads to the establishment of a confirmed form of epilepsy, and 
one that will yield only to prolonged and careful treatment. 

In considering the aggravating causes of epilepsy, it is difficult to 
decide whether to lay the greater blame on irritations originating in the 
sexual organs or the digestive organs. At all ages, but especially in un- 
guarded youth, the chance of evil from both sources is unfortunately 
very great. During infancy it often takes but little *' i belly-ache " to give 
rise to convulsions in children who do not really belong to the epileptic 
class, and as boys and girls are brought up to gourmandize on meats and 
sweets, and partake of everything set on the table, there is abundant 
source of irritation for their nervous systems in the almost perpetual 
disturbance going on in their stomachs, so that, wherever there is a ten- 
dency to epileptic disease, it is pretty sure to be stimulated into activity, 
either through ignorant or reckless abuse of the digestive and genera- 
tive functions. 

A general epileptic attack generally exhibits these symptoms: pale- 
ness, loss of consciousness, a cry, general spasms, a fall, biting of tongue 
and lips, congestion and redness of face, short, difficult breathing, froth- 
ing at the mouth, perspiration, relaxation of spasms, stupor, sleep, and, 
on waking, headache, and fatigue. In the mildest cases, called petit-mal 
(little sickness), there is only a momentary lapse of consciousness, and 
spasm of a few muscles of the face or neck. Whether great or small, 
the attacks recur periodically, often with some regularity, from ten a 
day to one in ten years. Some such cases have premonitory or warning 
symptoms, in form of queer sensations, irascible temper, cold hands or 
feet, or some optical illusion, occurring a few hours or seconds before 
an attack. Epileptics generally have other evidence of poor health, and 
no doubt the nervous system surfers from every new attack. In time 
memory fails, and other mental faculties are impaired. Excitability of 
temper, depression of spirits, and even symptoms of insanity develop in 
some of these cases. 

In the treatment of epilepsy little can be done during an attack except 
to guard the subject against self-inflicted injury. After an attack he 
should be turned on his side and the tongue drawn forward, so as not 
•struct breathing while he is permitted to " sleep it off." The 
curative treatment demands that the general health should be attended 
to all round, the nerve-centres nourished, the blood made rich and pure, 
all sources of irritation removed, especially from the mind, the diges- 
tive and the sexual organs, and lastly, not firstly, as most cases are 
treated, a sedative compound may be used to subdue the over-excit- 
ability of the nervous system, and so stave off its explosions. The bro. 
mides, though much abused for this purpose, are still indispensable, but 
their utility, and especially their harmless application, requires good 



566 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

judgment in selection and combination, with an eye to the objects first 
stated in speaking of treatment. The writer has found simplicity and 
abstemiousness in diet, and a preference for a vegetarian bill of fare, 
very conducive to success. 

The Question of Functional or Organic Disease. 

In contrasting functional and organic diseases we have been accus- 
tomed to think of the former as presenting no discoverable change in 
the actual structure of parts, while in the latter there is evident change 
or loss of substance ; but the latest facts in regard to the changes ob- 
served in neurons coincident with neurasthenia, which have been above 
described^ favor the idea that there is not likely to be disordered func- 
tion without some physical basis, whether we are smart enough to dis- 
cover it or not. We find it difficult in all problems of life to draw hard 
and fast lines, and make definitions that will always stand. It is not 
easy in all cases to distinguish living from non-living matter, plant from 
animal, vital force from the other forces operating on or in matter, 
health from disease, or even life from death. The bounds of true func- 
tional disease are likely to be narrowed. We can easily see the changes 
in a lung destroyed by phthisis, and know that it is organic, while in 
asthma the lung-tissue may show no deviation from normal, however 
much the breathing may be interfered with, and, so far as the lungs are 
concerned, the disease may be entirely functional, but if we could find 
a way to see into the neurons in control of respiration, very likely we 
should find some change in the "operators," or in the wires by which 
they confer and send out their messages. This would apply as well to 
a large number of functional diseases of vital organs, by tracing the 
trouble first to the nerve-centres (neurons) that control their action, and 
then assuming some flaw in their relative neurons. 

Having shown how these neurons are subject to abnormal conditions, 
and how these may develop into the most serious forms of nervous dis- 
ease, the next business in hand is to show the relation between the dis- 
orders of the nervous system and the more common constitutional 
diseases and localized chronic ailments, but to do this it is now neces- 
sary to explain another important function of the nervous system, which 
up to this time has been purposely left almost out of sight, in order to 
bring it out in the strongest light when most needed. It may be well 
introduced with a little story. 

In a case before a coroner's jury of a man killed by accident, whom, 
for the sake of argument, we assume to have been a rare specimen, " in 
perfect health," a juror asked the coroner, a German doctor whom 
some folks regarded as somewhat eccentric, whether the organs had 
been, in the post-mortem examination, found to be in a healthy state. 



FUNCTIONAL OR ORGANIC DISEASE. 567 

The coroner replied : " No ! the man was dead/' and some who heard the 
story didn't know whether " the laugh was on" the coroner or the juror, 
but the coroner was, in fact, telling a great truth, and one which it is 
well to remember. Any organ, to be in a healthy state, must be operat- 
ing — alive. The body of the man, and all his parts, may have been 
without a flaw in structure or substance, if he were killed by a shock 
from a trolley- wire, but he was dead, and, without the spark of life, the 
organs, being f unctionless, were not healthy. Health implies life and 
action, as well as wholeness of parts, and if one organ be "all there," 
but not "up to duty," there is ill-health, disorder, and disease. The 
great function of the nervous system, aside from its relating us to the 
outer world — adapting us to our environment — is its business of admin- 
istering the affairs of the body itself in all its parts. It stimulates, 
regulates, controls, and harmonizes a great variety of processes which 
we call vital functions because vitally necessary to maintenance of life 
and health. If, because of any sleepy neurons, or break in the wires, 
this administration fails, there is lack of proper adjustment of the affairs 
of life, and proportionate illness. 
Though the brain is, as already said, the capitol and referee and main 
■p. 14r storage and distributing reservoir for the supply 

of nerve-energy, there are many sub-treasuries 
and minor administrative offices scattered through 
the chest and abdomen in what are called the 
ganglia (masses) of "the sympathetic nervous 
system," one of the largest being the "solar plex- 
us," situated at " the pit of the stomach," or where 

x a man may be easily "knocked out," if you hit 

Neuron from a gan- , . ., , , ,. „ T , . „ , .« 

glion of the sympa- him where he llYes ' \ U 1S wel1 shown m % ure 

thetic nervous system, 97, on page 381, and in the first colored plate, 

in its capsule, with its where the intimate relations of the sympathetic 

" processes » cut away. ganglia and the spina i cord are sllown in tbe white 

cords that join them, but the most direct connection between the brain 
and the vital nerve-centres is by means of two pneumogastric (chest- 
stomach) nerves, which afford not only a steady flow of energizing nerve- 
influence to the vital organs, but exert also a controlling or restraining 
action, as though holding the rein over them as well as the whip. 
Evidently this is a great business with "a beautiful system," but the 
story of its far-reaching influence is not yet half told. It has only been 
traced as far as the vital organs themselves, for controlling their opera- 
tions, even to the number of heart-beats per minute, but now we must 
follow the nerves along the routes of the blood-vessels in what is called 
"the vasomotor system." because they regulate the size of the blood- 
Is, and so the blood-supply of every part, but they go even farther, 




568 



CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 



Fig. 146. 



even to the elementary cell or fibre, to influence its nutrition as well as 
its operation. It is through some disturbance of this finely adjusted 
patent lever regulator of our watch- works that the face blushes or pales, 
the mouth becomes dry, or the eyes moist from emotion ; and when ex- 
treme shock occurs to headquarters, whether from physical or mental 
cause, it is through this endless chain of nerve-network that all blood- 
circulation and other business of the corporation may be brought to an 
end in fatal syncope. 

In tracing the nerve-influence down to this microscopically fine point 
— the ultimate elementary cell of every tissue — and finding even its nu- 
trition dependent upon the 
constant galvanic current of 
vital nervo-electricity, the 
way is made easy to under- 
stand how every failure of 
function or wasting of sub- 
stance from malnutrition 
may result from a fault in 
the administration and sup- 
ply office — the nervous sys- 
tem — and it will be a local or 
general disease according to 
the number of neurons that 
wilt and become inattentive 
to business. Other chapters 
of this book have traced 
heart, lung, dyspeptic and 
liver derangements to nerve- A CAgE 0F hemiatrophy, 

failure. Though written sev- r wasting of the tissues of one side of the 
eral years ago, they stand the face, from nervous disease, 
test of scientific study as well as professional experience; but since we 
have come to understand the greatness of the fact of the dependence for 
nutrition of every bodily cell upon its supply of nerve-stimulus, what 
wonder that there is a disposition to bring more and more all wasting 
diseases in the category of nervous diseases. 

This influence of the nervous system is called trophic, from a Greek 
root meaning to nurse or feed, and if the body- tissues cannot feed and 
reconstruct themselves from the blood so generously distributed within 
their reach, without being coaxed to do so by some nerve-influence, 
then that is well named trophic or mother-nurse influence. There are 
well-recognized nervous diseases in which some part becomes atrophied 
— starved out — because its neurons are fading, still fading. The best 
known cases, though fortunately not common, are seen in the "living 




SCROFULA. 569 

skeletons," which are cases of •• wasting palsy/' or " progressive mus- 
cular atrophy." In them the gradually wasting muscles indicate that a 
process of atrophy has begun in the neurons of the nerve-roots of the 
spinal column, hut this sort of wasting may be localized instead of gen- 
eral, and only affect one arm, or a small portion of the face in the domain 
of one nerve, and, knowing of such cases, the question naturally arises 
whether in every instance of wasting disease, even though, as in phthisis, 
there be an invasion of microbes to hurry along the "consumption" of 
tissue, the real cause may not be in a shortage of the trophic nerve- 
energy, which the cells need to enable them to keep well fed, and cap- 
able of warding off invaders. It is admitted that the Koch bacilli cannot 
take up their abode except in soil prepared for them, and now the ques- 
tion arises whether this acceptable soil means a particular (abnormal, 
of course) state of the blood, or a deficiency of trophic nerve-influence; 
and the probable fact is that it is generally both, since impoverished 
blood and deficient nerve-energy so often go together, constituting that 
preliminary stage of the disease in which a person is said to be "run- 
ning into consumption/' It is more often a slow drifting, with symp- 
toms of neurasthenia (showing that the neurons are getting weary of 
well-doing) and of scrofula, with the familiar train of symptoms usually 
attributed to bad blood. 

Scrofula. 

Having thus stumbled upon scrofula in this relation, let us see what 
there is to be said of it in this chapter. We have been accustomed to 
look upon it as essentially a blood disorder, and in earlier editions of 
this book it was attributed to a blood-poison whose effects were evident, 
even though the poison itself had not been discovered. The origin of 
the disease, not only by heredity, but by an unhealthy mode of life, was 
dwelt upon, such as *• residence in damp localities, habitually sleeping 
in chambers where the sunlight seldom penetrates, daily exposure to 
damp air. insufficient food, a pork diet, impure air, and personal 
uncleanliness — also impure vaccination — and finally, vitiated and dissi- 
pated habits, and all influences which have a tendency to depress the 
vital forces, may open the doors of the system to the devil's breath and 
inaugurate scrofula.'' 

Though we still know that such conditions of life render us easy vic- 
tims to malign influences from without, such as malaria, it is now 
known that a " depressed state of the vital forces" implies sick neurons, 
and leads to such derangement of vital functions that poisons are self- 
developed — right at home, in our own bodies — and the scrofulous poison, 
if not always, certainly is often of this kind. A late English writer (in 
Quain's Dictionary of Medicine) says the chief characteristics of scrofula 



570 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

"consist, structurally, in a defect in the blood, and functionally in 
languor. It is a special form of constitutional weakness, debility, or de- 
generacy of mankind, manifesting itself in two ways, in a defective 
power of resistance to external influences and a defective power of 
growth and development in some or all parts of the body. Whatever 
lessens health and strength tends to beget scrofula, and once produced 
it is highly hereditary," and so commonly congenital, meaning from 
birth. 

Scrofula, therefore, originates in self blood-poisoning, debility and 
mal-nutrition, and as we have found the trophic neurons to be in con- 
trol of all this important business, we trace the " languor " to them, 
and so find scrofula not out of place in a consideration of nervous 
diseases. Its hereditary transmission also goes to confirm this view. 

Dr. Benjamin Ward Kichardson, one of England's most fertile and 
popular medical writers, says that ' ' in cases of hereditary disease the 
impression which has been made on the affected person, and which is 
transmitted to the offspring, is inflicted primarily upon the nervous cen- 
tres. This view is contrary to the common belief which fixes the taint 
in the blood, and which is expressed in such every-day terms as ' bad 
blood, good blood, ancestral blood/ terms which are applied as freely to 
mental as to physical proclivities. The view which assigns the seat of 
the taint to the nervous matter (neurons) rather than to the circulating 

blood is most in accord with modern observation Moreover, we 

learned by direct experiment that physical nerve injuries inflicted on 
parents are transmitted to offspring. Epilepsy induced by nervous in- 
jury has been thus transmitted It is observable that the injuries 

to nervous matter which are capable of producing hereditary diseases 
must be inflicted either on a nervous centre or on a trunk of a nerve. 
Injuries inflicted on the extremities of nerves do not seem to be fol- 
lowed by changes transmissible by heredity It is not until the 

nutrition of a part directed by central nervous control is perverted by a central 
injury that the inherited mischief is established Whether some- 
thing material and active is passed on from one generation to another, 
or whether it is a purely physical impression or vibration which is trans- 
mitted, we cannot pretend to say." My preference is for the theory 
that normal nerve action (life itself) is a mode of motion (vibration), 
and that the several "taints" or hereditary diseases are abnormal modes 
of motion, resident in the neurons (central nervous matter), and trans- 
missible as unpleasant memories to offspring. The initial impulse thus 
implanted in the germ decides in the main how it shall grow, develop 
and act — in short, what kind of life it will live and how long. 

Dr. Richardson says the "view is now gaining ground that the scrofu- 
lous taint is a variety of the syphilitic." This book always maintained 



SCROFULA. 571 

their close relationship and their resemblance in physical effects. Pre- 
vious editions said: " Syphilis is own cousin of scrofula." The syph- 
ilitic taint is recognized as the most intense and far-reaching of any 
of the hereditary "diatheses," though syphilis in its more virulent or 
active form is acquired by direct innoculation ; bat however acquired, 
while it is liable to invade, mar or destroy every tissue or organ, the 
deepest impression is made on the nervous system, which fact is en- 
tirely consistent with its power of hereditary transmission even to the 
third and fourth generation. In the first generation, as in the victim 
of acquired syphilis, it may be responsible for epilepsy, chorea, loco- 
motor ataxy, paralysis, and an almost endless variety of degenerative 
changes in the bones, skin and mucous membranes ; but as its power 
wanes in further generations the results are symptoms such as are com- 
monly called "scrofulous," of which there are twenty or more. 

Among the more common symptoms of scrofula are enlarged glands, 
especially in the neck, catarrh of any mucous membrane, bronchitis, 
consumption, ulceration of the bowels, many varieties of skin eruptions, 
chronic abscesses, which, if they form in the bones of the spine, lead to 
Potts' Disease, humpback, rickets, hip-joint disease, tumors, notched 
teeth, hydrocephalus, ophthalmia, blindness, ulceration of the ears and 
deafness, and yet the whole truth is not told, and space cannot be 
spared for it. When children early display signs of a scrofulous tend- 
ency everything favorable to its relief should be religiously employed, 
for it is through neglect that we see the many sad deformities that re- 
sult from early caries (decay) of the bones, or the rickety soft state 
which leads to bow-legs. Rickets in children may be suspected when 
there is much tendency to diarrhoea, fever, thirst, perspiration, swelling 
of the knees, wrists and ankles and poor teeth. 

The early symptoms of Potts' disease (of the bones of the spine) are 
pain on motion of certain parts, with a disposition to keep the body 
fixed while stooping, and pain on pressure over some point of the spinal 
column, often noticeable soon after a fall, blow or wrench, and, though 
constitutional treatment must not be neglected, the first effort should be 
to give the inflamed part rest by means of a suitable apparatus for sup- 
port, which will permit the child to go out in the sunshine and air. Many 
cases of mere curvature of the spine imply no disease of the bones, but 
merely a bad habit of position in sitting, sleeping or working, and are 
better treated without apparatus than with, the patient being made to 
brace up and strengthen his or her own muscles by suitable exercises. 

While my views in regard to the nature of scrofula have advanced 
rather than changed, I see no occasion to modify what I have always 
advised and found satisfactory as to treatment — consisting in the main 
of all those hygienic means explained at length in the chapters relating 



572 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

to causes and prevention of chronic diseases, together with vegetable 
alterative medication selected according to temperament and symptoms 
with a view to eliminating the scrofulous poison, enriching the blood, 
and thus renourishing and revitalizing the neurons. It is said that 
charity will cover a multitude of sins, but it will not atone for them, 
and when the human body exhibits the effects of sins of omission and 
commission, the only effectual atonement is to sin no more, and apply 
all possible regenerative means that will restore the integrity of the 
neurons and their ability to evolve, store and distribute the vital 
forces. 

We have traced the possibilities of disease resulting from weak and 
weary neurons far enough already to see that when the nerve energies 
are debilitated, the vital functions sluggish or disordered and the blood 
impoverished or impure, the subject of such tendencies "has a right," 
as oUr Hibernian friend would say, to take on or run into almost any 
form of chronic disease, but which of them will develop, what part be 
chosen for the seat of the disease, or what " taint " become established 
as the habit and display its trade-marks on its "subject" will depend 
on various influences of which we know something but not all. Her- 
edity, temperament, habits, environment, and even accident will all 
help to decide whether the taint shall be mainly scrofulous, tuber- 
culous, syphilitic, gouty, cancerous or mixed. It may tend one way in 
one generation and another in the next, and be aggravated or mitigated 
by various combinations in marriage. 

Cancer. 

The last disease of uncertain origin to be claimed in the list of dis- 
eases of malnutrition through perverted nerve action is cancer, and the 
claim is plausible, as will be soon shown ; but first let it be said that 
cancer as yet appears to consist of nothing but the body's own cells 
gone wrong, and there is no proof of the presence of any parasitic or 
microbic invaders. As Prof. Virchow says : ' ' The cellular elements of 
a tumor are derived from the pre-existing cells of the body," which for 
some cause have reverted to a rudimentary or simple state of life and 
begun to increase and multiply regardless of other parts, as though 
their neuronic guardians had lost all control of them . It is a sort of war 
among our tissue elements, in which one kind proceeds to run wild at 
the expense of the rest. 

It has seemed very reasonable to suppose that such abnormal growth 
was stimulated by some impurity of the blood, and it has even been sug- 
gested that cancerous tumors were evolved as a new excretory organ to 
rid the system of some poisonous property ; but now there are many 
studious observers who believe that the various forms of tumors are 



CANCER, 



573 



but the results of some failure of the trophic nerves whose duty it is to 
regulate nutrition and cell growth; and this view is encouraged by the 
facts that cancer increases in frequency as age advances, and as vital 
power declines, that mental and nervous depression are predisposing 
causes ; and. finally, the fact that it is most prevalent and increasing in 
conditions of high-pressure civilization involving nerve-strain, tiredness 
and exhaustion. Senility of tissue predisposes to cancer, so that where 
causes of early death are reduced more enfeebled aging folks are left as 
probable victims for the cancerous mode of death. 

Cancers are hard or soft according to whether they are built up of 
fibrous or soft-cell tissue, and they differ, too, in rapidity of growth. 
The evil a cancer may do depends largely on where it is located, how 
early it can be discovered, and the possibility of eradicating it. All 
tumors are not cancers. Some are called '' benign/ 7 because compara- 
tively slow and harmless, as fatty tumors and wens, but true cancers are 
•' malignant. " rapid, ugly, and tend to reappear after removal. It is not 
always possible, even when a clipping from a tumor can be taken and 
examined microscopically, to say "for sure" whether it is benign or 
malignant, and so operative means (knife or plaster) get credit for 
curing more cancers than they really do ; but generally a microscopic 
examination will decide, and whatever the nature of the growth, if re- 
moval be possible, it is "good policy." Fig. 147. 
Whether knife or plaster shall be the 
method must be decided by the nature 
and location of the tumor, and some- 
times the subject may decide for him- 
self, there being little preference. The 
"painless" claim of the plaster plan is 
generally a delusion and a snare, and 
with anaesthetic surgery the cutting 
operation really causes far less suffering; 
but whatever local treatment be adopted 
it is most important to resort at once to 
constitutional measures that will fortify 
the tissues generally against the progress 
of this degenerative change, and hold 
the unruly members (cells that have re- 
volted) in subjection. They are prone 
to spread through the lymphatic chan- 
nela to glands in other parts of the body, 
it: id start other tumors of the same sort — branch offices. These tumors 
all enlarge by "cell infiltration." multiplication of cells in all directions. 
. in*- grows through a tree, until they exhaust their source of sup- 




A nest of cancer cells from the 
tumor in Gen. Grant's throat. 



574 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

plies by getting too far from blood vessels and then ulceration begins — 
a ' ' break-down " and sloughing. If permitted to go so far the blood 
itself becomes contaminated with absorbed poisons which stain the 
"complexion" all over to a peculiar yellow hue — the stage of cancerous 
cachexia. 

Syphilis. 

Another of the great constitutional diseases the nature of which yet 
baffles the most earnest investigations of students of disease is syphilis. 
Like cancer it may be said of it that as yet no true parasite has been 
found in the sores or secretions which in case of syphilis are so surely 
the means of communicating the disease from one to another. (It is 
not yet proven, however, that cancer can be transmitted in this man- 
ner.) As it was said of cancer, so it may be said of syphilis, that the 
changes produced in the diseased tissues seem to be such as may occur 
from simply a perverted or degraded action of the body's normal cells, 
as though they were operating wholly "on their own hook," without 
reference to the disturbance to other parts thus occasioned. Yet it 
may be said that they are stimulated to this diseased action by the 
presence of some microbe that has so far eluded the vision of micro- 
scopists ; and this is made probable by the similarity of syphilis in some 
features to the acute infectious fevers and in others to leprosy, an even 
more chronic form of infection, which is now generally regarded as of 
microbic origin; but leprosy, if "catching," is far less so than syphilis. 
Whatever the nature of the syphilitic virus, it is undoubtedly easily 
communicated wherever it comes in contact with an abraded surface. 

It is extremely fortunate that the virus is not erosive, that it cannot 
eat its way through the natural protective scaly covering of the skin 
and mucous membranes, for if it were able so to force itself upon us its 
devastation would be far greater than at present, since the disease is 
not only acquired through venereal (sexual) contact, and its infectious 
sores are not limited to the sexual organs. Even a chancre may occur 
upon the lip and be directly given to another lip, while a mucous patch 
inside the mouth secretes a matter which if left upon a cup, pipe or 
musical mouth instrument may be the means of starting a syphilitic 
sore on the lips or mouth of the next person who uses the infected 
article, if that person have an abrasion or crack on the lip. 

Specialists who have traced the origin of syphilis in thousands of 
cases estimate that twenty-five per cent, of the cases among men and 
fifty per cent, among women are acquired "innocently," and the great 
variety of unexpected ways in which this may occur is astonishing. 
The extreme prevalence of syphilis in Russia is attributed more to the 
uncleanly habits of the people in general than to sexual promiscuity, 



OPPOSITE PAGE 575 



PLATE VII. PLAIN HOME TALK. 



qvPWil ITIf* I PRIONS 



PRIMARY SORE. 




COPPER-COLOR » ROSEOLA. 



" ' M - 




RUPIA. 



SYPHILIS. 575 

and its medical men advise " vulgarization" of a knowledge of this sub- 
ject as the only means of counteracting the tremendous evils of igno- 
rance. 

No space need be given here to the history or origin of syphilis as a 
disease. It dates back of recorded history, and it would take much less 
space to name the nations, if any, which may have escaped it than of 
those which have long suffered. Races as well as individuals seem to 
acquire some immunity through experience. Those of Asia and Europe 
bear it far better than did the aborigines of Hawaii, among whom it was 
introduced by Capt. Cook's sailors one hundred years ago, with very 
fatal results and great reduction in population — much the same result 
as when measles is first disseminated among Pacific islanders who are 
unaccustomed to its presence. 

It is rather fruitless to speculate as to whether the disease may be 
generated anew under the conditions of recklessness, excess and all un- 
cleanness, where it is so generally distributed ; for the seeds of the dis- 
ease are so widely scattered in all the dens of harlotry that most new 
cases are easily traceable to some such source, while the multitude of 
roundabout routes by which its virus may be conveyed to innocent 
victims makes it fair to suppose in any case of doubtful origin that it 
has been picked up somehow, even though we cannot trace surely the 
manner of its invasion. 

Whether it be in the most innocent or most reckless manner, if the 
syphilitic virus find itself implanted upon a slightly abraded mucous 
membrane, or a crack in the skin of the finger or lip, it becomes the 
spark by which a slow fire is started that may never be quenched, for 
in some scrofulous and impaired constitutions (by gout or Bright's 
disease) the disease develops with a rapidity and severity that can be 
moderated but not controlled. It so happens that because of suscepti- 
bility its innocent victims often suffer more than its vicious ones. 
From the time that the impure contact occurs there is a period of from 
ten days to four weeks, called " the incubation period," during which 
the virus is taking root and hatching mischief unsuspected. Then ap- 
pears at the point of infection a red spot which becomes raised in a few 
days to a nodule or papule, which scales and softens on the surface 
until it ulcerates and secretes a thin liquid, which is more virus. 
Though this virus might provide material to innoculate a hundred more 
sores on other persons, it seldom starts another such sore on the same 
person. The base and edges are hard, so that it is called a "hard 
chancre." It is often painless, generally slow to heal, and may last- 
several months, generally about two months. What is called "the ini- 
tial sore" may be so slight as to be unnoticed — a mere dry, scaling 
patch, or, in persons of very low, reckless or filthy habits or ' ' depraved 



576 



CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 



constitution," it may become phagedenic or gangrenous, so that it may 
fail to be "characteristic" in being more slight or more malignant than 
usual. Within two weeks from the first "lesion" (the initial sore) 
the virus spreads through the lymphatics to the nearest glands, which 
become enlarged — perhaps in an effort to arrest it, and so ends the first 
stage, or "primary/ • 

The virus almost always pushes its way through the glandular system 
and reaches the blood (in about six weeks), and then the disease is 
called "secondary syphilis/' and becomes manifest in slow fever, 
malaise, headaches (sometimes terrific) and a rash of numerous mottled 
red spots on chest, abdomen or thighs, called roseola. The color fades 
on pressure. About the same time there may occur ulcers on the ton- 
sils, sore throat and mouth, and falling out of hair. The red spots 
gradually become raised to papules — small, tense, firm, with smooth 
and slightly scaly tops, of the color of raw ham, without much irrita- 
tion or itching about them. These are apt to come on the border of the 

scalp, on the limbs, palms and 
soles. Vesicles and pustules 
also may begin to appear, or 
there may be ' ' mixed eruption." 
Syphilis seems to have the 
power to develop any or all of 
the diseases of the skin, one at 
a time or mixed, but the pe- 
culiarities of its eruptions are 
their coppery color, absence of 
itching and symmetrical ap- 
pearance, occurring on both 
sides in the same places. Eupia 
is one of its results in case it 
lays deeper hold on the skin, 
when papules ulcerate and leave 
accumulating crusts. All the 
secretions in this stage, whether 
from skin sores or mouth, are 
dangerous to others, and should be handled with care and destroyed. 
Some of the pustules leave scars or stains that last a long while. 
Syphilitic warts, wide and flat, are apt to occur about moist surfaces. 
The blood may become so anaemic as to cause a general pallor, so im- 
pure as to cause rheumatic pain in muscles, bones and joints, or in- 
flammation of the eyes. Iritis, the most common, is an inflammation of 
the iris, the curtain that makes the pupil of the eyes. The syphilitic 
virus seems to have an affinity for all the tissues, and to excite in them 










GUMMY TUMORS. 



SYPHILIS. 577 

a low-grade destructive inflammation. It softens the bones, consumes 
cartilages, and leaves scars of its destructive devastation everywhere. 

After this active all-around course, during about one or two years of 
what is called the secondary stage, there may be a period of three to five 
years, or even twenty, of quiescent brooding — if it have not been effect- 
ually cleaned out of the system — and the symptoms which then follow 
are called "tertiary" — or the third stage. They are mainly due to de- 
velopment of large or small "gummy" tumors or nodules in the skin, 
where they may be seen or felt, or in the brain, nerves or vital organs, 
and the symptoms are varied according to size and location of these 
lumps. Whenever symptoms are peculiar or hard to account for a 
physician is apt to think of this ' ' specific n disease and inquire for its 
history. Tertiary lesions of the skin and mouth are likely to ulcerate 
and " act mean." At this stage the disease is no longer transmissible, 
by contact or heredity, according to the experts, but we should regard 
it a sorry fate for a child to be parented by such a case. Dr. George W. 
Fox no doubt expresses the present sentiment of the profession in say- 
ing "the old iron-bound division of syphilis into secondary and tertiary 
is being given up to-day, because some of the tertiary symptoms occur 
in the early course of the disease, while some of the so-called secondary 
lesions might appear fifteen or twenty years after infection." 

There yet remains a great difference of opinion among physicians as 
to the curability of syphilis and the propriety of advising marriage and 
parentage to those who have ever had the disease, even though no 
symptoms have appeared for many years. Some declare that "syphilis 
once, syphilis ever," must be the fate of any one who has it, while 
others write at length and quote numerous authorities to prove it may 
be mild, benign, curable, and even that the disease itself may "die a 
natural death" untreated, as in India, China and Brazil, where, though 
the disease is very prevalent, its treatment is generally neglected. Such 
differences of opinion among men equally capable are due to the long 
duration of the disease and the difficulty of keeping such cases and 
their descendants under observation until the health of their children 
and grandchildren can be fairly judged; and the other difficulty of 
knowing when the disease has exhibited its last symptom, and when it 
is simply latent or lying low, to appear again in the dim, distant future. 
Furthermore, it has been the custom of most doctors to rely on mer- 
curial treatment, in spite of the fact that many of them admit it can 
only subdue symptoms and cannot cure the disease, and one eminent 
English writer, who has practically nothing else to offer in way of treat- 
ment, says of it : "The drug has a better chance for producing its full- 
est beneficial effect when the patient is kept a little below his ordinary 
standard of health." In assisting nature to throw off every other dis- 



578 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

ease it is thought best to aid in working to maintain the highest pos- 
sible standard of health, and the success with which nature alone copes 
with syphilis in countries above noted, where physicians and mercury 
are not employed, tends to show that if mercury temporarily represses 
the symptoms it helps also to fix the disease in the system— to bind it 
down in a Eip Van Winkle nap, from which it may too often awaken 
and surprise its spouse after twenty years. 

In reference to treatment I have nothing to suggest to the unpro- 
fessional victim who wants to treat himself. It is far too serious a 
disease, both in immediate danger and ultimate possibilities of perma- 
nent injury of important parts, to permit of trifling or temporizing, and 
as soon as any one has occasion to suspect its presence he will be wise 
to seek the diagnosis and advice of a trustworthy physician, for if an 
eruption on the privates be not syphilis it may be a simple skin erup- 
tion that might occur anywhere else, or it might be another form of 
venereal ulcer called chancroid that is often more speedily destructive 
]ocally than is true chancre. The progress of the disease, especially in 
its secondary and later stages, is so slow, and its symptoms are generally 
so unmistakable to an expert, that I am able to advise concerning such 
cases by mail, without the necessity of a personal examination. The 
exhibition of local or surface eruptions on Plate X. of the color plates 
will enable the reader to get a good idea of how the most common ones 
appear, but it must also be remembered, as above remarked, that syph- 
ilis is a great imitator of many other skin lesions, and may be the 
cause back of a mere rash, an eczema or spreading ulcers of small or 
large extent. It is by the "history" of a case rather than by any one 
symptom, superficial or constitutional, that its syphilitic nature can be 
diagnosed. Those personally interested in further information should 
read the next chapter and page 911. 

Skin Diseases. 

Books on skin diseases describe over one hundred kinds, but fortu- 
nately for mankind many of the most interesting to the doctors are very 
rare, and only the most common need be mentioned here; but before 
even naming them the way for a clear understanding of them will be 
made easy by a very brief description of the anatomy of the skin and of 
the primary signs of its diseases. The skin is one of the organs of the 
body, spread out in a thin layer all over its surface instead of massed in 
one place like the liver. It is quite a complex organ, having many 
parts and several functions. It is generally described in layers, and, 
like an onion, may be dissected into few or many ; but the main ones 
are the deep "true skin," the papillary layer and the epidermis, the 
latter consisting of horny scales, which, under a mild magnifying glass, 



SKIN DISEASES. 



579 



Fig. 148. 



make our finest skin look as rough as a crocodile shoe. In and through 
these layers are found multitudes of sweat-glands, sebaceous glands and 
hair papillae. These parts indicate the several functions of the skin. 
The horny layer is for protection, the papillary layer to afford place for 
nerves of touch ; the sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance, to keep 
the skin soft and moist ; the sweat-glands excrete perspiration and aid in 
elimination and in cooling the body, and the thick, firm skin affords a 
basis tissue for these useful parts and for the blood-vessels that supply 
them. Diseased action may begin in 
only one of these skin elements, though 
other parts are apt to become more or 
less changed also, and thus is pro- 
duced the great variety of what are 
called skin ''lesions,'' meaning changes 
from the natural condition. It will 
simplify the study of skin diseases 
themselves if the main "lesions" are 
first described. They are the "ob- 
jective'' (that is, the visible) symp- 
toms. 

A mere excess of blood in some part 
of the skin produces redness — a rash — 
which may occur in spots, called 
macules, or. when diffused, erythema. 
[f the red spot becomes projected 4n a 
small, solid lump, it is a papule, or, if 
slightly prominent, with a broader 
base, it may be a wheal (as in hives). 
If a pin-head spot becomes elevated, 
with a watery fluid, or, if it be as large 
as a pea. a bid) ; but if the contents is 
more creamy it is a pustule; while, if 
deeper and larger still, it is a boil. 
Hard, deep, small lumps may be tuber - 
eUt, while larger ones are called tumors. 
An excessive production of the horny 
layer makes scales, and if hard with 
eracks they are fissures. A loss of 
horny layers makes an excoriation, which, if it goes deeper, causes an 
If excessive secretion dries and hardens on the surface crusts are 
formed. Scars and atrophy (wasting) are relics of skin disease, but s 
may be a symptom or a relic. 

The subjective symptoms are those which the patient feels, such as 




A magnified cross-cut of skin, 
showing: (1) Fibrous and muscular 
layer, (2)(3) Cuticle, or horny layer, 
(4) Pigments, or color layer, (5) 
Gland and vascular layer, (6) Pap- 
illary, or sensitive layer, (7) Sweat- 
gland, and (8)(9) its tube. 



580 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

itching, tingling, burning, pain, tenderness, heat and "formication" (as 
though insects were crawling on the skin), and such symptoms may be 
present without any visible evidence of skin lesion. There are still 
other symptoms, such as excess or lack of moisture (gland secretion), 
local perspiration, atrophy of the skin and falling out of hair, which 
may be present without other sign of local disease, but indicating some 
fault in the blood or nerve supply. 

Some writers have preferred to classify skin diseases according to 
their symptoms, but the most simple and useful classification in help- 
ing to an understanding of their nature and treatment is that based on 
causes. Owing to its large exposed surface, and being the part where 
we come in contact with all the outer world, the skin is subject to in- 
jury such as most of the internal organs escape, and if it become 
burned, chafed, bruised or inflamed, it is further aggravated by the 
invasion and irritation of parasites, always ready to pounce upon it and 
lend a hand in increasing its afflictions. There is a great variety of 
animal and vegetable parasites, from the ubiquitous microbes, to the 
penetrating itch-mite and the peripatetic louse. As to the microbes 
and some vegetable fungi, it is a debatable question whether they ever 
lay hold on a man's hide and begin a disease as first cause, but certain 
it is that there are plenty of them ready to revel in it if "the soil is 
prepared" by a letting down of general health, or if an opening be 
offered by local injury. In one skin disease due to "constitutional 
weakness," as many as eighty varieties of bacteria and fungi have been 
found in the scaly secretions — a rich field. It may be that there are 
some persons upon whom the itch-mite, the louse, the ringworm or bar- 
bers' itch fungi will not take hold, but there is no surety that a state of 
health offers invulnerability to them, any more than it would to pre- 
dacious wild beasts. 

Aside from hereditary birth-marks and the purely local results of in- 
jury and parasitic irritation, the causes of skin diseases are nervous or 
blood, or both. The champion blood disease — syphilis — has been called 
"the great imitator," because it has manifested itself in all forms of 
skin disease, and from this fact it is fair to conclude that all these vari- 
eties, when syphilis is not present, may be due to blood impurities of 
some other origin. 

In short, what one blood poison can surely do another may, and so we 
find some of the most common forms of skin disease accompanying 
those states of mal-nutrition and imperfect elimination which constitute 
what has long been known as the scrofulous state. This affords a 
foundation upon which to erect a great variety of skin eruptions, from 
lichen scrofulosum, a rash of pin-head papules in patches of various sizes, 
without much itching, to strumous ulcers, which spread slowly and ex- 



OPPOSITE PAGE 581 PLATE VIII. PLAIN HOME TALK. 





ROSACEA. 



HERPES. 







WW% 



PIMPLES -ACNE 
COMEDONES. 



SKIN DISEASES. 581 

hibit slight disposition to heal, or lupus vulgai*is, in which the bacilli of 
tuberculosis play an active part, taking advantage of the congenial soil 
which scrofula offers them. 

Urticaria— Hives. Plate IX. 

The irritating eruption which we early learn to call hives comes with 
an over-acid state of the blood, induced by some error in diet or indiges- 
tion, and is generally promptly relieved by a few doses of anv suitable 
alkaline medicine. Yet urticaria is put in the class of nervous diseases 
by a writer of a very recent and readable text-book on this subject — Mr. 
Malcolm Morris, of London, England. He seems indisposed to make 
any class of skin diseases due to blood derangements, and even writes of 
eczema without giving it any particular place in his arrangement of 
classification by causes, although admitting there must oe ' ' some con- 
stitutional peculiarity" as a basis, and that the state of gout or rheum- 
atism is "favorable to the continuance of the skin affection." 

This author is pleased to include urticaria in his list of nervous skin 
diseases, because he finds it the result of a "reflex vasomotor disturb- 
ance." In writing of nervous diseases it was explained how the size of 
blood-vessels and processes of nutrition are under the control of the 
vasomotor branches of the sympathetic nervous system, and how 
through any disturbance of normal action of one of these nerves dis- 
orders arise in the parts supplied by it. As the tissue-changes or nutri- 
tion of the cells which make up the skin as well as its blood-sup2)ly are 
under control of ' l trophic nerves, " the direct relation between nervous 
and skin diseases is easily understood; but the blood state cannot be 
safely overlooked, since it is often an impurity in the blood that irri- 
tates the nerves and through them brings about the disorder in the 
skin. There are some skin diseases apparently due to nerve disturbance 
alone, but it is better to recognize as due to blood impurity those which 
can be relieved mainly by the removal of that impurity. Yet there will 
be cases enough where both the nervous system and the blood are so 
evidently out of order that it would be an error to lay the blame on 
either one alone for a skin disease which could only be relieved by 
giving due attention to both blood and nerves. 

Rosacea. Plate VIII. 

A blush is a temporary reddening of the skin due to an emotion caus- 
ing a nervous failure to control the blood circulation through the vaso- 
motor nerves, and no blood disorder is a necessary factor. If through 
some more lasting disturbance of nerve-control the flushing becomes a 
permanent blush, the congestive redness, as of cheeks and nose, is 
called erythema or rosacea — rose-face would be a straighter name. The 



582 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

glands being over-stimulated secrete too much, and pimples arise until, 
after a time, "grog blossoms" develop. This may happen to persons 
not addicted to excessive use of liquors, but the fact that over-indulg- 
ence in alcoholics and chronic dyspepsia are cited as causes, shows that 
it is a skin disease in which the blood as well as the nerves must be 
looked after. Chilblains, dusky red or bluish patches, tender and 
itchy, occurring on hands and feet of scrofulous children and enfeebled 
elderly persons, are erythematous, and frost-bite is a further stage of the 
same process. 

Pruritus— Itching. 

Dr. Morris includes pruritus also among " neuroses," meaning that 
sort of itching which occurs "without any visible cause to account for 
it;" but farther on he says: "The causes of it are mostly constitu- 
tional — gout, rheumatism, jaundice and functional derangement of the 
liver; diabetes, Bright's disease, dyspepsia, uterine disease or preg- 
nancy. Many sufferers from pruritus are the subjects of lithaemia or 
oxaluria" (meaning a retention of acids which ought to be eliminated 
by the kidneys). Whether the-e held-in impurities titillate the super- 
ficial nerve-sense bulbs directly or indirectly, the disease is more in the 
blood than the nerves, and can only be relieved by cleansing the blood 
or paralyzing the sensitive nerves, and of course the first method is the 
rational and truly curative one. It is remarkable how serious this 
pruritus, without apparent skin disease, may be — enough at times to 
"drive one wild," as its victims say, especially on going to bed. It is 
generally quite extensive, skipping all over the body, but it may localize 
about the genitals or anus, and then seems to be aggravated by the 
neighboring excretions. Such troubles are often due to errors in diet, 
especially excessive use of coffee, and the way out of them is to clean 
house. 

Prurigo. — When the blood state is a little worse there may be some- 
thing to see as well as feel, and on the parts which itch intensely will 
be seen slightly raised papules, giving a nutmeg grater-like feel to the 
touch, often with blood crusts on them, if there has been much scratch- 
ing, and it is almost impossible to keep the hands off. It occurs in in- 
fants and adults. 

Herpes. Plate VIII. 

Herpes may be accepted as a skin disease of purely nervous origin, 
and there are many varieties, from slight to serious. Ordinary herpetic 
vesicles, about pin-head size, occur in clusters about the face, mouth 
and genitals, with a sense of heat, tension and some itching. They are 
apt to disappear in a week or two, and the cure is hastened by applica- 



OPPOSITE PAGE 583 PLATE IX. PLAIN HOME TALK. 





ECZEMA. 



ECZEMA. 




PSORIASIS. 



HIVES— URTICARIA. 



SKIN DISEASES. 583 

tion of spirits of camphor. On the genitals the eruption is apt to cause 
more irritation, and hence sooner attracts attention than real venereal 
sores, and as there may be enlarged glands in the groin at the same 
time the fear occasioned is not surprising. 

Herpes Zoster is an eruption of such vesicles in the region controlled 
by one particular (diseased) nerve branch on any part of the body. It 
lasts from two to four weeks, and may leave permanent scars and dis- 
figurement. This eruption, commonly called shingles, is apt to occur on 
the body, below the arms and above the hips, but only on one side. 
There may be a patch of it as large as a silver dollar, or a strip extend- 
ing almost halfway around the body. There may be no discomfort 
other than heat and stinging, but some cases are extremely painful. 
Soothing local applications and warmth are helpful, and my Magnetic 
Ointment has served well. 

Eczema— Salt Rheum. Plate IX. 

Eczema, commonly known as salt rheum, may be described as a typical 
example of skin disease due to blood humor, or to scrofulous, catarrhal. 
rheumatic or gouty states of the blood. ' * Catching cold n or getting a 
chill may produce an internal catarrh of the head, the lungs, or the 
bowels, muscular rheumatism, joint inflammation or eczema. What de- 
termines the location of diseased action, when the blood is thus suddenly 
thrown into a state of fever, is not known ; but it is evident from its 
relations as well as its appearance that an eczematous eruption is "a 
catarrhal inflammation of the skin, originating without visible external 
irritation. " and attended by serous discharge. Dr. Piffard says : "No 
form of external irritation is capable of exciting true eczema in a per- 
fectly healthy individual It is due to retention and accu- 
mulation in the blood of an undue amount of excrementitious substances 
which, under normal conditions, would be removed by the kidneys as 
fast as formed. " 

Eczema makes its appearance in various forms, and often mixed 
lesions, including erythema, papules, pustules, vesicles, scales, cracks 
and crusts. Its appearance depends on location, chance of local irrita 
tion, and other factors ; but essentially it is an inflammation, with red- 
ness, swelling, heat and discharge — a catarrh. The oozing moisture 
(serum) cakes, crusts, cracks, makes fissures, and when the scales 
come off there is left an angry, moist surface. Itching, heat and dis- 
comfort attend it more or less, according to the space involved, intensity 
of inflammation, and general state of the patient. A little may drive 
some folks wild, while in others a good deal may be borne with slight 
complaint. All parts of the skin are liable to it. but it is prone to 
attack as its favorite places the scalp, ears, palms, soles, surfaces about 



584 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

joints, and in women the breasts. The anus and genitals are places 
where a little of it will go a great way in making life seem not worth 
living. The skin becomes thick and tender, and cracking makes per- 
formance of the usual functions painful. It may take a turn occasionally 
and be substituted by dyspepsia, gout or asthma, and Brocq (of Paris) 
says that in children its rapid disappearance may be followed by danger- 
ous congestion of the lungs. It is not comfortable outside, but may do 
worse inside ; and hence the importance of always employing against it 
means for removal of causes as well as local palliatives or stimulants. 
Inasmuch as eczema appears as a symptom of many different blood de- 
rangements, and in both acute and chronic forms it is not possible even 
to outline a treatment suitable to all cases, in the choice of local applica- 
tions one will find comfort or relief in what is to another an unbearable 
irritant. Fresh water is a local irritant to most cases, and should be 
used as little as possible. A little salt added to water makes it less so, 
and salt-water bathing may be advantageous. Its secretions, cracks 
and crevices naturally offer an inviting field for parasitic, microbes, and 
their multiplication in such nests may easily make matters worse. 
Some eminent teachers have attributed all eczemas to parasites, but 
while this is claiming too much, some cases appear to be contagious, 
for Jamieson has found the arms of nurses to become affected from 
carrying babies with eczema about the nates, and it seems possible to 
auto-inoculate it or extend the diseased surface on one's own body by 
scratching, thus plowing up new susceptible soil and transplanting it. 

Other Scaly Skin Diseases. 

Eczema in its many forms stands at the head of the list of the eight- 
een more common skin diseases. Of the many thousand cases recorded 
by members of the American Dermatological Association during ten 
years eczema figured over thirty per cent., while even syphilitic skin 
eruptions only gave eleven per cent. ; acne, seven per cent. There are 
other inflammatory diseases of the skin of the scaly kind, and some- 
times of doubtful causation, but pretty surely not parasitic, which can- 
not be described here fully enough to enable anyone to make a diag- 
nosis. Indeed there are cases that puzzle experts for s, while to name 
them confidently. In Pityriasis there is an excessive exfoliation of 
flaky, bran-like scales, of dirty gray color. In Lichen there are solid, 
red, pin-head or pea size papules, with glazed, shiny or scaly top, oc- 
curring in groups, mainly on the limbs. Treatment, local and consti- 
tutional, is based on the same principles as in eczema. Psoriasis is a 
more common disease that may easily be mistaken for eczema ; but its 
scaly patches are more dry, sharply defined, and less encrusted. Its erup- 
tion varies in size from a pin-head lesion to a silver-dollar, and its 



SKIN DISEASES. 585 

scales are silvery white. This process of free coinage is often as per- 
sistent or irrepressible as the advocates of free silver. It occurs on the 
body and limbs and on the face only along the border of the scalp. It 
can often be quickly cleared off by pretty strong local applications; but 
of the milder sort tar in ointment or solution is one of the best ; and 
generally constitutional treatment is also called for. Seborrhea is a dis- 
ease common to the face and scalp, which is like, and perhaps allied to, 
eczema ; and yet different enough to deserve another name. It is due 
to excessive action of the sebaceous glands, which on the forehead or 
near the nose may only cause too much oiliness, or' on the scalp dry 
scales called dandimff, with falling out of hair ; but more commonly it 
produces greasy crusts, or large masses that mat the hairs together. 
There is less itching and inflammation than with eczema, but it is gen- 
erally more extensive. The crusts can be removed by shampooing, and 
the part treated locally by my Magnetic Ointment or a sulphur lotion, 
but to prevent recurrence it is generally found necessary also to attend 
to other symptoms of impairment of health, such as indigestion, 
anaemia, scrofula, or general debility. 

Overaction of the sweat glands, Hyperidrosis, also results from de- 
bility, and it may be general or troublesome only on hands and feet, 
or about the axilla or genitals, and occurring thus locally it may be 
malodorously offensive (bromidrosisV Astringent lotions, disinfecting 
soaps, dusting powders, and stimulating ointments, are of much service ; 
but a true cure is likely to require an improvement in the action of the 
other organs of elimination — liver, bowels, and kidneys — for the relief 
of the skin. 

Comedones, Blackheads, Worms^ 

in many conditions of ill-health the secretions of the sebaceous glands 
are liable to become too viscid and stick instead of flow, thus filling the 
glands with comedones or black-heads, which can be pinched, squeezed or 
pressed out in little plugs. These plugs, that some call " worms/' are 
condensed sebaceous matter, but in them may sometimes be found, by 
aid of a magnifying glass, a 
demodex parasite, with eight 
stubby legs and a long tail. 
As it is not always found in 

comedones, and may be found " " , .„ , , « . «**i^u- 

' . , ; , -, , Demodex, magnified two hundred tunes, 

in healthy follicles (not block- 
aded or black-headed) it is not considered causative. Squeezing out the 
blackheads, with as little hurting as may be, gets rid of them, but to 
prevent more coming the face should be steamed or washed with hot 
water and ichthyol soap, and my Magnetic Ointment applied to relieve 




586 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

irritation and stimulate healthy action. This ointment, being anti- 
parasitic and sedative (soothing), as well as slightly stimulating, is 
very useful in a large variety of skin diseases, and especially good for 
hair and scalp. 

Acne. Plate VIII. 

Acne vulgaris, the ordinary pimply eruption, is an inflammation of the 
sebaceous glands, causing papules or pustules scattered over the face, 
neck or body, mostly on young persons, and generally traceable to blood 
and nervous derangements, though here, too, parasitic microbes flourish, 
and Morris even includes it, somewhat apologetically, with boils, among 
inoculable affections. It is more common than eczema, but fails to 
so appear in the dermatological records because so many cases exist 
that the doctors are not asked to attend to. Some persons never bother 
with a face full of them, while others are greatly annoyed by even a 
few such spots on the complexion, and their common relation with 
sexual disorders in youth makes many very squeamish about them, and 
anxious to be relieved. Pimples are apt to break out anew in spite of 
all sorts of local treatment, unless the constitutional cause be attended 
to, and many are continually affected with them because they "will 
not bother with a course of treatment for only a few pimples." The 
local treatment for comedones must be rather more persistently em- 
ployed for pimples, but because of the pustules anti-parasitic soap is 
advisable in alternation with ichthyol soap for cleansing. The pustules 
may be punctured and evacuated before a hot water washing, but if 
done before they are ripe matters are made worse. 

Boils— Carbuncles. 

Boils are pimples of a larger growth, beginning in the sweat as well 
as sebaceous glands, and laying deeper hold on the skin. They frequent 
the buttocks as well as the face and neck, and one is apt to be followed 
by more. It often seems as though the pus from one might carry the 
seeds (microbes) to start others, but Morris admits "this does not take 
place as a rule unless the patient is in a bad state of health," such as 
anaemia, or retained impurities from defective kidney action. If the 
process goes still further and deeper, involving several glands, as it may 
in diabetics or persons of very impure blood, a carbuncle develops, which 
may lead to deep sloughing, septic poisoning and death. Even the 
mildest specimens are generally serious and painful enough to make the 
victim want a physician to look after it, but he will be shortsighted if 
after pulling through with one he does not take advice and treatment 
to help him out of the state that predisposes to them. 



SKIN DISEASES. 



Parasitic Skin Diseases. 



587 



Even though all persons may not be equally susceptible to annoyance 
by parasites, it is fair to classify as parasitic those skin diseases in 
which the parasite can be discovered, and where anti-parasitic treat- 
ment cures the patient by killing off the parasites. Various skin dis- 
eases have been found directly due to the irritation of either animal or 
vegetable parasites, and in the brief space to be allotted to their de- 
scription we may as well take up the worst first, omitting more than 
mere mention of bedbugs and other insects, which, though responsible 
for many a skin irritation, do not abide with us, or rather upon us. 

Scabies is a disease caused by the doings of the acarus scarabiei, and, 
though it is only the female that goes below the surface in burrows, she 
•• sticketh closer than a brother." She may bore half an inch under the 




BURROW OF AN ITCH-MITE, HER EGGS AND EMPTY SHELLS. 

horny layer (epidermis), leaving her fifty eggs behind her, and then die 
in her tracks, which, except in very uncleanly persons, may be seen. 
The skin naturally exhibits inflammatory lesions from so much irrita- 
tion, and the results may be mistaken for eczema or other disease, for 
there is great itching, which may add to and obscure the symptoms. 
The burrows are most commonly found between the fingers and toes, or 
on the wrists or breasts, and there is a vesicle where she went in. If 
one can be picked up on the point of a pin it is visible as • • a pearly 
object." though less precious than pearls. They '•catch on" from one 
person to another, or are acquired by sleeping in another fellow's bed or 
borrowing his clothes; but since they have been discovered, and hos- 
pitals abound, the "itch" is far less prevalent than of yore, for a free 
bath with soft soap and plenty of sulphur ointment will rout them if 
used diligently twice a week until the new generations are disposed of, 
but the clothing must be treated as well as the patient, by boiling or 
fumigating with sulphur. 




588 CONCLUDING ESSAYS ON DISEASE. 

Pediculi— Licet 

Pediculi, familiarly known as lice, being several times larger than 
itch-mites, perhaps need no description for some of my readers, if 
their memory carries them back to the time of mothers and fine-tooth 
combs. What most persons able to read are not aware of is the terrible 
state of disease that may occur to the heads of neglected children 
among the slovenly poor for lack of the mother's combing. Mere itch- 
ing is caused by the wounds made by the lice in feeding, but this, with 
scratching and filth, may lead to suppuration, scabs and a "terrible 
mess." Oleate of mercury (five per cent.) with 
equal parts of ether effectually kills them out, but 
nits glued to the hair will develop a new crop un- 
less removed by frequent washing with vinegar or 
a solution of soda and borax. Besides head lice 
there are two other kinds, one that prefers the 
body and another that enjoys the pubic hairs 
("crabs.") When there is much itching then a 

PEDICULUS PUBIS. , . . , , .„ ,, ,. ,, . ., , 

search is m order, and it the lice or their nits be 
found then "seeing is believing." The most effectual remedy is local 
use of tincture of staphisagria (which, since it is not everywhere to be 
found, may be obtained of the Sanitary Bureau Department). There 
are many other interesting animal parasites (to the naturalist), since 
"for ways that are dark" they are peculiar, but they are not common 
and troublesome enough to deserve particular mention here. 

Coming to the vegetable parasites or fungi that make a heaven of 
the home afforded by the human skin, we find several called tinea, not 
because they are so tiny that only a high power microscope can show 
their spores and filaments, but that fact may help to remind us of the 
name. Since man lives so largely on plants, it is perhaps to be expected 
that some forms of plant life should retaliate and make a moss-bank of 
him, but whatever * ' the economy of nature " may have to do with para- 
sitism, the fact is that many persons are physically as well as intellect- 
ually moss-backs ; while, on the other hand, it is far easier to clear away 
many of the spots on the skin than spots on character. 

Tinea Trichophytina— Ringworm. Plate X. 

Most of us as children have learned to recognize ringworm, but we 
haven't learned yet to call it by a better name— say ring-plant. We 
notice it in variable sized rings on the face and hands of children, or in 
the scalp. The centre is scaly and dull, while the margin is distinct, 
red and raised. On the scalp the hair becomes brittle, leaving a "field 
of stubble" amid grayish scales. In adults it invades the beard only 



OPPOSITE PAGE 



5 8 9 PLATE X. 



PLAIN HOME TALK. 




riNEA VERSICOLOR. 




SKIN DISEASES. 589 

(not the scalp), and is called barbers' itch, or tinea sycosis or barbce. 
There it develops lumpiness or nodules and pustules, each one in a hair- 
follicle, destroying the hair. By careful examination of bits of hair or 
softened crusts under the microscope a vegetable fungus can be found. 
It is contagious from child to child, or from dogs and horses that have 
it, and through combs, brushes and shaving materials. Such infected 
articles may remain dangerous for two years unless thoroughly cleansed 
with ammonia solution. 

Ring-plant of the non-hairy surface is easily cured by any of many 
parasiticides — kerosene, iodine, sulphur, mercury, carbolic acid, salicylic 
acid or chrysarobin (see Appendix) ; but when on the scalp it may in- 
volve a year's hard fighting, for the fungus is deeply rooted in and 
about the hair-follicles, where it is difficult to reach them with killing 
agents, and such cases had better be put in a doctor's care. It is gener- 
ally necessary to pull out every hair in the diseased area and a few 
around it, in order to get the lotions into the hair-follicles where the 
fungus has penetrated. In the beard, too, it is a "stayer," and may 
leave permanent scars and bald spots, if not properly weeded out. Its 
growth is favored by warmth and moisture, and it is well not to wash 
affected spots with water alone. 

Tinea Versicolor— Pityriasis. Plate X. 

Thiea versicolor is another fungus that spreads on the skin, and may 
occur over large areas of the trunk, causing a yellowish brown or 
•'fawn"-colored stain, with slight itchiness, increased by getting over- 
warm. It extends slowly, does no harm, prefers adults and men, and 
is contagious; but there seems to be some state of the system which 
makes it easy for it to take root and hold on. Morris claims that 
"neither good health nor absolute cleanliness is a sure protection/' 
but my experience is that "alterative" treatment aids to prevent new 
crops when there is great tendency to their development. Thorough 
washing with soft soap and water, rubbing with a flesh brush, and the 
application of a solution of hyposulphite of soda (one dram to make one 
ounce), is the '"regular" treatment; but I have found my "Magnetic 
Ointment" to be a very effective antidote to this growth. In smaller 
areas some call this stain "liver spots," a name more appropriate for 
other discolorations really due to torpid liver and constipation. 

Facial Blemishes. 

Facial blemishes cause more worry to most people than some diseases 
would, but space cannot be spared here for any due consideration of 
this subject. The reader is referred to page 914 for a few practical 
remarks concerning them. 




CHAPTER XIII. 

TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 

1ST this chapter of practical matter, will be thrown to- 
gether, without any waste of labor in classification, 
suggestions of such importance to the invalid reader, 
that it is hoped every sentence will be perused with 
care and reflection. There are many truths, medical 
i and moral, which the mists of ignorance, or popular prej u- 
dice, partly or wholly, shut out from the mental vision, and, 
inasmuch as the great mass of people know more of every 
thing else than they do of that which pertains to the laws 
of physical and spiritual health and life, and to a rational 
art of healing, it is not surprising that many dose themselves to 
death with their own uncertain concoctions ; that thousands become 
the dupes of wicked charlatans; that tens of thousands allow them- 
selves to become sewers for patent nostrums ; and that millions are 
the patrons of a so-called scientific school of medicine, which cures (?) 
the sick by making them life-long cripples. I trust that a candid 
perusal of this chapter will serve to dispel these mists, or what might 
be properly called medical and moral fogs, for no harm can possibly 
result from an effort to impress upon the public mind the necessity 
of doing for the invalid the best that can bo done at the very outset, 
instead of experimenting from week to week, and month to month, 
with something or somebody which or whom it is thought "will 
do," until the disease-burdened body nearly sinks into the grave 
embalmed with a thousand drugs. 

With this brief prologue I will pass to the presentation of matter 
appropriate for this chapter. 



EVERYBODY HIS OWN DOCTOR. 591 

Everybody His Own Doctor. 

This is an attractive motto which graces the title-page, or gleams 
from the preface of many a medical work gotten up for the patron- 
age of a too credulous public. It would be no less pleasing to the 
author than to the reader if, in this volume, instructions could be 
given, which would enable every invalid who peruses its pages, to 
treat his or her own case without the aid of a physician. Such a 
task, notwithstanding the assumptions of many to the contrary, would 
be simply impossible, as every one of genuine good sense must per- 
ceive. So much depends upon the constitution or the temperament 
of the sick man or woman (see page ] 56), only one who makes these 
idiosyncrasies his constant study, is capable of prescribing success- 
fully, especially in the thousands of cases in which there is a variety 
of blendings or mixtures of temperaments. 

If my system of practice were at all similar* to that of physicians 
who make calomel or some other drug a favorite remedy for every 
disease, with only an occasional deviation, the task of instructing 
non-professional readers in the healing art — if art, in that case, it 
could be called — would not only be possible but easy ; or if my system 
was like that of medical men who have a specific for every ill, and 
who would treat a dozen patients afflicted with one kind of disease 
in precisely the same way, then would it be but a pleasant pastime to 
sit down and instruct the world's sufferers just how to doctor them- 
selves. But the attentive reader cannot have failed to perceive that 
I entirely disapprove of treating the sick on this " hit or miss*' prin- 
ciple, and insist on the necessity of prescribing, not only for disease, 
but for constitutions or temperaments. Xever, yet, has there been 
written for popular use. medical books in which prescriptions or 
recipes were given for the ostensible purpose of enabling the sick to 
treat their own diseases, that did not prove failures, and in a majority 
of cases, worse than failures, for the reason that they lead people re- 
quiring the best of medical skill and experience, to tamper with them- 
es till their diseases became incurable, or to employ active reme- 
the nature of which they did not fully understand) when the 
complications contra-indicated their employment. 

The chief aims of the author in placing this work before the public, 
are to give publicity to a volume of original ideas which he believes 
will be of advantage to the world j to exhibit to the reader the causes 



592 



TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 



of disease and social unhappiness, in order that the rocks and shoals 
which lie hidden in the turbid sea of ]ife may be avoided ; to impart 
to those possessing ordinary intuition, the ability to judge wisely of 
the merits of the various systems of therapeutics in vogue, and to put 
all on their guard against — not only the unjust prejudices and old 
fogyism of the "regular practitioner," but the impositions of the em- 
piric. If I were writing this book for the exclusive use and benefit 
of. the medical profession, it would be necessary to make it volumi- 
nous, expensive, and not a little obscure to the non-professional 
reader, for lengthy details in regard to the treatment of every case, 
with its many possible peculiarities and complications would have to 
be scrupulously given, the comprehension and appreciation of 
which would require the possession, on the part of the reader, of ex- 
tensive pathological knowledge. I may yet make such a contribution 
to medical literature, but I doubt my ability to produce a work of 
this description, which would enable readers of little or no medical 
attainments, to act as their own physicians. Doctors will continue 
to be " necessary evils" till mankind for several generations, shall 
have strictly obeyed the laws of life and health ; or, in other words, 
until disease shall have become an annoyer and destroyer of only 
those who have passed temperately through the spring and summer 
of life, and entered the closing winter of their earthly career ; or, 
on the other hand, they will have to be endured until physiology, 
pathology, materia-medica, hygiene, and surgery become household 
sciences, taught, not only in all institutions of learning, but in the 
nursery and family; and then, as " practice makes perfect" in every 
art, profession, or trade, an invalid laboring under any difficult dis- 
ease, would rather intrust his case in the hands of one whose sole la- 
bors are devoted to the relief of the sick, than in the hands of an 
artist, a lawyer, a parson, a merchant, a mechanic, or a farmer, 
however devoted a student he may have been in matters pertaining 
to the healing art. If a man possesses the necessary attainments and 
natural gifts to practise medicine successfully, every day's experi- 
ence adds to his skill ; every case upon which he attends, the better 
prepares him for successfully managing the next, and while his suc- 
cess extends his practice, his practice, in turn, augments his skill. 
"Everyman to his trade," is an old adage, and in no sphere of 
life does it apply with greater force than to the physician. 

None but those who are engaged in the practice of medicine with 



EVERYBODY HIS OWX DOCTOR. 593 

eyes and ears open, can realize how complicated are nearly all cases 
of chronic disease. Seldom is a single organ or function involved ; 
several affections usually co-exist, each of which aggravates the other, 
and any one remedy, which is favorable to the cure of one, often- 
times gives disturbance to the rest. In no such case can a single 
prescription affect, favorably, these combinations ; nor can directions 
be laid down in a popular work, which will enable the invalid reader 
to go understanding] y at work to concoct a set of prescriptions 
adapted to his particular case. But suppose such a plan practicable, 
then the adulterations practised in drugs and medicines, would put 
to hazard the reputation of a popular author (see page 194). 

In this connection I may make a quotation which bears directly 
on the point last referred to in the preceding paragraph. "While 
reading the proof sheets of the foregoing matter my attention is 
called to an article in one of our most influential city papers. The 
editor has been reading an expose of the extent to which drugs are 
adulterated, in ''The Journal of Applied Chemistry,'' published in 
Xew York, and, after presenting some startling facts, proceeds to 
comment as follows: '•Hence the physician either increases the 
doses or condemns the drug entirely ; or, should he fix upon the 
amount required by his experience in the use of such an article, and 
afterward obtain that which is pure, he will find his patient ex- 
hibit the symptoms of being poisoned, ^or is the adulteration 
limited to a few unprincipled dealers here and there through the 
country, but it is so general that the leading importers of drugs are 
aware of it; nor do they deny it, although it might be supposed that 
their interest lies in the concealment." 

"In discussing the remedy,'' remarks the same editor, "it is said 
that too great reliance is placed on the manufacturer ; for the 
apothecary seldom applies the proper tests to his purchases. TTe 
are informed, also, that it is :io uncommon practice for clerks to put 
up a different drug from that named in a prescription, both to avoid 
the trouble of getting it elsewhere and to be sure of making a sale, 
and, in calculating the chances of escaping detection, they rely 
mainly upon the ignorance of the patient and the inattention of the 
physician. As an effectual remedy for these crimes and stupidities, 
our authority proposes that honest drug inspectors shall be ap- 
pointed alike for large and small places ; it shall be their duty to 
examine every invoice cf drugs purchased by the retail dealer, and 



594 TREATMENT 0¥ DISEASE. 

also to do all in their power to prevent the druggist from c sophisti- 
cating such drugs, or in any way defrauding his patrons.' In addi- 
tion, what are called patent medicines should be sold with a state- 
ment of the articles of which they are composed, by which means 
it is thought that dishonest quacks will become obsolete ; when the 
motto with regard to their preparations, ' Open your mouth and 
shut your eyes' will cease to have application. But the inspectors 
should critically examine all of this class of medicines ; for it is 
charged that the proprietors are in the habit of buying damaged 
drugs, worthless for any other purpose, and they also use bad wines 
and alcoholic liquors in the preparation of 'invigorating bitters,' 
4 health cordials,' and the like. It is proposed also to forbid those 
who refine aloes to sell the dregs to brewers; nor may the manu- 
lecturers of quinine and morphine sell their exhausted bark and 
opium to druggists, for, we are told, ' they will invariably dry and 
pulverize these articles, and use them for the adulteration of genu- 
ine drugs.' As to wines and liquors, none must be allowed to be 
sold for medical purposes unless they have the stamp of approval 
of the inspectors." 

" It must be confessed,' 1 continues the same writer, '' that this is 
an alarming exhibit to such as take medicine and beer. But it 
does not seem likely that the proposed examination will effect the 
desired object, since it will be easy for any druggist to keep on 
hand samples for inspection other than such as will be sold. If 
we look deeper and further, it will be seen that the trouble arises 
from an adulteration of quite another kind, and, in our opinion, 
no remedy can be found until one is applied to this. "We refer to 
the adulteration of human nature ; for this is a necessary pre- 
liminary, not only to the adulteration of drags but of food, and of 
every commodity from which money by this practice can be made, 
In the same journal from which wo have quoted, a certain firm ad^ 
vertises with large heading, c Pure "White Lead, 7 and they add, in a 
sort of postscript, that they also manufacture a special article equal 
to that produced by any other establishment. The inevitable ten- 
dency of this wide-spread debasement is to destroy the moral sen- 
timent in man ; and there seems no hope of reformation until fraud 
and rascality pervade society to such an extent that the social 
structure breaks down with the weight of its iniquity, when the 
world will begin again." 



EVERYBODY HIS OWX DOCTOR. 595 

The foregoing, from a disinterested source, presents a stronger 
inducement than the author can modestly offer, to induce invalids 
to employ only those physicians who prepare the remedies they dis- 
pense ; and who, by so doing, have opportunities of judging cor- 
rectly of the therapeutic value of the medicines they propose to 
administer. Self-interest and reputation, if no nobler motive, in- 
evitably prompts physicians of this class to labor diligently to avoid 
the evils of adulteration. Here there is no divided responsibility. 
The failure of a prescription cannot be laid to the incapacity, dis- 
honesty, or carelessness of the druggist. 

In the first edition of this work, I proposed to furnish written pre- 
scriptions on the reception of a full description of a case, but I soon 
found myself compelled to abolish this plan, for, notwithstanding my 
almost uniform success in the treatment of cases wherein I prepared 
and supplied medicines myself, those to whom I furnished written 
prescriptions did poorly indeed. This was chiefly owing to the fact 
that drug and botanic stores, almost everywhere, are more or less 
stocked with stale and adulterated herbs and roots, which are worth- 
less, in consequence of having been kept too long, or mixed with in- 
ferior species ; or with those which had been gathered at the wrong 
season of the year, before their medicinal properties had matured, 
or after the changes of the season had destroyed them. Many per- 
sons whom I have employed at the proper seasons of the year to 
collect such things as I need in my laboratory, have made it their 
business out of season to gather for the market. Furnishing pre- 
scriptions, however, was more practicable at that time than now, for 
the reason that many of my processes of preparing medicines are 
entirely changed. Some of the processes are original, so much so 
that the apothecary could not well prepare the remedies if the pre- 
scriptions were given. Aside from these considerations many cases 
require electricity in some form. 

Inasmuch as many who read the common-sense theories advanced 
in this book, will desire to avail themselves of the system of treat- 
ment they naturally suggest, I will say that if invalids at home or 
abroad (see Questions to Invalids) will give me the opportunity ot 
doing for them as each individual case seems to require, I can treat 
such as I may be willing to undertake with confidence of success. 
Invalids under my treatment are not restricted in diet or exercise ; 
and those who are able to pursue their business, can do so without 



596 TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 

any interruption from the effects of the medicines, which will onlf 
the better enable them to follow successfully their vocations. This, 
to the business man, is an important consideration. Such being the 
debilitating effects of most things bearing the name of medicine, it is 
not singular that those who have a business or profession requiring 
their personal supervision, feel that they must live and suffer on till 
death ends their infirmities, rather than adopt any system of medi- 
cation. My mode of treatment does away with this objection, for 1 
do not " tear down to build up," nor are the medicines I administer 
usually unpleasant to the taste. I give nutritious instead of drua 
treatment. 

Dietetics. 

With regard to dietetics, I should perhaps remark that I do not 
mean by any thing said in the closing portion of the foregoing essay 
that invalids can always eatjustwhata vitiated appetite may callfo't 
without injurious consequences. There are many kinds of food whicu 
only the strongest stomachs can digest, and these, it is palpJre 
to every mind, should be avoided by the invalid whether the diges- 
tive organs are impaired or not. But it would hardly seem necessary 
for a physician to advise an invalid to abstain from warm bread, 
mince-pies, rich pastries of every kind, pork, cucumbers, boiled cab- 
bage, and such edibles as are doubtfully wholesome for healthy per- 
sons. My injunction to the sick is — eat only such food as seems to agree 
with you, and that which distresses you, avoid. Perhaps some dys- 
peptic will say: " Why, Doctor, all kinds of food distress me." To 
such I would reply, you know something of the digestible qualities 
of the food set before you, and from it you must select that which is 
the most nutritious, and inflicts on your stomach the least disturb- 
ance. This is a good rule to observe, and may beneficially take the 
place of those starve-to-death dietetic prescriptions so often given by 
physicians of Grahamite proclivities. The system tottering unde* 
the burden of chronic disorders, much more than the healthy body, 
needs nutrition, and nothing can be more foolish than to weaken tha 
healing powers of nature by the adoption of a system of starvation. 

Clear Conscience Better than a Petted Stomach. 

It seems to me that those physicians who direct so particularly in 
regard to the taking care of the stomach, w T ould do a better thing 
if they would take the same amount of pains to impress on those un~ 



CLEAR CONSCIENCE BETTER THAN A PETTED STOMACH. 597 

der their treatment the necessity of keeping the conscience clear. 
An overloaded stomach will not half so much depress the physical 
health as a sin-loaded conscience. I have already spoken in various 
portions of this hook, of the influence of the mind on the body, and 
it may be set down as an absolute fact, that if a sick man or woman 
is daily doing things which he or she believes to be wrong, the re- 
grets which follow cannot fail to seriously aggravate whatever phys- 
ical trouble may exist, while cheerfulness, or, at least, an undisturb- 
ed mind, greatly aids medicaments in effecting cures. If we may 
''laugh and grow fat,'' it is reasonable to suppose that by being at 
peace with ourselves, we may with proper remedies to assist nature, 
"find relief from bodily infirmities, if curable at all. 

I may be asked, t; What do you mean by a sin-loaded conscience ?" 
I answer, a conscience harassed by the commission of acts which you 
believe or know to be wrong. I do not intend, in this place or in 
any other, to don the robe of the theologian. I am a physiologist 
and physician, very little acquainted with theology. This volume 
will undoubtedly fall into the hands of Protestants, Catholics, Swe- 
denborgians, Jews, Mormons, Deists, Atheists, Pantheists, and it may 
possibly be read by Mohammedans, S'imonians, Supralapsarians, and 
may not impossibly find readers among the Jumpers, Shippers, 
Diggers, and others of the more eccentric class of religionists. 
Hence it would be useless to require my patients to conform to any 
particular standard of morals or creed in religion ; but I can, with- 
out questioning the correctness of any one's religious opinions, insist 
on their living up fully to their highest conceptions of right; to 
their living at peace with themselves and the inward monitor. 
Though an act may not, in itself, be wrong, it should not be commit- 
ted by one who thinks it wrong, for not only does unhappiness follow 
in the wake of such conduct, but the effect on the moral sense is pre- 
cisely as bad as if it were an actual wrong, and it opens the way for 
the perpetration of the latter. In other words, persons may become 
heedless of the dictates of conscience by doing what they think they 
ought not to do, and in the end, actual as well as supposed sins are 
committed, while in either case remorse usually succeeds, and depresses 
the physical energies no less than the spiritual complacency. It is 
therefore properly within the province of a physician to insist on 
correct moral deportment on the part of the patient, as well as to 
direct in regard to diet, doses, etc. 



598 TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 

I am often told by invalids consulting me, that they are distressed 
with doubts on religious subjects. Now, there is no good reason 
why any person should keep his mind in painful commotion because 
he cannot square his faith and belief with that of his neighbor. So" 
long as people's brains differ in shape and size, so long will it be dif- 
ficult for them to think alike, and no one should allow himself to be- 
come distressed because he eannot put on his neighbor's opinions any 
more than he should weep because he cannot put on his neighbor's 
hat, coat, and boots. To all such I say, live true to yourselves and 
the light you possess. Do just as you think you ought to do. Cul- 
tivate your understanding and your conscience, and be guided by 
both. If at any time you doubt the correctness of any opinion or 
creed you have long cherished, investigate cheerfully and carefully, 
and if a Christian — prayerfully, but not painfully and impatiently ; 
then leave the result with a merciful Providence. 

It is really more important that the mind of a patient should be 
free from distress than that the stomach should be free from the pres- 
ence of unwholesome food. A sin-loaded conscience has brought 
many a stalwart man upon a sick-bed, and it is useless to try to con- 
ceal the fact that it preys heavily on the remaining energies of the 
sick. I have thought proper, in another part of this volume, to pre- 
sent an essay on " Violating the Moral Nature," for the purpose of 
showing the effects of outrages of the moral sense on the nervous 
and vascular systems, for as the inner suffers with the outer man by 
the violation of physical laws, so does the outer suffer with the inner 
man by the violation of moral laws. 

With this view of the matter, I would say to my patients, be just 
as particular in not overloading or offending your conscience as in 
not overloading or offending your stomachs. I cannot tell you just 
what you can or must believe; neither can I tell you just what you 
can or must eat. I can confidently assure you that you must not lie, 
cheat, steal, nor murder; that you should not eat pork, warm bread, 
rich pastries, nor shingle nails; but there are thousands of practices 
which you mayor may not pursue, according to the condition of 
your consciences and stomachs that may or may not inflict physical 
pain. As your physician — not your parson — I advise you to do 
nothing you believe to be wrong ; eat nothing which seems to distress 
you. So far as a life of honesty is concerned, I would advise no one 
to live so, merely because honesty is the best policy. 



WARRANTING CURES. 599 



Warranting Cures. 

The question is often asked me : "Will you warrant a cure ?" In 
order that those who read these pages may understand my position 
on this point without interrogating me, I reply to this question em- 
phatically no. Invalids must remember that they have as much to 
do, and often more, in effecting cures in their cases, than the 
physician. Medicine must be used with regularity, and general 
directions strictly observed to insure success, and it is not reason- 
able, therefore, to ask the physician to shoulder the whole responsi- 
bility. However skillful a physician may be, however adapted his 
medicines to any particular case, however wise his hygienic ad- 
vice, unless the patient does his or her part faithfully, treatment 
never so appropriate, never so skillful, may prove abortive. As 
well might a man carrying one end of a stick of timber ask his 
companion at the other end if ho would warrant the stick not to 
drop. The latter would doubtless reply : " I can only speak for my 
end." 

Those who aro disposed to employ me may rest assured of one 
thing, viz. : that I shall not hazard my reputation, gained at the ex- 
pense of close application and years of toil, by giving any unwar- 
rantable encouragement or uncandid diagnosis. The course I have 
pursued has been strictly in accordance with this principle, and I 
shall not, under any circumstances, in the future pursue any other. 
I may not, in all cases, be as successful as I at first expect, but I 
will guarantee that I will cure as large a percentage of my patients 
after they have been given up by old- school practitioners, as the 
most successful of allopathic doctors do in treating cases first pre- 
sented to them, many of which are neither difficult nor complicated. 
Nearly all becoming my patients have been under the treatment of 
five to twenty different physicians before employing my services, 
and I now invite the most obstinate and intractable cases to con- 
sult me, for it is my ambition to rescue the most hopeless cases from 
the grasp of disease. Ordinary cases can be cured by ordinary 
remedies. Every town must have its physician ; as before remarked, 
they are "necessary evils," and I will not utter a word to their dis- 
paragement, if they do not poison their patients with pernicious 
drugs and mineral preparations. I only invite the consultations of 
those who have failed to find relief under their treatment. 



600 TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 

To Consultants. 

Those at a distance, who wish to avail themselves of my services 
need not hesitate because of their inability to visit me. I have 
treated, successfully, patients in all the States and settled Ter- 
ritories, and in all the civilized countries of the world. Send 
answers to the following questions, and I can judge correctly of 
your diseases and temperaments. Those who prefer to indemnify 
me for my time and trouble in examining their cases, can inclose a 
fee of one dollar, and those who do not, need simply inclose a 
letter-stamp with which to reply. 

Answers to the following questions will enable me to judge 
nearly, if not quite, as correctly of the nature and extent of a dis- 
ease as a personal examination. Many of the questions pertaining 
to complexion, height, weight, measure, etc., may appear, at first 
sight, trifling, but they are of first importance, because on answers 
to these I must depend in forming my opinion of the temperament 
of one whom I am not permitted to see ; therefore, no one should 
pass over them in describing his or her case. When perfectly con- 
venient to do so, in addition to the answers to the questions, a 
daguerrotype, ambrotype, or photograph might be sent with the 
letter. Many invalids at a distance pursue this plan in consulting 
me, and, although it is by no means important, something may oc- 
casionally be gained by the patient so doing. All may safely con- 
fide in the Doctor in describing fully and frankly a case, or giving 
the result of treatment. I am daily in receipt of letters from pa- 
tients giving the most gratifying accounts of the effects experi- 
enced in pursuing my advice, and which, if published, would 
greatly redound to my credit, but I never publish any letter or 
parts of letters, with the name of the author, unless his or her con- 
sent has been expressly given, and even then, but seldom, as the 
good results of my practice are quite too well known to need any 
evidence of this kind. In previous editions of this work about a 
dozen pages were given to the publication of extracts from letters 
from about one hundred cases of chronic disease of all sorts, in evi- 
dence of their curability under the author's system of practice, but 
in revising the book it was thought best to devote these pages to 
the new matter which has been presented in Chapter XII., and to 
refer those who may have any interest in such testimonials to the 
' ' Free Book of Eighty Pages, or Evidences of Success " — a large 
pamphlet, which is mailed free to any address by the publishers. 



LIST OF QUESTIONS. 601 

List of Questions. 

In answering, correspondents need not say they are not troubled with this, 
that, or the other difficulty, but mention only the symptoms they have, as they 
look over the questions one by one. Correspondents are also requested not to 
simply say Yes or No, after putting down the figures before each set of ques- 
tions, but state the symptoms fully. Write plainly, and with ink, if possible. 

What is your name? What is the name of your post-office? 
County? What State? To what office should express packages be 
sent ? By what express company ? Have you previously written 
regarding your health? If so, when? Have you the book, en- 
titled, i; Evidences of Dr. Foote's Success ?" 1st. What 

is the color of your hair? Eyes? What your complexion? Age? 

Height? Weight? Ever weighed more? 2d. Is your 

skin soft and moist, or rough and dry? Is it sallow? 

3d. Parents living? If so, at what age? If dead, of what did they 
die? Any hereditary disease in your family? Any disease com- 
mon in it? 4th. Are you affected with melancholy, or 

the ''blues?" Any trouble of the mind? If so, what causes it? 
Have you ever had fits or spasmodic difficulties? Have you ever 
been badly frightened? What is your occupation? Ever over- 
taxed your mind with study or business? Are you troubled with 
loss of memory? Do you sleep well? Any disagreeable or amorous 
dreams? If wakeful, at what time of night? Are you drowsy 

during the day? 5th. Have you any deformity, by birth 

or accident? Ever been injured by an accident? Any pimples, 
salt-rheum, ulcers, boils, cancer, or eruptions? Been vaccinated? 
Did it produce any unusual soreness? Ever been poisoned inter- 
nally or externally? Ever taken mercurial medicine? Have you 
any tumors or swellings? If so, what and where? Are you rupt- 
ured? Any lumps about the groin or navel? If so, do they disap- 
pear when you He down ? Or protrude more on sneezing or strain- 
ing? Do you feel strong or weak in body? How far can you walk? 
Is your flesh firm or soft and flabby? Do you like exercise or avoid 
it? Are your hands and feet warm or cold? Are they moist, dry, 

or hot at times? 6th. As to your daily habits : Are you 

regular to bed ? How many hours sleep do you get ? Do you use 
stimulants? Tea or coffee (how often)? Do you use tobacco in 
any form? Opium, or other narcotic? Do you eat much meat? 
Pork? Or rich pastries, pickles, condiments? Have you injured 



602 TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 

yourself by any bad habit? 7th. Any trouble in the 

head : Headache, pains, neuralgia, in the front, back, or side of 
the head? Any dizzy sensations? Eush of blood to the head? 
Heavy, oppressed feelings? Any excess of mucous discharges 

from the nose or throat (catarrh)? 8th. Have you weak 

or inflamed eyes ? Any dullness or fault of vision ? Stars, specks, 
or streaks floating before the sight? Clouds or mists? Any twitch- 
ing of the lids? Pains in the eyeballs? Gumming during sleep? 

9th. Any trouble about the ears? Defective hearing? 

Roaring or singing? Earache? Discharges? Excess of wax? 

Dryness? 10th. Is the tongue coated? All over? White 

or yellow ? Any small red points, pimples, deep furrows, or wrinkles 
on the tongue? 11th. Any trouble in the mouth? Dis- 
eased teeth or gums? False or filled teeth? Canker in the mouth ? 

Dryness? Excessive moisture? Bad taste? Bad breath ? 

12th. Any affection of the throat? Irritation, discharge, hawking, 
tickling, soreness? Choking sensations? Hoarseness or weakness 

of the voice? Enlarged tonsils? 13th. Do you take cold 

easily? Where is it likely to affect you? „ . . .14th. Any 

symptoms affecting the lungs? Dry or loose cough? Nights or 
mornings ? What is your chest measure in inches, under the arms, 
with full breath ? Without ? What is the number per minute of 
your pulse when lying down ? Sitting ? Standing ? Any tender- 
ness, pain, soreness, constrictions, or weakness about the chest? Do 
you raise water from the lungs? Does it sink in water? Is it yel- 
low, chunky? Is it streaked with blood? Did you ever raise blood? 
How often? Are you short of breath on slight exertion? Do you 
have swelled ankles? Chills during the day? Night- sweats ? 
Flushed face afternoons? Have you had pneumonia, or any serious 

fever? Fever and ague ? 15th. Have you palpitation of 

the heart? Pains or soreness about the heart? Any unusual or 

disagreeable sensation there? Sense of stoppage ? 16th. 

Have you dyspepsia, heaviness, soreness, gnawing, burning, or pain 
in the stomach? Any sourness, wind, trembling, nausea, or sick- 
ness? Is the appetite good, poor, variable, or voracious? Are you, 

or have you been, careless about what or when you eat? 

17th. Do the bowels move regularly? One or more times daily? 
Easily or not? Is there any bloating, tenderness on pressure, or 
griping? Have you piles? External or internal? Itching or 



LIST OF QUESTIONS. 603 

bleeding? Have you fistula? 18th. Have you weak- 
ness, pain, soreness, or lameness across the lower part of the back? 
Pain or uneasy feeling in the lower part of the bowels, over the 
bladder? Do you pass water often ? Much or little at a time ? Any 
pain or smarting ? Is there much smarting ? Is there much sedi- 
ment? Red, white, brown, yellow, or gritty? Is there any unusual 
color or deposit in the urine? Any blood or gravel? Have you 
had any venereal disease? If so, what and when, and how long? 
19th. Do you have pains, weakness, soreness, numb- 
ness, or other disagreeable sensation in any part of your body not 

mentioned already? 20th. Are you married? Ever 

been? Have you children? Are they healthy? If married and 
without children, do you desire them? Is husband or wife sterile? 
If children are desired, describe eyes, hair, complexion, height. 
weight, age of both parties, stating how many years married, and 
give all the information you can think of as important in enabling 
a physician to ascertain the cause of unfmitfulness on a separate 
sheet of paper. Have you read the chapter on " Local Inadapta- 

tion" in - ; Plain Home Talk." and studied Figs. 127 and 128? 

21st. Do you have involuntary seminal emissions day or night? 
How many during a month at night? How often and when during 
the day? Do you know the first or real cause? Are there any 
casual, direct, or present causes ? Is your sexual power impaired ? 
If married, is the seminal discharge premature? Did you have 
losses before marriage? Are your testicles diminished, wasted, 
swollen, enlarged, aching, tender? Is there any feeling as of a 

bunch of earth-worms in the scrotum (varicocele)? 22d. 

If a female, are you troubled with leucorrhoea or whites? Contin- 
ually or occasionally? Have you bearing down or dragging feeling 
in the region of the womb? Have physicians told you that the 
womb is fallen down, back, or forward? Is marital relation pain- 
ful? Are you sexually apathetic ? Are the periods regular ? How 
many days do they continue? Is there any pain before, after, or 
during the flow? Or other derangement? Is the quantity about 
right, slight, or profuse? Do you have soreness, irritation, smart- 
ing, or itching in the vagina? Have you ever had miscarriages? 
If so, how many, and at what period of pregnancy? Were the 

causes accidental, medical, or surgical? 23d. Is your 

place of residence considered healthful ? 




CIVILIZATION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. 



604 



PART III 



PLAIN TALK. 

ABOUT THE SEXUAL ORGANS; THE NATURAL RELATIONS 01 
THE SEXES; CIVILIZATION, SOCIETY, AND MARRIAGE. 



OPENING CHAPTER. 

INTRODUCTORY WORDS. 



?N entering upon a brief consideration of 
the subjects which will be presented in 
Part III , I do so in obedience to that 
monitor within, whose voice has ever 
chicled me when doing wrong, and encouraged me 
in every step toward my own moral and physical 
improvement, and in every effort I have ever put 
forth to rescue my fellow-beings from the bondage 
of disease, and the grasp of moral and social wretch- 
edness. It is indeed impossible, at this stage of 
the world's development, to achieve perfect physi- 
cal health, or attain unalloyed happiness. Our 
planet has not yet developed a crust that may not 
be broken by earthquakes and volcanoes ; nor has 
it yet obtained such a perfect atmospheric equilib- 
rium that the hurricane may not sweep the sea 
or the tornado devastate the land. Science has not 
yet taught us how we may fully avoid the effects of atmospheric changes, 
the breath of malaria, or how to live in such a way as to wholly avoid the 




606 INTRODUCTORY WORDS. 

approach of disease ; nor has yet God's revelation to man become suffi. 
ciently understood by our finite minds, to enable us to lay in His arms the 
soul of a beloved relative or friend without wetting the cold brow which is 
left us with burning, bitter tears. From all these inevitable terrestrial 
disasters, physical sufferings, and mental griefs, we must patiently and 
hope fully turn to those afflictions which it is in our power to avert or miti 
gate, to the end that we may achieve for ourselves and our children all the 
happiness which the Almighty has given us power to attain ; for while 
human life is too brief to make wickedness, however seemingly attractive, a 
bauble worth touching, life is too long to be fettered and embittered by 
customs and conventionalities which have no root in religion or morality. 

All over the world, to-day, individual happiness is " trampled out " by 
imperial, kingly, sectarian, and social usurpation and tyranny. Scarcely 
any one dares to utter his real sentiments. The powers of speech, which 
should be employed for conveying from one to another frank and truthful 
suggestions and opinions, have become so prostituted, that no one marvels 
at the saying of Talleyrand, that "language was made to conceal our 
thoughts." This, indeed, has become axiomatic. In this peculiar condition 
of national and social government, of political and social morality, it is not 
strange that men and women all over the world are unwittingly poisoning 
their individual enjoyments with opinions and customs bearing the emboss- 
ed and bronzed labels of religion and civilization, which, when weighed by 
the plain religious assayer, or probed by the votary of science, are as base- 
less and unnatural as those which sway the minds and habits of ringed-nosed 
and tattooed-faced heathen. 

In justice to our civilization, however, it may be said that if it does pres- 
ently stultify the brain with rum, bedaub the mouth with foul tobacco, fire 
the soul with envy and jealousy, graduate expert swindlers, create social 
and religious ostracists, encourage caste based on accident of birth or for- 
tune, and dispense power partially and unequally, it is only in its infancy; 
and if those who are born head and heart foremost — if those who do not 
begin the world by inflicting pain and consternation, by a breached presen- 
tation — will speak out frankly and make one original suggestion for the 
benefit of humanity during their natural lives, instead of following, body and 
mind, in the popular rut, what is now called Christian civilization will event- 
ually become, in fact, what it now is only in name. Civilization has indeed, 
thus far, done comparatively little for the moral and social elevation of man. 
It has quickened the wheels of commerce ; it has covered the seas and 
rivers with the graceful canvas of innumerable vessels ; it has connected the 
two great oceans with rails of iron ; it has so linked continents that intelli- 
gence is conveyed from one distant point to another on the wings of light- 
ning ; it has arrayed our rich men and women in fine raiment, and the poor 



INTRODUCTORY WORDS. 607 

in rags less ornamental than nature's covering ; it shelters our smart people 
with costly edifices, and the less knowing ones with tenements which 
scarcely exclude the cold; it has constructed steam carriages which 
make our remotest friends neighbors, and our neighborly feeling less cor- 
dial ; it has invented steam ploughs, and turned handsome cattle into the 
shambles of the butcher. Indeed, our civilization, instead of being Christian, 
is only the shadow falling before the incoming Christianity, and that shadow 
is yet so dark and obscure in many of its aspects, that it is but little more 
than the monstrous caricature of the beautiful spirit whose approach 
produces it. 

Believing, nay, knowing — after a long and extensive practice, during which 
I have been a kind of "father confessor" and confidential counselor, and a 
receiver of secrets and individual experiences, to thousands of men and 
women all over the northern continent of America, who have called upon 
me in person or addressed me by letter — that a very large proportion of the 
physical ailments and mental disquietudes which afflict humanity grow out 
of ignorance of the true functions and uses of the procreative organs, incorrect 
notions regarding the natural relations of the sexes, and erroneous views 
concerning marriage, I have felt that I should fail to perform my whole 
duty, if I omitted to present in this volume, as plainly and fully as space 
and time will permit, such views as my unequaled opportunities for observ- 
ing human nature, in all its usually concealed peculiarities, have compelled 
me to accept. In presenting them I must speak as a physiologist, for the 
best part of my life has been devoted to the duties of my profession. I 
wish I were also a theologian, for then I am sure I should be able to recon- 
cile with the true precepts of religion every thing herein written, which 
may possibly seem to conflict with popular theology, for there can be no 
question that physiological law is God's law. No one believes that the great 
Creator ever made conflicting laws. TTe may misinterpret them, and our 
misinterpretations may be antagonistic, but the laws themselves are all in 
perfect harmony. I may misinterpret physiological law, but it would seem 
as if a parson would be more likely to stumble on this ground than a physi- 
cian who daily w r alks over it, and is consequently familiar with its peculiar 
prominences and declivities. Not professing infallibility, I may make mis- 
takes ; but with the love of God and humanity in my heart, I shall endeavor 
in these pages to say nothing thai: shall injure the cause of true religion, or 
imperil the happiness of the human family; for my aim, on the contrary, is 
to promote both. 




CHAPTER II 

THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

T the very outset of this investigation, it will be prof- 
itable to return to the consideration of those organs 
which prominently distinguish the sexes. Considerable 
space has been devoted to them in Part II., but not 
sufficient to answer the purposes of Part III. It is not 
necessary to reiterate a description of their anatomy ; 
if the reader has not already perused the previous pages, it would 
be well to turn back and familiarize the mind with the anatomical 
and physiological facts presented in private words to women and 
men, and then resume the reading of the matter hereinafter pre- 
sented. 

The Cause of their Disgrace. 

The question has occurred to the minds of many thinking men and women 
of the present day, how the procreative organs came to be regarded with so 
much disfavor, silence, and a sort of contempt? To any mind divested of 
popular teaching it would appear strange why anybody should be ashamed 
of these organs, any more than of the neck or face. The artless child, male 
or female, unsaturated with popular notions of propriety, is continually 
shocking its mamma with its total disregard of any attempt at concealment 
of its person. Men and women, living in a wild state, never envelop them- 
selves in clothing, excepting in cold latitudes, where the furs of animals are 
adopted as raiment simply for the purpose of preserving warmth. In parts 
of Mexico which are not wholly outside of the influenco of our civilization, 
people of both sexes bathe together in the lakes and rivers, entirely divested 
of clothing. In the peculiar civilization of the Japanese, a traveler informs 
me that the sexes enter the baths together in a niide state. Nowhere, ex- 
cept in our civilization, and in that peculiar to the Mohammedan people, are 
the sexual organs looked upon with such disgust as to call in question the 
wisdom of the Divine Artificer ; and, again, nowhere does sensuality, in its 
grossest and most demoralizing aspects, confront the moral and social re- 
former to so great a degree as in the large cities of Christendom, and in the 
harems of the followers of Mohammed. 



CAUSE OF THEIR DISGRACE. 609 

Albeit, the question presented in the opening of the preceding paragraph 
is easily answered. In the early history of the world, the people of pagan 
nations, struck with the mysterious powers of the procreative organs to 
reproduce human beings, deified them — made idols in their image, and 
worshipped them. These people were in time confronted by those who 
worshipped the true God, and who were so shocked at the peculiar idolatry 
of the pagans, that their prejudices to their idols in time degenerated into 
prejudices to the natural organs God fashioned with his own hands. This 
prejudice has ripened with each century, and has been handed down from 
generation to generation, till it forms a part of* our religion and civilization. 

As the fact of pagan worship of idols fashioned in imitation of the organs 
of procreation may be new to some of my readers, I will state that archse- 
ologists, in their researches, found at Herculaneum and Pompeii, and in 
various parts of continental Europe, enough of these peculiar idols to form 
a museum at Naples. This depository of peculiar relics of antiquity bears 
the name of the " Secret Museum." These idols are made of stone, metal, 
pottery, ivory, etc., varying in size from charms, which were manifestly 
worn about the neck, to statues of gigantic size.* 

" Not confined to the ancient Romans, this kind of worship spread through 
parts of Germany and the British Islands, as is attested by the discovery 
of its monuments in these countries,""— (MSS. American Bureau for Literary 
Reference, by F. H. Norton.) 

"It is curious that while in one country the male organ was considered 
all powerful, in another it would be that of the female to which the won- 
derful powers of deity were ascribed. Thus, in Ireland, carved figures, rep- 
resenting the female organ, have been found over the entrance to churches, 
while it is related that one of the early kings of Egypt raised columns in 
some of the countries he had conquered, on, which he caused to be sculp- 
tured the same symbol." — {Ibid.) 

It may be a bit of information quite interesting to those who nail horse- 
shoes over their doors for "good luck, 5 ' that this is one of the relics of the 
pagan worship under consideration. "It was the universal practice of the 
Arabs of Northern Africa to nail up in front of their tents, over their doors, 
the generative organs of the cow, or mare, or the she-camel, to keep away 
witches and the evil eye. When impossible to obtain these, a rude drawing 
of the same was substituted. This being crudely and inartistically executed, 
it assumed various shapes, always, however, approximating to nature. 
Thus it finally took the shape of a horseshoe, and when the original mean- 
ing of this sign had been forgotten, the horseshoe became the talisman, 
and may be frequently met with all over the world." — {Ibid) 

* The facts regarding: this kind of idolatry are derived from U A Discourse on the Wor- 
ship of Pmpns," by Richard Payne Knight. 
2ti* 



610 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

Secular writers affirm that phallic worship, as that form of religion is 
called which deifies the idols alluded to, is the oldest of any religion or 
belief now known. It certainly antedates the Christian era many centuries. 
It was before Plato, Pythagoras, and Aristotle. It existed extensively in 
the pagan world in apostolic times, and long after. Indeed, it prevailed in 
Isernia, in the kingdom of Naples, until that kingdom was devastated by 
the earthquake of 1805, and, stranger still, it continues to a considerable 
extent in Japan at the present time. A gentleman, who visited that coun- 
try in the United States service a few years ago, informs me that they have 
various little gods, and among them those made in imitation of the male 
organs of generation. These are prayed over by barren women when they 
desire children. They are publicly exposed in the toy shops for sale. 
At Kamaquara, a place where there are many temples, there is a large 
bowlder, upon which is a perfect representation of the female organs 
of generation (external). They say the stone was found with this device 
upon it, which, in the light of the discoveries of archaeologists, is quite likely. 
It may have been the work of some pagan artist, many centuries ago, and, 
from the fact of its having been found in its present shape, it possesses, to 
those who deify it to-day, a greater degree of sacredness. This bowlder is 
inclosed in a railing, and barren women go there and kneel and pray and 
make offerings of money, etc., which they put into the priests' box attached 
-thereto, thinking it will remove their unfruitfulness. The middle and 
lower classes are said to be all thus superstitious. 

" Among many nations," remarks a writer, "it was the custom for the 
virgin to sacrifice her virginity to a phallic idol before the marriage cere 
mony, in order to prevent sterility. This custom prevailed in India, Japan, 
many islands of the Pacific, and, to a considerable extent, still continues. 
In a public square in Batavia there is a cannon taken from the natives and 
placed there as a trophy by the Dutch government, the peculiarity of 
which is, that the orifice for firing it off is made on a phallic hand, the 
thumb being the phallus. At night the Malay women go to this cannon 
and sit upon the thumb for the purpose of insuring fruitfulness. When 
leaving, they make an offering of a bouquet of flowers." 

It is a matter of no practical consequence to the question under consid- 
eration, when phallic worship began; but every one who has observed the 
intensity of religious zeal when thoroughly aroused, may imagine and may 
reasonably imply, by a study of the Bible, with what vehemence the Israel- 
ites of old and the early Christians attacked the worship of these pagans, 
and how naturally prejudices were formed, not only to the phallic idols, 
but to the least exposure of the organs after which they were fashioned. 
Can we not discover in all this the origin of the excessive notions of sex- 
ual propriety which exist throughout all Christendom, and not only 



CAUSE OF THEIR DISGRACE. 611 

throughout Christendom, but wherever any higher religion has been pitted 
against that of the phallic idolaters ? In oriental countries, where the 
female organs were originally deified more universally than elsewhere, and 
where the Mohammedan religion has made headway against phallic idol- 
atry, the reaction has been so marked and the prejudice so intensified by 
religious conflict, that the disciples of Mohammed, not satisfied with simply 
concealing the female organs with raiment, keep their women wholly 
secluded from public observation. Even their faces must be closely veiled 
in public. So it seems that the Mohammedans have carried their crusade 
against phallic worship even further than we have, and consequently, if our 
prejudices and conventionalities in regard to the organs of propagation 
are well founded, should we, indeed, with our Bible, be behind those who 
reverence the Koran ? If not well founded, will it not do in this age of com- 
parative enlightenment to unite reason and philosophy with our religion? 

Although there is not a particle of danger of our ever adopting phallic 
worship, it may not be best for us to become so rude in our ideas of pro- 
priety as the pagans of old, or as our new acquaintances, the Japanese; 
but is it expedient to surround the organs of procreation with so much 
mystery, and maintain such studied silence respecting them in our social 
and moral intercourse, as to render men and women prudish, ignorant, 
morbid, and downright foolish, and our civilization a curse rather than a 
blessing to that portion of our race which accepts it? "Will it not answer 
for us all, in this age of reason and Christian religion, to thoroughly know 
ourselves, and look about us without unnecessary restriction for the means 
for the promotion of our physical a swell as our moral happiness ? It seems 
to me there can be but one reply. 

Next in order is the question — where may the public look for enlighten- 
ment in regard to those things which pertain to their sexual organizations, 
and that share of their social happiness in any way depending upon 
proper knowledge and use of them? May I not suggest in reply, 
medical and physiological works, written in language that everybody can 
comprehend? Imbued with this idea, and trusting to the good sense 
of an enlightened public, I have thus far in this work climbed no fences to 
get around, nor made bridges to get over what are popularly regarded as 
muddy currents, when I thought the best interests of my readers would 
be promoted by my wading right through. I desire that this work may bo 
worthy the acceptance of the public as an encyclopedia of useful physiolo- 
gical knowledge for children and adults of both sexes. 



612 



THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 



Their Influence on Physical Developments 




See here, reader: I hold in my hand an acorn and a plum-stone; little 
things no larger than the end of your thumb. Plant these in indigenous 

soil, and what do we find ? 
From the acorn springs up 
a twig, slender and tiny at 
first. The sprout from the 
plum-stone is, if any thing, 
a stouter-looking sprig. 
The two grow side by side, 
and for some time an ob- 
server unacquainted with the 

THE SEED OP THE OAK AND OF THE PLTTM-TREE. characteristics Of the tWO 

young sprouts would be as likely as anj r way to say that the little plum 
would be the larger and stouter tree in the end. Let us leave the pair 
long enough for them to develop. Years roll around, anc? we return. 
Lo! the twig of the acorn has become the a king of the forest!" You 
cannot, with the arms of another added to your own, span its immense 
trunk, abd how scraggy its great moss-covered limbs 1 But what of the 
plum ? In your surprise, you have not thought of it. Ah ! Here it is : 
a beautiful and graceful tree ; its limbs are shaped as handsomely as if 
the gardener had continuaUy watched and pruned it. Its top is no higher 
than the firs* limb of its sturdy brother — the oak. The stately, the majes- 
tic, the moss-grown oak ; the slender, the graceful, the mossless plum-tree ! 
Thus the two sexes of the human family grow up. In a group of children 



Fig. US. 




IT CHARLIE OR IS IT MARY ? 



fcirely opposite directions. 



composed equally of boys and girls, there is 
at first no very remarkable difference in form 
or figure. Discerning people will distinguish 
correctly, but the world's blunderers are as 
likely to call the little black-eyed girl in pan- 
talets, " Charlie," and the blue-eyed boy in 
petticoats, " Mary," as any way. Then, too, 
the little girls seem more hardy than the boys, 
as the plum sprig seemed stouter than the oak 
twig ; and below the age of puberty the rate 
of mortality is greater among the young mascu- 
lines. 

The age of puberty reached, mark the change I 
The two sexes seem now to develop in en- 
The voice of the boy grows rough and deep j 



INFLUENCE ON PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. 613 

his bony framework develops rapidly ; his shoulders grow broader ; the soft 
down of his childish face is fast turning to a heavy beard. Soon we shall 
see in him the sturdy, withy, and mossy characteristics typified by the oak. 
But with the girl all development of bone or any thing dependent upon earthy 
properties nearly or quite ceases when puberty is reached. True, a little 
prior to and for a while after, she widens at the hips. Why ? Because on 
each side of the womb there rises upward and sideward a tubular arm, 
called the fallopian tube, with fimbriaB which might be likened to the ends 
of the fingers, and these grasp those important organs called the ovaries. 
(See fig. 142.) Well, these arms and these ovaries must have room ; so, as 
the girl approaches the age of puberty, when the tubes and the ovaries 
must begin their labors, they demand elbow-room, and as the hard skull 
expands to the development of the brain, so the bony structure of what 
is called the pelvis widens, and it is consequently the generative organs 
of the woman that give her the peculiar breadth from hip to hip. But 
why does she grow physically fine, or what is called feminine, and the 
young man physically coarse, or what is termed masculine? I will tell 
you a secret, which the profession has not yet discovered; at least, I 
have never met with it in medical literature, and I claim for it priority 
of discovery. 

It is this : The ovaries of women absorb and throw away those earthy and 
calcareous properties which go to develop bone, flinty hair, and coarseness 
of fibre ; while the testicles of men secrete these properties largely, and 
send them to the seminal vessels, from which, if not expended in coition, 
masturbation, or involuntary emissions, they are re-absorbed, and go to build 
up the coarse or masculine physical characteristics What is called ovala- 
tion in women, or, in other words, the generation of seed in the ovaries, 
commences at the age of puberty, whether sexual connection occurs or not. 
These ova are continually forming, and as constantly passing off; if not 
through the fallopian tubes and uterus, why then dropping into the cavity of 
the abdomen, from which they are absorbed and carried away with the waste 
matters. If dropped as last described, they cannot be re-absoibed as living 
material aDy more than the semen could be re-absorbed if forced by com- 
pression at the moment of emission into the bladder ; or the blood of the 
bleeding nose returned to the circulation by injecting it into the nostrils. 
The ova, or eggs, once detached from their ovary, must go to waste unless 
met by the zoosperm of the male, and held in the uterus to form offspring. 
Then, during pregnancy, the ovaries cease their periodical waste of the 
earthy matters by arresting the process of ovalation, so that the develop- 
ing foetus may draw from the pregnant woman the material whereby to 
build up its cartilage, its bone, and its scalp of hair. This cessation of 
work on the part of the ovaries usually continues, too, during the period of 



614 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

nursing, when the food of the infant must possess its due supply of calca- 
reous matter, and it is found by analysis that the ashes of the milk of 
women contain phosphate of lime, chloride of potassium, phosphate of mag- 
nesia, and phosphate of iron. At that period of woman's life when ovalation 
ceases, her physical characteristics have become too fixed to be materially 
changed by the arrest of the calcareous waste ; although in perfect health, 
it is noticed that she does grow more muscular, and in some instances it 
may be observed that the upper lip becomes somewhat bearded after what 
is called " the change of life. " 

Analysis of the semen of the male tends to sustain the foregoing theory, 
for, according to Yauquelin, it contains " 900 parts of water, 60 of animal 
mucilage, 10 of soda, and 30 of calcareous phosphates." Observation of 
effects of the retention or loss of this fluid also sustains it, for, when by 
masturbation, sexual excess, or involuntary emissions, young men sustain a 
frequent loss of semen, they become effeminate, timid, less firm in bone 
and muscle, and generally less hairy about the face and body. Even the 
voice, in some instances, becomes less masculine. 

Then, again, observe the effects of the removal of those little organs 
which in the male economically save and return to the system when wanted, 
the calcareous or earthy matters, which they largely secrete. In Italy, in 
the eighteenth century, about four thousand boys were annually castrated 
for opera singing, and celebrating the mass ! Why ? Because the opera- 
tion arrested the full development of the masculine voice. 

"Without the ovaries of women to waste the coarser properties, their 
vocal organs became stronger and larger than women's; and consequently 
more efficient for singing those parts in music usually allotted to the female 
voice; but, without testicles to act as savings banks to the masculine 
properties, so that any part of the body could be supplied by " drafts paya- 
ble at sight," the vocal organs could not obtain that development which 
gives to the voice of uncastrated men the intonation of heavy bass. These 
boys, too, grew up beardless, having more down than women, but none of 
the flinty beard so peculiar to men who have not lost the acorns of their 
manliness. 

Analysis of the contents of an egg also sustains my theory. The egg 
of any animal — fish, reptile, or bird — contains a large percentage of phos- 
phate of lime, carbonate of magnesia, oxide of iron, and sulphur. I am not 
aware that any analysis of the egg, or ovum of the human female, has been 
made ; but, under the microscope, its organization presents about the same 
appearance as that of the egg of other animals, whether viviparous or ovip- 
arous, even to containing a yolk ; and it probably differs little, excepting in 
size, and in the quality of its animal matter. 

The effects of the loss of the ovaries on the viviparous animals is analo- 



INFLUENCE ON PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT. 615 

gous to those happening under the same circumstances to women. Hens 
losing their ovaries by disease or accident, are known to acquire tail feath- 
ers and spurs like the cock, and often to crow pretty well. I recollect meet- 
ing with one of these masculine hens in my boyhood, and I have heard of 
others. It is a fact known to naturalists, that in many instances female birds, 
After passing the age of fruitfulness, acquire the plumage and characteristics, 
of the male. Women losing their ovaries, by disease or surgical operations, 
oecome, if the loss occurs at an early age, quite masculine, acquiring a 
neavy dowm upon the upper lip, and sometimes upon the cheeks. The 
voice and other characteristics also become more masculine. In all cases 
»)f women having much hair upou the upper lip, the ovaries or seed-gener- 
nting organs are comparatively inactive, although, in many instances, their 
amative instincts are more intense. When amativeness is abnormally 
mct-eased, and the activity of the ovaries diminished, in early womanhood, 
the masculine characteristics are not only more prominent so far as relates 
to muscle, bone, beard, and voice, but the breasts flatten and the clitoris 
obtains unusual size. I have met with a few cases of this kind in my prac- 
tice, and I find, by investigation, that some centuries ago this species of 
deformity was so common in Egypt and Arabia, that the surgeons made a 
practice of amputating a portion of the clitoris. It became in some in- 
stances as large and prominent as the male organ. On the other hand, 
castration of the male develops the breasts. 

The practice of spaying female calves, or heifers, as they are called by the 
farmers and stock raisers, is practised in portions of Canada and elsewhere, 
for the purpose of making working cattle of them. Spaying, it should be 
understood, is the act of removing the ovaries, or destroying them. "When 
thus operated upon.- the organs which secrete and excrete, or throw away, 
the calcareous properties being removed, they grow more bony and muscu- 
lar, and even their horns take more of the form and likeness of the stag. I 
am informed by a medical man to whom I have read a portion of this essay 
in manuscript, that he once saw a yoke of cattle composed of a male which 
had been castrated, and of a female which had been spayed, and that they 
appeared to be physically what are generally known as " matched cattle." 
This would be the natural result, for the absence of the ovaries of the 
female would prevent the castrated male from taking on all the characteristics 
of the female, and the absence of the testicles of the male would prevent 
the spayed female from developing all the characteristics of the male, and the 
two would consequently meet at a point of physical development intermediate 
between a bull and a cow. The reader can apply my philosophy to other 
animals castrated or spayed while young, and find that facts sustain my 
theory. There are innumerable opportunities to carry out or test the cor- 
rectness of my philosophy, for it is no new discovery that castration and 



616 



THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 



spaying make the subjects on which the operations are performed more alike 
in their physical development ; many are fully aware of the fact, but no 
one, so far as I am informed, has ever before attempted to account for it. 
It is left to the good sense of the reader to decide if I have not succeeded 
in doing so. 

Their Influence on Health. 

The divergent physical growth of the respective sexes caused by the 
Fi s- 149 - influence of the sexual 

organs as explained in 
the preceding essay, if 
investigated fully with 
reference to its ulti- 
mate as well as proxi- 
mate results, explains 
the phenomena of sex- 
ual attraction. The 
spiritual aura of two 
such distinct organiza- 
tions must be corre- 
spondingly as unlike 
as their physical bod- 
ies. Before the age 
of puberty, and conse- 
quently before the tes- 
ticles of the male begin 
to impart marked mas- 
culine characteristics, 
and the ovaries of the 
female the work of 
eliminating the coars- 
er physical properties, 
the attraction between 
them is almost wholly 
the male. the female. platonic, and their 

mutual attentions and juvenile gallantries mainly "n imitation of what they 
see going on between the older ones ; but after arriving at puberty, and 
the machinery of sex begins its work in each, the delicately organized 
girl begins to feel like leaning against the broad shoulders of some fa- 
vorite of the opposite sex, and absorbing from him the masculine 
magnetism which emanates from breath of lung and pore, and he, in 
return, drinks in her sublimated electrical aura, which hi§ coarse physical 




THEIR INFLUENCE ON HEALTH. 617 

organization is incapable of generating. All you who, blessed with health, 
"have crossed the line" — passed the age of pubescence — know all about 
this from experience, and I need not multiply words in any attempt to 
describe the desires, the emotions, the sensations which suddenly took 
possession of your whole being. I will simply remind you that the mag- 
netism which emanates from a true representative of each sex, is as unlike 
in quality as the voice of each is dissimilar in sound. From which may 
/be made the following deductions : — 

First — Women need the magnetism of men ; it strengthens them ; it sup- 
plies something their peculiar organizations are incapable of producing. 
Physicians who have never for a moment stopped to inquire why, recognize 
thi3 fact, and often tell frail, debilitated, too effeminate young women, " My 
advice to you is, get married," and many who read these pages can bear wit- 
ness with me that this advice, judiciously taken, by the selection of a truly 
congenial companion, has saved a multitude of young women from debility 
and early death. No doubt, too, instances will arise in the mind of nearly 
every one, in which young women in declining health have suddenly ex- 
hibited physical improvement, when Madam Gossip began to rumor it 
about that this Miss Somebody had a beau. 

Secondly. — Man needs woman's magnetism; without it his surplus mas- 
culine elements either petrify and make him intolerably coarse and boorish, 
or they drive him to solitary vice and ultimate decay of his masculine quali- 
ties, if not, indeed, to final imbecility. How often physicians advise young 
men to marry, because their pent-up masculine elements have swept away 
the dam, carrying away, involuntarily, not only the calcareous or earthy 
properties of their semen, but the vital — I may almost say brain matter — 
which it possesses, and which cannot consistently with health be expended 
thus wastefully. This is not always good advice, for it is better to repair 
the local weakness first, unless proper attention be given to it immediately 
after marriage, which precaution is too apt to be neglected under the suppo- 
sition that natural indulgence will overcome the difficulty, while it too often 
simply conceals it. 

Lastly. — The sexes need the magnetism of each other not simply for the 
benefit resulting from the interchange, but because there is good reason to 
believe that the union of male with female magnetism actually create3 
magnetism. That is, this union of the two distinct elements reproduces 
magnetism just as the union of the male germ with the female germ repro- 
duces the human being. I know this is an hypothesis which is not perhaps, 
demonstrable, but it is a fact that may not have escaped the observation of 
some and the experience of other readers, that two bloodless and unmag- 
netic persons of opposite sex, if congenial, emerge from social or sexual inter- 
course, filled with a magnetic power and vivacity which they did not pos- 



618 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

sess before. It is more apparent after the latter, if the union takes place 
between persocs temperamentally adapted. It is, therefore, unfortunate 
that the demands of nature, and the fiat of custom, are so widely at variance. 
Nature makes known her want usually under the age of fifteen, while cus- 
tom in our civilization holds the sexes apart from six to ten years thereafter; 
long enough to make women feeble, sexually apathetic, and disqualified to 
become satisfactory companions or healthy mothers ; long enough to make 
our boys coarse, rakish, or imbecile, and in marriage the fathers of puny 
children. In our large cities, and to a considerable degree everywhere that 
our civilization extends, we have reached an era when a young woman 
is left to select for her husband one who is weakened by solitary vice, or 
poisoned with syphilis ; when a man may take for a wife a buxom widow, 
or a frail, breathless young virgin. Perhaps this last statement may appear 
somewhat exaggerated ; but, if not always frail in appearance, pray how 
many young women can you find in fashionable society who are physically 
sound ? 

Free social intercourse between the sexes, when not too greatly tram- 
meled by excessive notions of propriety, may do much to promote that 
exchange of magnetism between them so essential to physical develop- 
ment and sweetness of temper. Nature has, however, provided the true 
conductors to this interchange, which are as perfectly fitted for their func- 
tion as the eyes are suited to convey to our minds the form and color of 
surrounding objects; the cars to gather up atmospheric vibrations, and 
make us conscious of sounds ; and our stomachs to digest the food which 
rebuilds our constantly decaying bodies. Nor are those organs in health and 
cleanliness, and under circumstances which permit their normal exercise, one 
iota less beautiful, respectable, or less conducive to our enjoyment. The 
rude caricatures of them in ivory, stone, and pottery, as fashioned by the 
pagans of old, produced prejudices in the minds of our religious ancestry 
which have been transmitted by inheritance to us ; in childhood those pre- 
judices are revived and are fed to us with our milk; in adult age they are 
quickened to activity by uncleanliness, disease, and excessive sensuality. 
Who is to blame — G-od, who modeled the human body, or his ignorant, err- 
ing, dissipated, and diseased children, diseased no less in imagination than 
in body ? When shall we enfranchise ourselves from the u body of this 
death,'' open the windows of our souls to the light of G-od and Nature, and 
allow our understandings to become impressed with the true uses of things? 

There are those who professedly, I think not sincerely, advocate the en- 
tire suppression of the passions ; but it must occur to every philosophic mind 
that the passions are an integral part of the individual. It is pleasant to 
hear from the pulpit sentiments which may profitably find place in a physio- 
logical work. Clergymen ought all to be physiologists. There should be on. 



THEIR INFLUENCE ON HEALTH. 619 

one side, an anatomical, and on the other a physiological wing to every 
theological seminary, and no student should be allowed to graduate until 
symbolic of his alma mater, the wings of physical knowledge have sprouted 
on his theological body, But let me make haste to present for the consider- 
ation of the reader a couple of paragraphs from one of the sermons of Henry 
Ward Eeecher. 

•• That inward life is not from a part of the faculties but from all of them. 
Whatsoever." remarks Mr. Beecher, " belongs to man, belongs to G-od in 
Christ. It does not, for instance, partition off a few moral faculties, and call 
their products religion, and set them to watch the rest of man, calling that 
secular. It is the current and popular notion of Christianity that there is 
some part of the soul which is capable of being religious, and that the 
rest is an outlying province which the religion is called to govern — a sort 
of consular district, with consuls and pro-consuls of God's Spirit appointed 
to look after it, and see that it does not break out into insurrection, and do the 
best they can by it. But Christianity claims every part of man. The 
religion of the individual includes the sum total of the action of every part 
of his nature.'' 

"The soul/' continues this popular preacher, "is a symmetrical whole. 
There is nothing superfluous in man ; if he were to be made again, he 
doubtless would be made as he is. Man's faculties are well constructed. 
The fault is not in the faculties themselves, but in the use of them. Every 
part is needed. In religion are included, not the moral feelings alone, 
but also the imagination ; and not the moral feelings and the imagination 
alone, but also the reason; and not the moral feelings, the imagination, 
and the reason alone, but the affections ; and not all these combined alone, 
but all the organic passions and physical appetites ; subordinated, controlled, 
applied to normal and proper ends; but, nevertheless, the passions and 
appetites. For a man without his appetites and passions would be like a 
man pulled up by the roots. As long as a man lives on the physical globe, 
and is dependent upon a physical structure to think, feel, and act in, so long 
lie must have appetites and passions. They are not averse to grace in their 
true function ; and religion claims, not just so much of the mind as is called 
the religious faculties, but the whole soul and all its parts." 

The foregoing paragraphs contain in two small kernels all the food perhaps 
that reflecting minds require for mental digestion under this head, but I 
will grind them up and make a penny cake for one, a biscuit for another, 
and a whole loaf for those who are ready to receive it. 

There are those, cs remarked before, who profess to believe that the 
human passions should be completely subdued, and, if possible, rooted out 
Asceticism has had its votaries in all ages of the world, and presents itself 
to-day in a variety of forms not free from inconsistency, in nearly every 



THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

community under the sua Now, according to phrenology, all the organic 

passions have their bumps behind the ears, and those who do not accept 
phrenology as a science, must admit that a large cerebellum denotes strong 
passions. Root out the passions, if such a thing were possible, what would 
be the result to the physical man ? A small cerebellum and diminutive 
lungs. Asa rule, you will observe that those having prominence in the 
intellectual organs without a fair development of the head back of the ears, 
have contracted chests ; while those who have large back heads have broad 
shoulders and large lungs : therefore, if it be possible to crush out the pas- 
sions, and you succeed in doing so, you shall find the human race reduced 
to a puny condition physically, and not only that, but to a mental condition 
devoid of propelling power, for these faculties are necessary to impart energy 
to mind and body. Look about you, analyze the developments and charac- 
teristics of your neighbors, and see if I am not correct. 

The Divine Architect intended that these organs should be preserved, or 
they never would have been assigned a place in the human organization ; 
as well talk of abbreviating the arms or amputating the limbs of a man in 
obedience to a supposed divine law, as to propose to dwarf the development, 
or paralyze the normal action of these faculties ! All of them may be exer- 
cised without harming your neighbor ; it is a perverse use of them that leads 
to disorder, disease, and unhappiness. The organs of " combativeness " and 
" destructiveness " find their proper field of labor and usefulness in attack- 
ing and demolishing popular errors, and as the human race rises to new 
light, there will ever be something old to destroy to make room for some- 
thing new and better adapted to the wants of the times. These organs are 
misapplied when they lead men to pummel each other in or out of the prize 
ring, and to the needless destruction of life. Amativeness may be employed 
in developing and gratifying naturally the social and affectionate instincts ; 
in imparting to woman the strong magnetism developed by man ; in modi- 
fying the masculine elements of man with the spiritual aura of woman ; 
and in making both sexes healthier and happier. It is an escaped tiger 
from a menagerie when it takes on the spirit of selfishness, and seeks the 
gratification of its impulse without regard to the happiness and the rights 
of others ; and a monster without name when it leads to unnatural indulgen- 
ces, such as self-abuse, pederasty, and connection with lower animals. Philo- 
progenitiveness finds its most admirable exercise in prompting the produc- 
tion, and sensible moral and physical development of children ; it becomes 
disorderly when it willfully plants the germ of a new being in the womb of 
an unwilling companion, and verily cruel when it attempts to propagate 
children through the instrumentalities of sickly progenitors. 

Thus all the natural passions have their uses and abuses. There are 
some unnatural passions and emotions which have no distinctive location or 



THEIR INFLUENCE ON HEALTH. 621 

"bump " in the brain, and which it should be one of the chief labors of life 
to root out. Prominent among these are jealousy and envy ; and selfish- 
ness, which is the mother of these troublesome twins. They are weeds of 
rank growth, and when they once get seated in the organs of thought arid 
emotion, they choke and dwarf the development of the moral and social 
faculties. 

There are two very distinct and opposite classes of people who need 
especial criticism, and ail sorts of folk between them. One consists of 
those who give little thought or attention to any thing else but their appe- 
tites, and consequently run to sensuality and coarseness; the other of 
bloodless debilitated men and women, who are absolutely running to moral 
and intellectual seed. They grow up like a flower, with a single stem, 
drooping at the top for the want of support. As the first class are being 
constantly lectured by the clergy and exemplary — and unexemplary — laity, 
I will direct these words to the neglected class last mentioned. 

You feeble women and men give yourselves up too exclusively to moral 
or mental pursuits. You have but little blood, and that congests your 
brain, leaving your extremities cold and your digestion weak ; ail activity 
is concentrated in your head and heart to the manifest detriment of other 
portions of your physical body. It is necessary that you proceed at once 
to develop your animal nature. Your appetite is poor, because your 
stomach is weak ; you cannot, therefore, begin by crowding your stomach 
with undesired food ; you may, however, advantageously vitalize your nervous 
system with sexual magnetism; sexual association, and, when honorable, 
possibly sexual gratification, to a reasonable extent, will divert the blood to 
the extremities ; the social intercourse which this change in your habits 
must inevitably encourage, will make your mind more cheerful and life 
more enjoyable. With this distribution of your circulating fluids, this 
mental cheerfulness, will follow appetite for food. Having obtained this 
healthy equilibrium, take care to preserve it. Neither gravitate toward 
coarse sensuality, nor relapse into your former non- vital condition. Either 
extreme is prejudicial to health and fatal to happiness. 

Owing to the peculiar customs of society, females are the greater sufferers 
from sexual starvation, and in this connection I cannot do better than to 
make an extract from Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes' "Autocrat of the Break- 
fast Table." " The great mystery of God's providence is the permitted 
crushing out of flowering instincts. Life is maintained by the respiration 
of oxygen and of sentiments. In the long catalogue of scientific cruelties 
there is hardly any thing quite so painful to think of as that experiment of 
putting an animal under the bell of an air-pump, and exhausting the air 
from it. (I never saw the accursed trick performed. Laus Deo!) There comes 
& time when the souls of human beings — women, perhaps, more even than 



622 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

mefl — begin to faint for the atmosphere of the affections they were made to 
breathe. Then it is that society places its transparent bell-glass over th© 
y\ung woman who is to be the subject of one of its fatal experiments. The 
element by which only the heart lives is sucked out of her crystalline 
prison. "Watch her through its transparent walls ; her bosom is heaving, 
but it is in a vacuum. Death is no riddle compared to this. I remember 
a poor girl's story in the 'Book of Martyrs.' The 'dry-pan' and the 
gradual fire were the images that frightened her most. How many have 
withered and wasted under as slow a torment in the walls of that larger 
Inquisition which we call Civilization ! 

"Yes, my surface-thought laughs at you, you foolish, plain, overdressed? 
mincing, cheaply-organized, self-saturated young person, whoever you may 
be, now reading this — little thinking you are what I describe, and in bliss- 
ful unconsciousness that you are destined to the lingering asphyxia of soul 
which is the lot of such multitudes worthier than yourself. But it is only 
my surface-thought which laughs. For that great procession of the un- 
loved, who not only wear the crown of thorns, but must hide it under the 
locks of brown or gra}^ under the snowy cap, under the chilling turban- — 
hide it even from themselves, perhaps never know they wear it, though it 
kills them — there is no depth of tenderness in my nature that pity has not 
sounded. Somewhere, — somewhere, — love is in store for them; the uni- 
verse must not be allowed to fool them so cruelly. "What infinite pathos in 
the small, half-unconscious artifices by which unattractive young persons 
seek to recommend themselves to the favor of those toward whom our dear 
sisters, the unloved, like the rest, are impelled by their God-given instincts!" 

In concluding this essay, I will refer those who are disposed to pursue 
this subject further, to the article on "Sexual Starvation," on page 164, if 
Part I. has not already been perused by the reader. 

How they are made the Instruments of Pleasurable Emotions. 

I have already shown, in Part I. of this work, and particularly in the 
second chapter of the beginning, that electricity permeates every atom of 
animate as well as inanimate matter, and that every organized being pos- 
sesses within itself the requisite apparatus and elements for its generation 
and absorption. The office of this essay will be to show how it acts upon the 
sexual organs, to produce sensual enjoyment. I shall employ the word 
electricity in this essay, because it will better convey to the mind, by the 
illustrations given, a clear idea of the philosophy of sexual intercourse. 
The word magnetism has been in previous, and will be in subsequent, 
essays, employed when it best answers the purpose of making the subject 
understood to the non-professional reader. Electricity and magnetism ars 
not precisely alike in their nature and effects, but I have neither time nor 



INSTRUMENTS OF PLEASURABLE EMOTIG 4. 623 

space to enter into an explanation of their distinctive characteristics, nor is 
i: necessary, for the reader will know when I employ either term in speak- 
ing of its action in the body, I refer simply to that invisible element which 
gives activity to all its organs, and makes it radiant with life, and attrac- 
tive or repulsive to other bodies coming within its influence. 

To the pure in mind this dissertation will appear neither carnal norunin- 
structive, for no parts of the human system are more deserving the atten- 
tion of philosophers, physiologists, and the public at large, than those 
which perform the superior functions through which the Divine Creator 
establishes sexual love, and perpetuates the noblest work of his Almighty 
hand. In consequence of the silly fastidiousness which a false state of 
society has engendered, science has heretofore contributed nothing toward 
unfolding the philosophy of the action of these mysterious faculties, and 
kuowing the prejudices which frequently arise against those who dare to 
meddle with the delicate subject, I have myself felt many misgivings in 
giving publicity to my views ; but surrounded, as I am, with wrecks of 
humanity, cast away through the ruinous consequences of matrimonial infi- 
delity, sexual excess, and secret vice, I feel impelled to contribute what I 
can to avert these evils. 

The warnings of physiologists to the young have thus far availed little, if 
any thing, because good reasons have not been adduced to show that secret 
indulgences are more deleterious than natural gratifications of the amative 
passion, while little has been written argumentatively at all calculated to 
root out matrimonial vices. I shall not, therefore, withhold the results of my 
careful investigations, but give them plainly for the good of both single 
and married. 

To the end that the unprofessional reader may fully comprehend what I 
am about to say, an important physiological fact should be mentioned, viz. . 
1:9 organs of the tody, except the brain, are so extensively permeated with nerves 
or electrical condylars, as those embraced in the sexual parts. Located in 
close proximity to the plexus, at the inferior terminus of the spinal column, 
ihey receive an extraordinary share of those curious little cords, which, by 
the aid of animal electricity, impart to the animal organization the sense of 
feeling. In the act of cohabitation, these sensitive nerves are exercised by 
electricity in three forms ; and in masturbation by electricity in only one 
form. I will now proceed to explain each of these several forms, under 
then* appropriate heads. 

1st. Individual Electricity. — The fact that every animal body has 
within itself the requisite machinery for the generation of vital electricity 
docs not necessarily establish the conclusion that electricity is alike in 
capacity and equality in all persons. On the contrary, it would be pre- 
posterous to entertain such an idea for a moment, when we take into 



624: THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

consideration the difference which exists in size, shape, solidity, activity, 
age, and sex. The inference is irresistible, that people differ electrically sa 
much as they do physically. This being a fact nearly or quite self-evident, 
it is apparent that two persons of different sex and temperament sustain the 
electrical conditions of positive and negative to each other, and that contact, 
if of sufficient duration, produces an equilibrium, unless the one possessing 
the greater amount, restrains it by the action of the will. Electricity, 
unless interrupted, seeks an equilibrium the same as water seeks a level. 
The mind having control of its own agent, may sometimes retain it, and at 
others discharge it with an effect as perceptible as i it produced by the 
discharge of a cannon-ball. 

The power of individual electricity is manifested by the magnetizer, 
who fastens a man's limb so that he cannot move it, his eyelids so that he 
cannot raise them, and his tongue so that he cannot speak. Probably 
every reader of these pages has witnessed the experiments of a mesmerizer, 
and marveled at his peculiar powers — perhaps imagined, uncharitably, 
that he was leagued with the devil — inwardly accused him of being, at 
least, a devout disciple of " his Satanic Majesty." Unfortunately for them- 
selves, mesmeric operators, so far as I know, cannot philosophically account 
for the powers they possess, and hence superstitious people very naturally 
imagine they are under the direct patronage of that ubiquitous indi- 
vidual — " the evil one. " But I natter myself that I have discovered the 
secret. 

It must be remembered that in an audience of two or three hundred, 
a mesmerizer seldom finds more than fifteen or twenty whom he can affect. 
These, let it be understood, are in a condition relatively negative to the 
operator, who, by the effort of his will or sundry manipulations, imparts an 
overpowering quantity of his own individual electricity to them. Imparted 
fco these subjects, the operator still retains the control of his own individ- 
ual electrical elements, and by a simple effort of the will makes them walk, 
stand still, hold up a hand, raise a limb, or perform any other motion he 
may desire. How do you raise your own hand ? Simply by setting in mo- 
tion a current of your vital electricity, which contracts one set of muscles 
on the top of the arm, and relaxes those which are under. Now, if you 
should practise yourself in the art of imparting to other persons, in a nega- 
tive condition compared with your own system, a portion of your own elec- 
tricity, sufficient, at least, to overpower theirs, you could soon become a 
mesmerizer, and make them, while under the influence of your electricity, 
raise an arm, hold it still, or produce any other motion that you can perform 
with your own limbs. 

The psycnologist possesses this power to a greater degree than the mes- 
merizer, lor he can impart his electricity to the brain of a susceptible sub- 



INSTRUMENTS OF PLEASURABLE EMOTION. 625 

ject, and by exercising its various organs, produce any sort of mental hal- 
lucination he may invent. 

" Should you aim to produce those effects of mind upon mind called 
1 psychological, ' " says a writer, "it will not be necessary to go through the 
tedious process of the passes. If you can succeed in rendering the mind of 
your patient so fixed for several moments upon a coin or a spot on the wall, 
or any point — it matters not which, provided that he brings himself to the 
requisite degree of susceptibility — you will be able to slip your influence 
between his brain and his physical system, and so be able to control his 
sensations and perceptions. If it is desired that you make him believe 
himself an orator, musician, or monk, have in your mind a clear conception 
of the character, and make an effort to impart the impression." 

Now, what is this influence but the nervo-electricity which the immortal 
principle of man employs to perform the various phenomena of animal life? 

Mesmeric power is possessed to a wonderful extent by some persons, 
who can impart their nervo-electricity to inanimate matter, and make it 
exhibit the appearance of life for a few moments. I can never forget an ex- 
periment I once saw performed before I understood the philosophy of mes- 
merism. I was on a trip up Lake Michigan. A veteran vessel captain 
was a fellow-passenger — a jolly tar, full of good jokes and anecdote. I formed 
one of a social group who gave him audience. I had a favorite hickory 
cane in my hand, and the old captain proposed to make it dance "Yankee 
Doodle." The deck was cleared sufficiently to allow room for the incredible 
exploit, when the old necromancer (as we all thought him) made several rapid 
passes from the top to the extremity of the stick — then stood it off at a dis- 
tance of three or four feet. He immediately commenced whistling, and the 
cane commenced dancing — i. 0., hopping up and down a distance of half to 
three-quarters of an inch. It performed this motion only a few moments, 
however, not long enough for the captain to go through with his tune. 
His music was accompanied with a violent motion of the hand, which the 
cane imitated, in a measure, just so long as it remained charged with the old 
man's electricity; when that left, as a matter of course the stick, in obedi- 
ence to the laws of gravitation, fell. At each repetition of the experiment 
he stopped to manipulate the cane. It is not at all probable the old tar 
knew the philosophy of his feat, or for a moment imagined that he possessed 
the requisite qualities to make a good mesmerizer or psychologist. The oldest 
hieroglyphics indicate that the production of mesmeric phenomena was 
known to the ancient Egyptians long before any book was written. Perhaps 
their philosophy was understood, though it is doubtful. 

The power of individual electricity is manifested in the successful public 
speaker, and distinguished military hero. u Every age," says a newspaper 
writer, "has exhibited manifestations of man's electric powers. Behold 
21 



626 THJE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

the generals of Greece and Rome ! See that untutored enthusiasm which 
but a few words to the soldiers would create with manifestations of a mag- 
netic power of man over man. Behold, too, in the force of Napoleon Bona- 
parte, an illustration of the same principle. Even a movement of his hand 
toward the enemy, when the conflict was doubtful, seemed to beget new 
energies. 

". Take another class in a different field. Imagine yourself in the forum at 
Rome, listening to the soul-stirring eloquence of Cicero. Behold that living 
mass of minds swayed by his magnetic power as the bosom of the deep is 
tossed by the winds of heaven — made to heave and swell with agitation and 
commotion. See the more mild and pathetic and elevating appeals of his 
eloquence calming their troubled bosoms like the sun bursting from a storm- 
cloud and calming its fury. 

"At the moment when his soul was inspired by its own energies and the 
inspiration of his theme, his whole system evolved an immense amount of 
electric force. He should say more in ten minutes in that condition than in 
an hour — yea, two hours, and sometimes four hours, in a negative state." 

But we need not go beyond the limits of our own country or turn to past 
ages for illustrations. We have had in our Congress, our army, and in our 
pulpit, men who have soared head and shoulders above all the rest, all of 
whom have given evidence of the possession of electric powers to an en^ 
inent degree. No man can distinguish himself as a public speaker, or a 
military chieftain, w T hose system has not the power to generate a large 
quantity of the electric element. 

There are in the Christian ministry many distinguished sermonizers and 
writers, who can produce only an imperceptible effect on a congregation. 
Let such a man as Col. Ingersoll, who is a well-charged battery, take the 
productions of these men and enter the pulpit, out of place as he would be, 
the effect would be thrilling. He would psychologize every auditor. Reich- 
enbach, it is said, has demonstrated that the hands are constantly sending 
off streams of what he calls "Odic force," and what I term animal electricity ; 
also that the eyes are foci for this influence. " Odic force" is but another 
name for electric force, sublimated animal electricity being the element 
which constitutes it. 

The power of individual electricity is manifested in the successful liber- 
tine. His presence, his gaze, and his touch are magnetic. The innocent 
virgin and the reserved matron unconsciously fall victims to his singular 
powers. Aaron Burr was a distinguished illustration of this class. He 
could electrify and call into action the most latent passions of apathetic 
women ; only those who possessed a powerful will to repel electrical in- 
fluences could resist his licentious advances. 

All great men may be successful libertines, by perverting their electrical 



INSTRUMENTS OF PLEASURABLE EMOTION. 



827 




RANDOLPH. 



powers. The mental or phrenological organization of a man decides his 
electrical character. If his intellectual faculties predominate, he will em » 
ploy his electric forces in the pursuit of honorable avocations and profes- 
sions ; if the intellectual and animal faculties are nearly equal in their de- 
velopment, then will he make both good and 
bad use of these forces, unless the brain 
is well balanced with the moral and religious 
organs ; if the latter are small and the animal 
organs are larger or more active than the in- 
tellectual, then will the man use the subtle 
element generated in his system in vicious 
pursuits. John Randolph's head was mainly 
before his ears, in consequence of which he 
> disposition to use his electrical pow- 
ers for sensual purposes. Indeed, he was 
said to be a " woman hater." Many of his 
political compeers, however, presented very 
different phrenological organizations, which, 
in some instances, produced a marked and in- 
jurious influence upon their distinguished career. 

Again, the power of individual electricity is manifested in social life. 
"We often meet with persons of both sexes, whose features and forms are 
not pretty, nor their mental endowments striking, but still very attractive. 
We say of some lady, " She is very fascinating, but not at all handsome ; 
there is something about her very agreeable, although she is far from being 
mentally or physically prepossessing.*' Now, what is this mysterious some- 
thing but her individual electricity which she unconsciously uses in com- 
manding the respect and admiration of her acquaintances? She, in fact, 
magnetizes every one she meets, and makes them admire something, and 
they do not know exactly what. Others are repulsive at first sight. Their 
magnetic influence is unpleasant, and we dislike them without being able 
to give a definite reason. They cannot magnetize us into respect for them, 
and the electrical radiations from their bodies and minds are uncongenial to 
our feelings. 

Finally, individual electricity is strongly manifested in the sexual embrace, 
when the masculine and feminine forces are focalized and blended in tho 
sensitive nerves which concentrate in the sexual organs. In a congenial 
embrace, the mind of each party summons all the available electric powers 
of his and her organization, and employs them to the fullest extent in 
exciting in each pleasurable emotions. The greater the dissimilarity in the 
nature of their individual electricities, the more satisfying is the effect. 
Hence, persons of similar physical organizations, whose electricities, in. 



628 THE SEXUAL ORGANS, 

consequence, are of a similar nature, have not the power to gratify each 
other to the extent those have whose temperaments are unlike. Some 
persons are so dissimilar in their physical organizations that any contact, 
such as the shaking of hands, imparts to each a pleasurable magnetic effect. 
The reader should peruse with attention this essay on individual electricity, 
as it is the basis of some of the most important original theories and sug- 
gestions of this volume. 

2d. Chemical Electricity. — I term that chemical electricity which ' is 
produced by a galvanic battery, a voltaic pile, or the union of acids and 
alkalies. I have explained in Part I. that experiments have proved the fact 
that if an acid and alkaline solution be so placed that their union be effected 
through parietiesof an animal membrane, or through any porous diaphragm, 
a current of electricity is evolved. Now, what is it that affords the current? 
simply the porous diaphragm. But what produces the electricity which forms 
the current ? I reply, the union of the acid and alkali. Then the interposition 
of the diaphragm is only to establish a medium for a definite current, while 
electricity is 'produced by the commingling of acids and alkalies, whether a 
porous diaphragm intervenes or not. This leads us to the conclusion that 
electricity is produced when tartaric acid is added to soda, the latter being 
an alkali, and that it is altogether probable the titillating effects of a glass 
of soda are produced in part by the electricity generated by the combina- 
tion of a positive and negative fluid. I know the effervescent property is 
claimed to be produced by the liberation of carbonic acid; but Dr. Bird says, 
u itis impossible that any hoo elements can be rent asunder without setting free a 
current of electricity" In the commingling of acid and alkali, the carbonic 
acid "is rent asunder 1 ' from the elements with which it was united ; and 
may we not then attribute a part of the visible effect produced to the elec- 
tricity generated ? 

Admit that electricity is generated by the union of acid and alkali, and 
we find that chemical electricity is produced in the act of copulation. It 
Das been shown, in the first chapter of this work, that the whole extent of 
the mucous membrane, excepting the stomach and csecum. is bathed with 
an alkaline fluid. The vagina of the female is superabundantly supplied 
with this fluid. And, also, that the external surface of the body is constantly 
exhaling an acid fluid. The penis of the male, except the glans-penis, exudes 
an acid fluid; and in the act of copulation, I am inclined to think, the secre- 
tion of the alkaline fluid by the female, and the exudation of the acid fluid 
by the male, is greatly augmented. I have before adverted to the pleasing 
sensations produced in the mouth and on the palate in drinking a combina- 
tion of an acid and alkali, called soda ; now, what must be the effect pro- 
duced on the sensitive and highly excited nerves in the sexual organs, 
when animal alkalies and acids are united? True, these fluids are not sup- 



INSTRUMENTS OF PLEASURABLE EMOTION. 629 

plied in sufficient quantities to produce any marked effect; but still the 
electricity so generated adds to the excitement of the sexual organs, and 
the emotions induced. In order that the male may not be insensible to the 
influence of the chemical electricity generated during copulation, the male 
organ is supplied with a sensitive membraneous apex called the glans-penis, 
which not only serves this purpose well, but also constitutes an electric, as 
will be shown by and by. Our investigations thus far, therefore, indicate 
that individual and chemical electricities are employed in the act of copula- 
tion. Next we will consider — 

3d. Frictional Electricity. — This may be produced in various ways. 
The rubbing of a piece of glass, amber, or sealing-wax, with a piece of flan- 
nel, silk, or fur, will so charge the former with electricity, that, when held 
near light bodies, they will be attracted and adhere to them. Many per- 
sod8, by sliding the feet with rapidity over a Brussels carpet, can accumulate 
so much frictional electricity in their bodies, as to be able to light gas by 
snapping the fingers over the burner of a gas chandelier. I have a relative 
who frequently performs this interesting experiment. He can also adminis- 
ter quite a perceptible shock with electricity thus accumulated. 

4; It is a general truth," remarks a Lowell newspaper, "that friction de* 
velops electricity, and most workmen know that a machine belt at high 
speed by its friction with the air is highly electrified . It has for years been 
a common experiment for a workman to light gas-burners by holding one 
hand to a fast-going belt and the other to the open burner. This matter 
was curiously demonstrated in the Appleton Mills of this city recently. A 
strong smell of fire being noticed, the premises were carefully searched, 
and a small quantity of cotton lint, inside a belt casing, was found on fire. 
The lint lay upon a beam which was within four inches of a belt some fifteen 
inches wide, and moving some two hundred and twenty revolutions a minute. 
In the beam was an iron bolt, tne head of which was toward the belt, 
From the belt to the bolt was passing a stream of electric sparks, which had 
set the cotton lint on fire. After attending to this case. Mr. Motley, the 
agent, opened the casing of a similar belt in another mill. The beam in this 
case was fourteen inches from the belt, but the stream of electric sparks was 
at once seen jumping across the beam, although it had not set fire to any 
thing." 

Frictional electricity may be produced by rubbing the hands together with 
rapidity, or by rubbing any part of the body. Every external part of the 
system may be, in a measure, electrically excited by rubbing : but no part 
of the animal organization is so susceptible to this influence as the glans- 
penis of the male and the clitoris of the female. It i3 by the excitation of 
these organs that masturbation is performed — a vice which is daily ruining 
the health of thousands of young men and women. They think that the 



630 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

warnings of physiologists are only intended to frighten tnem — that occa- 
sional secret indulgence is no more injurious than sexual intercourse* To 
the victims of this vice let me say, that in the act of masturbation, only one 
form of electricity is employed, and that is drawn from the nervous system and 
returned with frightful loss. Nature designed that the generative organs 
should be acted upon by individual, chemical, and frictional electricities ; 
you employ only the latter, and that is not produced but extracted from your 
nervous organizations. In a natural gratification of the passions, the elec- 
tricity produced by the commingling of the animal acids and alkalies, coition 
and the interchange of individual electricity, compensates the nervous 
systems of both sexes for any losses which would otherwise be sustained. 

The pubes, I am disposed to think, are useful in perfecting the curious 
electrical machinery of the generative organs. Hair being a non-conductor 
of electricity, may aid in confining the element generated and exchanged 
during the act of coition, to the sensitive nerves ; or, in other words, serve 
to insulate the external parts of the sexual organs. Every thing has been 
created and given its appropriate place for some wise purpose, and this may 
be the office of the pubes. Be this so, or not, the generative systems of 
both sexes are the very perfection of divine mechanism, admirably adapted 
to the purposes for which they were created. Ignorance of their philosophy 
and physiology has ever led to their serious perversion, both by the married 
and unmarried. In this case, ignorance is not bliss, nor wisdom folly. Man- 
kind should learn to make good use of them, but knowledge so desirable 
cannot be obtained unless their philosophy is correctly understood. For 
this reason I have indited this essay* 

How they are made Instrumental in Perpetuating the Race. 

In the opening of this essay, let me say to the reader that the amative or 
sensual function of the sexual organs is really separate and distinct from the 
procreative. This fact is not announced for the first time in this place, but 
was first promulgated, I believe, by the Rev. J. H. Noyes, founder of the 
Oneida Community. It stands out as a self-evident fact the moment it is 
presented. On one side, at least (the female), impregnation often takes 
place without amative excitement; some men affected with seminal 
weakness or involuntary losses of semen, if the spermatozoa be viable, may 
impregnate women by simply momentary connection, without remaining 
long enough to induce pleasurable emotion. These are facts well known to 
the observing and experienced of the profession. In the fishes the dis- 
tinctive character of these two functions is more marked, for their pleasure 
is simply in the emission — the female, of her eggs, and the male, of his 
impregnating germs ; there is no physical connection between the male and 



INSTRUMENTAL IN PERPETUATING THE RACE. 631 

female at all, and unless the former emits his germs among the de- 
posited eggs of the latter, reproduction cannot occur. 

The Rev. Mr. Noyes' analysis of the sexual relations appears in a later 
part of this book (page 876), and therefore, without further departure 
from the legitimate purpose of this essay, I will at once proceed to give, 
in brief outline, some description of the wonderful processes of repro- 
duction, by which the perpetuation of the human race, and, indeed, 
of most animal life, is accomplished through the operations of the sexual 
or reproductive organs. The anatomy and physiology of these parts in 
the two sexes has in previous chapters been presented, beginning on 
pages 451 and 520. Readers of those chapters have already learned that 
the testicles of the male and the ovaries of the female produce the germs 
of life, the spermatozoa and the ova, and that it is in the meeting and 
union of these two different elements that a new being originates. Stu- 
dents of physiology have spent weeks and months in experimentation 
and close observation in order to answer the questions how, when, and 
where do these elements meet, and what happens when they do meet ? 
Yet these questions have not been answered to their complete satisfac- 
tion. The essential facts which have been pretty definitely ascertained 
will be herein presented. 

Let us start with the ovule, and, without debating whether there is 
authority for it or not, we will call it an ovule until it shall have become 
fecundated or impregnated by the spermatozoa. It is first discovered in 
the ovule factory, or ovary, an elongated oval body, of soft, spongy feel, 
which, when cut in slices and put under a microscope, shows a fibrous 
texture enclosing numerous spaces called follicles. It is estimated that 
an ovary contains about 36,000 follicles, and each follicle contains the 
germ of one or more ovules. After the age of puberty, and during the 
childbearing period, the ovary presents a rough or uneven surface, 
comparable to a pimply face ; and though the simile is not elegant, it is 
useful in explanation, to say that periodically, at least once a month, one 
or more follicles acts like a pimple, in that it projects, points, softens at 
the surface, and finally discharges its contents, consisting of an ovule 
embedded in mucous or granular matter. Leaving its abode in the 
ovary, the ovule is wafted by fluid currents to the Fallopian tube, which 
is lined by myriads of whip-like threads, called ciliae, and the motion of 
these cilia? is such that the ovule is borne along toward the womb. The 
Fallopian tube is the connecting link between the ovary and the womb, 
about three or four inches long, and has a calibre that will permit the 
_ r e of a small straw. It is generally agreed that the meeting of the 
ovule with spermatozoa occurs somewhere in the Fallopian tube, and it 
occasionally happens (an accident and misfortune) that the ovum goes 



(J32 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

on to develop here, instead of passing on to its proper abode, the womb. 
It is both claimed and denied that the meeting (fecundation) may occur 
in the womb or in the ovary, but the infrequent accident of ovarian 
pregnancy (the development of the foetus in the ovary) would indicate 
that spermatozoa may travel as far as the ovary, and there impregnate 
the ovule before its escape from its follicle. 

The ovule when it leaves its follicle is a typical but minute cell, or 
egg 7 consisting of an outer membrane containing a semifluid, albumi- 
nous (white -of -egg-like) substance called the vitellus, in which floats a 
similar but firmer substance called the germinal vesicle, which itself con- 
tains a dark nucleus called the germinal spot — in short, a wheel within 
a wheel within a wheel. At the beginning of its journey through the Fal- 
lopian tube the ovule ripens, loses its germinal vesicle and spot, becomes 
a homogeneous body, and takes on an extra layer of albumen, or proto- 
plasm, which it picks up in the tube as a snowball gathers substance in 
rolling. It seems probable that the blood-congestion and nervous ex- 
citement attendant upon coition is often the cause of the rupture of an 
ovarian follicle, and that it so happens that an ovule escapes about the 
same time that the seminal fluids of the male are deposited at the mouth 
of the womb. Then, while the ovule is being gently wafted toward the 
womb from above, there are millions of spermatozoa starting at the 
mouth of the womb and fighting their way, in a vigorous contest for 
speed and supremacy, through the channel of the womVs neck and 
cavity, in the eager search for that one infinitesimal little egg. The 
ovule measures only about one-two-hundredth of an inch in diameter, 
but the spermatozoon is still smaller. The latter may be compared to a 
tadpole, having an oval, flattened, wedge-shaped head, or body, with a 
long, slender, filiform, or thread-like tail. The head measures about one- 
six-thousandth of an inch, and the whole length is one-six-hundredth to 
one-four-hundredth of an inch. Dr. W. T. Lusk writes of them : "The 
spermatozoa do not simply float in the seminal fluid, but possess the 
capacity of moving from place to place, as though endowed with volition. 
Indeed, as the observer sees them advance, now singly and now in 
shoals, now diving down and then rising again to the surface, now 
avoiding some obstacle or skilfully picking their way between masses 
of epithelium, it is difficult to resist the conviction that they are really, 
what they were long supposed to be, distinct organisms, capable of a cer- 
tain degree of voluntary action ; but there is little doubt at the present 
day that the undulatory movements of the tail, which furnish the pro- 
pelling force, are due to purely molecular changes, similar to those which 
give rise to the amoeboid movements of protoplasm or the oscillations of 
the hair-like processes of ciliated epithelium." Thus their motion is 



INSTRUMENTAL IN PERPETUATING THE RACE. fi3g 

compared to that of the cilia? of the tube, which bear along the ovule 
toward the womb, for such cilia?, when detached, will move about free 
as spermatozoa ; but since spermatozoa are very numerous and very vig- 
orous in their movements, and, further, since it is possible for them to 
continue these movements several days under favorable conditions (as in 
the womb), it is not difficult to understand how, when a million are 
striking out in all possible directions, a few should discover even so small 
a body as the ovule. One observer has calculated that a spermato- 
zoon can travel one inch in seven and a half minutes, and at this rate, 
assuming that it follows the most direct route, not more than thirty 
minutes would be required for it to reach the ovule and produce con- 
ception. The meeting and coalescence of these two elements constitutes 
fecundation, impregnation, conception, or pregnancy. Considering the 
coadaptation of delicate and intricate parts and functions necessary 
to make fecundation possible, it becomes easy to suggest many causes 
for sterility, as inactive or diseased ovaries, strictured or obstructed 
Fallopian tubes, dislocation of parts, constriction of the neck of the 
womb or plugging of its opening by dried mucus, or the presence of 
acid or acrid secretions that may impede the progress or destroy the 
activity of spermatozoa. It is also known that spermatozoa may lack the 
vigor necessary to fecundation, and it is supposable that sterility may be 
due in some cases to molecular incompatibility between ovules and sper- 
matozoa. (See discussion of " Temperaments " on page 805.) 

The ovule and spermatozoa have been traced to their place of meeting 
in the tube ; what next ? Many spermatozoa find their way into the 
ovule (probably through pores in its outer membrane, for such have been 
discovered in ova of fishes and insects), and become lost or dissolved 
in its substance. The ovum, now fecundated, develops a new nucleus, 
this soon divides into two, the two become four, four make sixteen, and 
so on until there is a thorough " segmentation n of the yolk. The cells 
thus produced condense under the egg-membrane, leaving a clear fluid 
within. These cells agglomerate in what is called a "blastodermic 
membrane," composed at first of two, and later of four, strata or layers 
of cells. On one part of the sphere (ovum) the cells thicken in a germi- 
nating area, in which soon appears the "primitive trace" of an organ- 
ized being. Then follow changes, evolutions, contortions, transforma- 
tion scenes, extremely difficult to follow or describe, and wonderful 
beyond any other process of life. In short, the ovum depends for 
awhile, like a hen's egg, on its own internal substance and vital re- 
sources, and in eight to ten days from the time of conception finds its 
way into the womb, where it finds a nidus in the soft, tumefied mucous 
membrane, that makes a sort of nest for it. The primitive trace becomes 



634 



THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 



an embryo, which very early begins the development of a nervous sys- 
tern and a system of blood-vessels, and puts forth a sac-like projection 
with which to establish a relationship with the mother. 

The first attachment between the ovum and the womb is effected by 
hollow, slender projections from the outer membrane of the ovum, called 
the chorion, and these tendrils or rootlets are called the villi or villosi- 
ties of the chorion. By the third week the whole surface of the chorion 
is covered with a dense mass of these rootlets, which take root or hold 
in the soft mucous membrane of the womb, for this in the meantime 
has been accommodating itself to its charge, the ovum, by projecting 
itself in all directions about it, enveloping or surrounding it with what 
is called a " decidua," and thus providing a soil or ground from which 
the absorbent villi of the chorion may draw nourishment. This is, how- 
ever, but one of the temporary- expedients by which the ovum is enabled 
Fi 154 to gain material for growth ; for when 

the embryo has put forth its sac-like 
projection, containing two arteries and 
a vein, the villi are provided with capil- 
lary blood-vessels, and take on unusual 
growth in one part while disappearing 
elsewhere, so that the ovum becomes 
bald, or smooth, except in the one spot, 
where it forms a pretty close attachment 
to the lining of the womb, and this is 
called the "placenta," and makes the 
bulk of the "after-birth," which, hav- 
ing served its purpose, is thrown away 
(burned) when the child is born. The 
attachment of the embryo to the placenta by means of the umbilical 
cord is illustrated in Fig. 154. The blood-vessels from the embryo, 
when they reach the placenta, do not run into those of the womb, but 
there is a close commingling of the two, comparable to clasping of hands. 
In the fourth week the embryo is about one-third of an inch long as 
it lies, but is nearly an inch from top of head to tip of tail ; first traces 
are shown of eyes, ears, arms, and legs. By the twelfth week it has 
grown to three inches in length and weighs about an ounce ; the placenta 
is well formed, and to it the embryo is attached by the "umbilical 
cord ; " the ovum fills and distends the womb, and its outer membranes 
have coalesced with the membranes of the womb, forming one sac, in 
which the embryo floats in the "amniotic fluid" during the rest of 
" gestation " and until the " waters break " and labor begins. During 
the fifth month the foetus becomes fully formed, though its head re- 




EMBKYO OF FORTY-FIVE DAYS. 



THE PHYSIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION, 
Embryonic Life or Foetal Development. 



[ARRANGED TO ACCOMPANY PLAIN HOME TALK.— PAGE 634.] 



PLATE IV. 
Fig. 1. 

Fig. 2. 
Fig. 3. 

Fig. 4. 
Fig. 7. 

Fig. 8. 
Fig. 9- 

Fig. 10. 

Fig. 11. 
Fig. 12. 



PLATE V. 

Fig. 13. 

Fig. 16. 
Fig. 17. 

Fig. 18. 

Fig. 19. 

PLATE VI. 
Fig. 20. 
Fig. 21. 



DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Spermatozoa — the vital, reproductive elements of the 
male, as seen in field of misroscope 
The ovule or the unimpregnated ovum of the female* 
Fecundation, or the union of the female and the male 
germs. 

5 & 6. Segmentation of the vitellus or internal mass 
of the ovum, forming what is called the "mulberry 
mass" of cells. 

The blastodermic membrane, composed of contiguous 
polygonal cells, on one part of which there appears a 
h * germinating area " and primitive trace — the first in- 
dication of an embryo. 

An embryo located in the mucous membrane of the 
womb, and being enclosed by projected portions of it 
— the "deeidua." 

An embryo at three weeks exposed by dissection of its 
membranes, of which the outer one is the cherion with 
its projecting suckers or villi. 

An embryo at four weeks, showing disproportionately 
large head. 

Head and face of embryo at four weeks. 
Embryo as it lies in womb cavity, attached by umbilical 
cord and placenta. 

[Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, are greatly magnified, — 

the originals being only visible by aid of microscope. 

Figures 8, 9, & 10 are about "life size."] 

14 & 15. Development of face ; fifth, sixth and seventh 
week. 

Embryo of dog at sixth week, comparing it with the 
next figure, and showing striking similarities. 
Embryo of human being at eight week. The position 
and shape of brain and spinal cord are indicated in 
light blue tint. 

Embryo of human being at ninth week, one-third 
actual size. 

Embryo of twelfth week — chorionic membrane dis- 
sected off, leaving it in the amniotic membrane. 

Foetus at " full term," just previous to time of birth. 
Twin pregnancy, each foetus in its own membranes. 



PLATE IV 




PLATE V 




14. 



15. 


















16. 



17. 



18. 




PLATE VI. 




INSTRUMENTAL IN PERPETUATING THE RACE. 635 

mains disproportionately large ; it weighs about a pound, and its move- 
ments beo-in to be felt by the mother. In its further growth the head 
waits for other parts of the body to attain well-proportioned dimensions, 
and the tissues become firmer. If prematurely born, during the seventh 
or eighth month, life may, in some cases, by extreme care, be preserved, 
but " full term " is reached at the end of the ninth month, or in about 
two hundred and seventy-five days, when, if all goes well, the foetus is 
born into the world head first, though still attached by the umbilical 
cord and placenta, These come away as the "after-birth," the child is 
separated from them by cutting the cord a few inches from its body, 
after tying the cord to prevent bleeding, and in a short time the part of 
the cord left on the child withers away, leaving the navel. The child 
at birth averages about seven pounds in weight and twenty-one inches 
in length ; but there are all sizes, from one pound to sixteen. 

Their Influence on the Social Position of Women, 

'• Might makes right," or rather might overpowers right in every commu- 
nity where the moral standard is not sufficiently elevated to make might the 
conservator of right. We have seen in the essay on the influence of the 
sexual organs on physical development, how the ovaries of woman ehminate 
from her the qualities we find in an athlete, and how the testicles of man 
secrete and prevent the wholesale waste of those qualities, by which phy- 
siological law woman is made less powerful than her brother — man. Could 
" angels of light, or ministers of darkness," have believed that man would have 
taken advantage of the fact to oppress and ever keep in a secondary position 
his less powerful companion ? Yet such is the disgraceful spectacle pre- 
sented in all history. Where we find even a partial exception, it is not due 
to the supposed humanizing influence of what is improperly called Chris- 
tian civilization. In the traditions of the past, we read of a race of Amazons 
who maintained an ascendency over, and isolation from, men by their practice 
inarms. " They lived," says a writer, "near the river Thermadon (now 
Termah), in Cappadocia, just south of the Black Sea." "They never had 
any commerce with the opposite sex, except for the purpose of propagation, 
visiting the neighboring people for a few days at a time when necessary 
for this. The male children were given to their fathers, but the females 
were carefully educated with their mothers in warlike labors ; their right 
breast was burned off that they might hurl the javelin more effectually." 
Brave women ! I wish their spirits, clothed in their pagan bodies, and 
armed with the javelin, might descend to earth to-day and enfranchise their 
sex, who, after many centuries of pagan civilization before Christ, and nearly 
nineteen hundred years of Christian civilization, have yet to permanently 
attain the position of equality which they enjoyed among the barbarous 



636 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

tribes of ancient Germany and Scandinavia^ before Christian teachers ever 
penetrated their wild abodes. Look at the facts which history presents, my 
fellow-men, and blush for the honor, the magnanimity, the humanity of our 
sex. 

Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher, said: "There are three classes of 
persons who cannot act for themselves ; these are the slave, the child, and 
the woman. The slave haa no will, that of the child is incomplete, and 
that of the woman powerless." But long before Aristotle's time, accepting 
the narratives of the Old Testament, behold how the rights of women were 
ignored 1 The patriarchs of old treated woman with less consideration 
than they did their herds. Among the early oriental tribes, and in many 
of the nations of Asia to-day, she was and is sold like a cow or an ass ; not 
by some supernatural being, but by man. She descended with the estate of 
man to his nearest relative, and was in all essential respects the property 
of man. In the early history of Rome and Greece she was treated as a child ; 
man was her sovereign. In the later periods of the Roman republic, when 
she was allowed to participate in a measure in legislation, when, in brief, she 
was attaining equality with man, the latter, jealous of his declining suprem- 
acy, tamely submitted to the ambition of Augustus, and allowed him to 
change the republic to an empire, doubtless, among the knowing ones, with 
the view of once more grappling woman, and replacing her under his tyran- 
nical control. At least one of the first developments of his "policy" was 
to make regulations curtailing the rights and privileges of woman. As if to 
"add insult to injury," men said then, and our sex publish it occasionally 
to-day, that the debauchery of women caused the fall of the republic. 
Probably some, may be a great many, of the women were publicly ajid noto- 
riously "bad." If so, what must the men have been ? There are certain 
vices and excesses which women cannot practise without the equal partici- 
pation of men ; but supposing woman had not yet learned to make good 
use of freedom and partial equality, we nevertheless find that her temporary 
elevation produced the most noteworthy crop of great men of any country 
or age. 

"In the beginning of the empire," says Ricord, "Rome was at its height 
and splendor; its dominion had been extended over all the nations of 
Europe, excepting some powerful northern tribes that still maintained their 
independence. Within the limits of its empire were England, France, 
Spain, and all the states of Italy, Greece, the country now occupied by 
Turkey in Europe, and many other nations ; its sway extended over Syria, 
Asia Minor, Palestine, Arabia, Parthia, and the northern part of Africa ; 
over Morocco on the west, and to Ethiopia on the east. Throughout all 
this country the people of Rome had extended the arts of painting, sculp- 
ture, and architecture, so that a multitude of cities in various parts of Europe, 



INFLUENCE OX SOCIAL POSITION OF WOMEN. 637 

.. and Africa, were filled with costly temples, palaces of marble, beautiful 
statues, and valuable paintings ; but Rome itself, was, of all cities in the 
world, the most wonderful. Ic was fifty miles in circumference, and con- 
tained four millions of inhabitants. * * * In polite learning the Romans 
made proficiency, which has never been excelled. Besides Virgil, 
Horace, and Ovid, poets whose names are familiar to every one, Livy. the 
historian, graced this period. In short tht -: rflcct a lustre 

on Hu 

Now, this remarkable prosperity, this unexampled proficiency in knowl- 
edge and art, were the products of the republic : these great men were 
conceived and cradled by the women who lived just previous to. or at the 
time of the fail of the republic. Ovid was born in the very year which 
witnessed the fall of the Roman consuls. Cicero perished in the same year, 
and to the gradual elevation of woman during the last century or two of the 
republic, alone can be attributed that development of the human mind 
whicn led to the glory of Rome : for was it not in the wombs of her matrons, 
under the inspiring influence of female culture and liberty, that these great 
men were conceived, and the elements of their greatness formed? Although 
not allowed equal opportunities with the men of those times, women never 
before nor since enjoyed so much political liberty and personal freedom, 
and to this freedom is attributed by some writers me of the repub- 

lic! TVhat evidence is there of it ! Men are willing to grasp this weapon 
and flourish it in the faces of those who advocate the enfranchisement of 
women. 

I imagine that lean see'the more probable reasons for' the fall of the 
Roman republic, and the rise of the empire. One of them has been already 
incid; ted; another maybe given, as the ambition, the shrewd- 

ness, and powerful influence of the of there is another which 

may possibly be mightier than all the rest. It is this: Rome was an 
attractive republic, just as ours is to-day. You see what Ricord says of her, 
and what historians genera' :hat great nation. Her greatness, her 

prosperity, her comparative freedom, attracted not only other peoples, but 
other nations to her. Those who did not fall into her lap voluntarily, were 
one by one brought in forcibly: for Rome was aggressive — ruinously so. 
These peoples— these nations had not been schooled as the early Romans 
had been in the political wisdom necessary to maintain such a republic ; they 
were indeed like young profligates who inherit wealth instead of making 
it : they do not know how to preserve it as those who gather experience 
with their material accumulations ; and when Rome became so sick with 
an overloaded stomach, with diverse opinions, incongruous political ele- 
ments, vices, and personal ambition, that it could no longer survive, it 
perished just as our republic will, if it does not possess a sufficiently power* 



638 TH E SEXUAL ORGANS. 

ful political stomach to digest the influx of foreign and heterogeneous elements 
which are entering it, not only from the civilized nations of Europe, but from 
those which have for ages isolated themselves from the rest of mankind in 
China and Japan. As a physician, accustomed to the study of constitutional 
peculiarities and diseases, I have a good deal of faith in our national 
strength, and think she will survive the engorgement, if she only takes that 
which voluntarily falls into her mouth, without glutton- like reaching for 
all the outlying nations and islands which present exterior attractions ! 
But if she does, and then falls, it certainly cannot be laid to the possession 
of too great liberty. by American women, unless a radical change comes 
over the sentiments and customs of the people. But more about American 
women by and by> For the present we will look farther back. 

In the patriarchal days of Rome, woman was regarded as morally and 
physically inferior to man. This sentiment was in striking contrast to that 
of the northern barbarians, who regarded her as simply physically inferior 
to her masculine companion ; and as one traces back the origin of the 
customs and sentiments of to-day, he will be surprised to find that what 
share of liberty the women of Europe and America now enjoy, is mainly a 
legacy from the rude people of northern Europe. True, the Romans became 
infected with the " heresy" of woman's rights at an early day, and gradu- 
ally — very slowly — improved the condition of the' sex. Then, as before re- 
lated, women grew more intelligent, more influential, and Rome grew 
mightier. How, indeed, could it be otherwise ? Were not the women the 
mothers of her sons ? The first symptom of jealousy of the rising power 
of woman, if I mistake not, appeared in the family of the Catos, who were 
disposed to abridge her pecuniary independence. This small cloud which 
arose in the republic grew into a storm of sufficient magnitude at the be- 
ginning of the empire, to overwhelm woman in the reign of Augustus. This 
reaction was nearly at its height under Tiberius, considering which, it is not 
strange that the apostles were infected with the prevailing anti-woman's 
rights mania. Saint Paul, according to his own admissions, occasionally 
gave forth a sentiment "on his own hook;" the following must be one of 
them : — " Let your women keep silence in churches ; for it is not permitted 
unto them to speak ; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as 
also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their 
husbands at home ; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church." 

Now, if old Saint Paul was a good Methodist, or a superintendent in any 
Sunday school in the present century, he would be mortally ashamed of the 
above. Indeed, all that was written derogatory to the true position of 
"woman by the apostles may be directly traced to the popular and all per- 
vading sentiment of the times in which they lived. Nor did these prejudices 
die with them. Tertullian, one of the distinguished Latin fathers, born 



INFLUENCE ON SOCIAL POSITION OF WOMEN. 639 

.fter Christ one hundred and sixty years, after his conversion and ordination 
/s a presbyter, said to women: " You ought always to be clothed in mourn- 
ing and in rags, presenting to the eyes only a penitent, bathed in tears, 
thus atoning the crime of having lost human kind. Woman, thou art the 
daughter of the devil. It is you who have corrupted the one whom Satan 
dared not attack face to face ; it is on your account that Jesus Christ is 
dead." 

The Church of the fourth century decided that woman should be sub- 
ordinate to man. and that man only was created in the image of God. The 
canonic law excluded her from all but strictly domestic avocations. She 
could not even appear as a witness ; her word could not be accepted under 
oath. Thus woman was debased even by the church, until she became 
almost a slave. Gradually, as Boman civilization became mixed with 
northern barbarism, after the disintegration of the empire, the sentiments 
of civilized Europe in regard to woman slowly changed. The adoration 
which the intelligent Germans and Scandinavians exhibited for the physi- 
cally weaker sex entered little by little into the social life which overspread 
the continent and tempered the prejudices of the people and the church. 
We are far from being up to the old Germanic standard as yet in Europe c: 
America, but let us hope that we are moving steadily toward it. If we 
will but add the spirit — not the arbitrary letter — of Christianity to the old 
barbaric sentiment, woman will emerge from her thraldom, and will stand 
morally, socially, and politically equal with man ; for no birth mark, be it 
variation in bodily confirmation, or in color of skin, can justly fix a limit to 
the development and social freedom of any member of the human family. 
All such distinctions are arbitrary and self-evidently unjust ; they cannot 
in a true republic; they die with kings. If woman is morally equal 
to man, it is simply upon the savage rule that "might makes right," that 
she occupies a subordinate position to him. I will not occupy time and 
space here with the presentation of woman's wrongs. Some of them will 
find place in other portions of this volume. It seems hardly necessary to 
allude to them at all, as they are presented in the every-day drama and 
tragedy of life. Those of my sex who are so blinded by selfishness, and 
of the opposite sex who are so contented with empty flattery that they 
cannot see them, must slumber on for the present, unconscious of the fact 
that one of the prime causes of crime and human misery is attributable to 
imperfect propagation, and that we can never hope for strong-minded sons, 
until the world is filled with strong-minded mothers. No reasonable mind 
will question that if a certain degree of progress is made when only one- 
half of a people are permitted to develop themselves mentally and physically 
up to their highest possible culture, just twice that progress may be made 
when the other half is allowed equal advantages. It is a popular delusion 



640 'J™ SEXUAL ORGANS. 

that American women haye as many, if not the same privileges as men* 
The conservative man exclaims, "¥e worship them as angels;" and 
thoughtless women of affluence, and less favored women in humbler posi- 
tions, bidding for masculine applause, respond, "We have all the rights we 
want." Gallantry is mistaken for justice, and soft soap for equity. Even 
these exist only on the surface. They compose the cream that rises to the 
top of polite society, and this is fed only to the handsome, rich, and other- 
wise fortunate ; all below is skim milk, and this is dealt out sparingly and 
grudgingly to toiling women, unhappy wives, and to all, indeed, who most 
need sympathy and help. But let no man who suddenly awakens to this 
injustice, suppose in his arrogance that he can give woman her rights. The 
very fact that men talk of allowing women this or that liberty is evidence 
in itself that authority has been usurped. As well might a pickpocket talk 
of giving a porte-monnaie to somebody from whom he had clandestinely 
filched it. I tell you, reader, we men have no rights to give woman ; she 
possesses naturally the same rights that we do. If she does not enjoy 
them, some one is a robber. Who is the thief? Let him make restitution 
with the full understanding that he is entitled to neither reward nor thanks. 
With all her physical disabilities, as compared with man, woman can ac- 
complish more for herself and her sex in this competitive world without his 
sympathy and tvith her freedom, than she can without her freedom and with 
his sympathy and support. But whether she can or not is none of our 
masculine business, nor have we any right to stand in the path of her prog- 
ress, to discuss the possible effect upon society, if she be allowed to pass. 
Here again might is interposed to trammel right. There can be no question 
of expediency where one of justice is involved. The establishment of im- ( 
partial rules of justice can never overthrow a social system that is grounded^ 
in truth, nor imperil the permanency of a true republic. Let it be impressed 
upon the minds of the rising generation that man holds his superior position 
wholly in consequence of his greater physical strength ; that the same brute 
force which made her a salable commodity in the early history of the world, 
makes her the plaything and foot-ball of man to-day ; and if our children in 
the light of the nineteenth century have any justice, any filial love, or, both 
being absent, any sense of shame, the time draws nigh when the world-wide 
oppression of woman will exist only as a disgraceful blot on the pages of 
human history. 

Their Influence on Civilization. 

The origin of man is one of the great questions which agitates the scien- 
tific mind, and, while avoiding its discussion in these pages, it is necessary 
for a starting-point, that I state two or three of the prominent prevailing 
opinions. The popular conviction among the church people of Christendom 



INFLUENCE ON CIVILIZATION. 641 

is, that the race sprang from one pair — Adam and Eve. Among the phi- 
losophers, there are divers opinions — some accepting the Bible history, 
others holding that there must have been, originally, various tribes of men 
created at the outset, just as there were varieties of lower animals, vegeta- 
bles, fruits, and flowers, each adapted to the latitudes in which, since the 
begiuning of the historical period, they were found; others believing that 
the human being was the product of gradual development from animal life 
beneath him. Whichever opinion is entertained, I believe that it is con- 
ceded by all that there is no very connected or consecutive history of the 
human family as a whole from the time of his creation, down, at least, to the 
days of Moses. At the very outset of Bible history, we find Cain taking to 
himself a woman of whom no previous account was given. 

The first traditions that historians gathered up presented a variety of tribes 
living without law or morals. According to the testimony of Herodotus, five 
hundred years before Christ, and Diodorus and Solinus, the first century 
before Christ, as given us by Paul Gide, " among the wandering tribes 
of Africa marriage was unknown. Men and women lived together like 
beasts of the field. When a child reached maturity the people caused him 
to be delivered to the man whose disposition most resembled his, as this 
resemblance was thought to be sufficient evidence that he was the child's 
father. These savage customs of the tribes of Africa were also found on 
the shores of the Euxine (Black) Sea, and on the great plateau of Scythia. 
Here women and children, according to Strabo, were held in common. 
Xenophon and other writers, flourishing between two and three hundred 
years before Christ, speaking of other people of Asia, present them as 
holding to the same customs." * 

u In ancient Europe, " continues Paul Gide, substantially, " traces of this 
barbarity seemed to have been rapidly effaced. At the time of the classic 
writers we find them in only a few remote regions at the foot of the Cauca- 
sus mountains, on the shores of the Euxine (Black) Sea, on the coast of 
Dalmatia (east of the Adriatic Sea in southern Europe), and in some of the 
remote islands, as the Balearic islands (now Majorca and Minorca), Brittany, 
and Ireland. But in the more civilized nations, Greece and Italy have pre- 
served in their traditions the memory of a state of promiscuity which might 
have preceded the institution of marriage. At Athens, according to Clear- 
cus, writing the fourth century before Christ, the relations between the sexes 
had been without rule and without law; prior to the invention of marriage 
by Cecrops, no child could recognize his natural father. The historian, The- 

* It should not be inferred by the reader that the periods in which these historians 
wrote, were cotemporaneous with those in which the historical facts presented by them 
occurred. As will be seen by and by, we have the history of marriage for over five 
thousand years. What they presented were the early traditions which they were able to 
gather up in the times in which they lived. 



642 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

opompus, three hundred and fifty years before Christ, speaks in about the 
same terms of the early inhabitants of Italy : ' Among the Tyrrlieni,' says 
this writer, ( the custom willed that all women should be common; all 
children were also trained in common, for no one could tell of which child 
he was the father.' Testimony to this effect is abundant, and what is most 
remarkable, it is unanimous." " All writers agree," continues Gide, "that 
marriage did not exist at the earliest stages of human society, but has been 
the work of civilization, and its first great gift." The closing part of Mons. 
Gide's statement may meet with some dissenters, unless Christianity and 
civilization make the institution more perfect than it now is. 

It appears from the foregoing that the human family, like the birds and 
the beasts, at the beginning of creation, held all things in common ; exactly 
when some smart people first took it into their heads to fence off the portion 
of the planet they inhabited, history does not tell. But the moment it was 
done, and this patch of ground was understood to belong to Joshua, that to 
Jeremiah, and the other to Ezekiel, it became necessary to institute regula- 
tions governing the intercourse of the sexes ; otherwise, man would occupy 
a more advantageous position than woman. He could plant the germ of a 
new being with as little care as he would drop a kernel of corn in the mel- 
low earth for germination ; but for weary months she must carry about in 
her body this growing, living freight — must lie down in the fullness of time 
and give forth the fruit of her womb, and then for many months thereafter 
nurse and take care of the helpless product. Here, then, we first begin to 
see the influence of the sexual organs making itself felt in the invention and 
development of civilization. 

From the best sources of information attainable, it seems reasonable to 
infer that no ideas of the rights of women, further than those relating to 
her support, entered into the undeveloped heads of the early fathers of the 
race, for the first constituents of family organization — if we except those 
in the case of Adam and Eve — revealed by tradition or history, were found 
to present one man and just as many women as he could maintain. He 
counted them by the hundreds, as he did his flocks and herds. This mo- 
nopoly of the women by the opulent caused so great a scarcity, that the 
female sex became a merchantable commodity — part of an estate. Hence 
polygamy among the successful tribes resulted in compulsatory monogamy 
(the union of one woman to one man) among those who were less so. As 
these family associations became more thoroughly organized, and as the 
expenses of living increased, they were inevitably confronted finally by 
men who could not support one woman. Hence there arose at that early 
period two customs of which ancient history gives an account, namely, 
polyandry and prostitution. The former consisted of one woman and sev- 
eral husbands, and attained no very permanent foothold, although there are 



INFLUENCE ON CIVILIZATION. 643 

relics of this sort of family organization still existing, as will be seen m a 
subsequent chapter. The latter was inaugurated by the advent in every 
community, where customs or laws protected the family association, of a 
class of women who would gratify the amative appetites of men for a 
pecuniary consideration. No doubt, originally, the women adopting this 
profession were mainly the homely or ugly ones, who were not available in 
the matrimonial market at any price. In the lapse of ages, however, pros- 
titution has incomparably outgrown polyandry, having increased so steadily 
that wherever the laws of civilization maintain with the greatest rigidity 
the institutions of marriage, prostitution is found side by side with it. Not 
only so, but in early times prostitution was openly encouraged by the heads 
of families as necessary for the protection of the chastity of their own 
women. In Rome, under Augustus, the laws did not punish prostitution, 
but visited death upon the adulterers ; they also held out rewards to 
the fathers of large families, and this combination of circumstances actu- 
ally led ambitious husbands who were physically incompetent of becom- 
ing fathers to cause their wives to become public prostitutes, in order that 
numerous progeny might be obtained, and therewith the promised political 
favor and reward. In ancient Greece, in the days of Socrates, courtesans 
"were the honored companions of their statesmen and philosophers." 
" That distinguished philosopher," says a writer, "not only visited them 
himself, but took his wife and daughters, that they also might have the 
advantage of their imperior elegance and refinement ; for these courtesans, 
who were foreigners, were rich, educated, and highly accomplished, and in 
these respects superior to the secluded and uncultured wives of Greece. 
They occupied the same social position in ancient society, that is now 
occupied by our distinguished female poets, novelists, actresses, singers, 
and artists." 

Lady Augusta Hamilton, who wrote in the beginning of the present cen- 
tury, spoke of public-houses in the Netherlands which were licensed by the 
state for the reception of girls of the town. To these places, remarked 
this writer, " people of character resorted openly without fear or shame ; 
there was as little scandal in being seen in one of them as being seen at a 
play-house or any other place of amusement. The entertainments at these 
places were music and dancing ; those not engaged in dancing were seated 
around the room with their paramours. Any one choosing to retire with one 
of them, there were small rooms adjoining, furnished with a bed and other 
conveniences. Their entrance to and exit from these rooms attracted no 
more attention than if they had stepped out to speak with a friend. It waa 
the opinion that if they did not indulge the people in this particular, they 
should never be able to keep their wives chaste, and therefore of two evils 
they chose the least." 



644 THE SEXUAL ORGANS. 

In Japan, to-day, as will be seen further on, public women, or courtesans, 
may contract honorable marriage or return to the family hearth. Society 
does not point the finger of shame at them, and I make bold to say that if, 
as some contend, "prostitution is a necessary evil," this treatment of this 
unfortunate class is just as it should be. If our civil institutions cannot 
be so amended as to overcome the evil, or to put the proposition as it prac- 
tically presents itself — if prostitution is an inevitable companion of our 
civilization — why, then, it is enough that the doomed women who must fill 
this social chasm be physically cursed, without being morally and socially 
condemned. For reasons presented in the essay on Prostitution in Part L, 
it is hardly possible that they can avoid becoming the victims of disease. 
Must they, in addition to all this physical misery, be social outcasts — candi- 
dates for physical, social, and moral damnation — coupled with the certainty 
of election by the action and voice of both sexes and the decree of a mer- 
ciful Providence ? All this, too, with the preservation of the personal 
respectability and possible sanctification of the souls of the men who have 
reduced them to this condition, and retain them in it? Poor women 1 
Until mankind learns how to redeem you, the tears of sainted mothers 
will so whiten your stains that our gracious Father will not put his finger 
upon them. 

In our civilization we have a heterogeneous mixture of the elements of 
past social organizations. We practically adopt the old Scandinavian idea 
that woman is physically the inferior of man — the old patriarchal Roman 
sentiment that she is morally inferior, for we attribute all her short com- 
ings, physical or moral, to the alleged fact that she is the " weaker vessel." 
In law governing our family relations, descent of property, etc., we partly 
adopt the old Scandinavian rule ; in the complexity of all law, and our 
adhesion to it without too fine regard for equity, the peculiarities of the 
Roman empire under Augustus and Tiberius; in our sexual practices, 
privately — not publicly — the Greeks at the time of Socrates ; in our prodi- 
gality and display, the Romans of the * 'Augustan " age ; in our personal 
adornments, the rings and furbelows of the pagan world; in our religion, a 
mixture of the morals of the Mosaic dispensation, the word rather than the 
spirit of the Christian dispensation, and the idolatry of the worshippers 
of the golden calf. In our marriage customs we have the monogamy 
of the ancient Romans, the polygamy of the old Israelites, the omnigamy 
of the second century ; and in our prostitution, practically the polyandry 
of some of the ancient communities of Africa. In our languages, with 
one common Latin root, we have as many branches and bendings as 
ever graced a water willow. Then we have gathered up all the bad habits 
of early oriental and European life, and added to them the chewing and 
smoking practices of the aborigines of America. While it may not appear 



INFLUENCE OX CIVILIZATION 645 

on investigation that we have, in forming our civilization, gathered only the 
dregs of the past, it is certain we have not taken the cream. TTe havo not 
fallen further short of the vices of oriental nations than we have of the 
virtues of the ancient Germans. 

In conclusion, allow me to remind the reader, that to fully observe the 
influence of the sexual organs on civilization, it is necessary to peruse the 
second essay in this chapter, and the one immediately preceding this. In 
the light of the three essays we see that they gave to man physical 
power over woman — that these powers were used to make woman hardly 
more than a slave in the early ages, and a il second fiddle " to mau in 
nearly all ages and countries. IVhen at any period she seemed likely to 
take an equal place with man, a reaction came in the masculine mind that 
remanded her to a secondary position. His advantage in physical strength 
has made him her master in the organization and continuation of unequal 
marriage regulations; in the formation of every plank in our social system; 
in the construction and working of our political machinery. And in this 
injustice is undoubtedly the concealed wormwood that embitters social life 
so extensively wherever our so-called Christian civilization prevails. 




CHAPTER III 

HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

HE customs governing the intercourse of the sexes 
previous to the establishment of any arbitrary rules, 
are given in the last essay of the preceding chapter. 
We now come to the first attainable historical accounts 
of social or legal regulations appertaining thereto. 
The first man to inaugurate any civil code for the 
governance of man and woman in their sexual relations that the 
author is able to trace out was Menes, the first king of Egypt, who 
flourished about three thousand five hundred years before Christ. 
Some historians say three thousand eight hundred years. Previous 
to this epoch we have no account of marriage whatever, excepting 
that given in the Old Testament, at which period men took to themselves 
wives and concubines, according to their individual proclivities, with- 
out legal restraint. The next lawgiver we encounter is Fu-hi, who invented 
a marriage system for the Chinese, two thousand six hundred and fifty 
years before Christ. Next we find Moses, the leader and legislator of the 
Israelites, about the sixteenth century before Christ, laying down a va 
riety of rules for the regulation of intercourse between man and woman. 
Cecrops, 1550 B. c, concocted a code for the Greeks ; and the Romans 
at the very outset of their birth into the family of nations, are said to have 
had some stringent social — not legal — regulations for the governance of the 
sexes. Most of the northern nations of Europe were also discovered at 
the period of the Roman conquests to have rules as inviolable as law in 
the construction and maintenance of the family. In the new world we can- 
not go far back in this investigation ; but we find that the early Peruvians 
attributed the origin of their marriage system to Majico Capac, in the twelfth 
century after Christ ; and the Spanish invasion of Mexico, in the beginning 
of the sixteenth century, revealed the existence of a marriage institution 
sustained by law in the then most powerful empire in America. 

In this chapter, I shall endeavor to give as brief and connected a history 
as possible of the rise and progress of the principal marriage systems which 
started with the dawn of civilization, and which have been handed down to 
us through successive ages. In collecting the facts upon which the essays 



HISTORY OF POLYGAMY. 647 

given in this chapter and those contained in the one which follows on the 
marriage customs of to-day are based, I beg leave to say that neither time, 
patience, nor expense have been spared to make the historical matter com- 
plete, and though it is not as much so as I could wish, owing to the scarcity of 
reliable works giving information on the subject, it is probably more suc- 
cinct, comprehensive, and connected than can be found in any volume printed 
in the English language at the present writing. Possibly some inaccura- 
cies may occur, for most of this volume has been written in the intervals 
of fatiguing professional labors. I am greatly indebted to the industry of 
my wife for translating from the dry legal pages of a new and able French 
work, some of the most valuable facts herein presented. This work is 
entitled "Study upon the Private Condition of Woman in Ancient and 
Modern Law," etc., by Paul Gide, and was undoubtedly written for the legal 
profession. The work having received the approval of the French Academy 
of Science, it may be regarded as reliable authority. I am under great ob- 
ligations to a clergyman of this city, for having called my attention to this 
work, and for the use of probably the only copy in this country at this 
time ; also to the same gentleman for commending to my perusal a work 
entitled the " History of European Morals, from Augustus to Charlemagne," 
by William Edward Hartpole Lecky, M. A. 

Many facts have been obtained from the American Bureau of Literary 
Reference, Mr. Frank H. Norton, formerly connected with one of our large 
city libraries, having been employed by that useful institution to collect 
them especially for these pages. Many more have been extracted from 
standard works, musty old books, magazines, and newspapers, by the au- 
thor, who has endeavored to arrange all these detached fragmentary facts 
into a connected and entertaining history. With the foregoing introductory 
and explanatory words, the reader's attention will first be invited to the 

History of Polygamy. 

In writing any history of marriage whatever, it is difficult to avoid the 
controversy going on between the theologists and scientists as to the origin 
of man, the unity of the races, etc., and yet be thorough in its presentation. 
But the author pleads lack of ability, preparation, time, and space to enter 
into this limitless arena of debate. Whether or not the reader accepts the 
belief entertained by so many in Christendom of the descent of the whole 
human family from one pair, traditions both sacred and profane point to 
polygamy as the oldest form of marriage. It Adam had but one wife, " cir- 
cumstances over which he had no control " ( ! ) might have prevented him 
from having more, for we do not descend far in the history of his family 
before we find Lamech with two. Then, in Noah's time, we find, accord- 
ing to Genesis [Chapter 6], that "the sons of God saw the daughters 



648 



HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 



of men, that they were fair, and they .took them wives of all which 
they chose." These matrimonial arrangements, too. it seems, gave 
Fig. 155. birth to children which be- 

came giants, as we read a 
little further on. Following 
the old Scriptural story, the 
world became so wicked, a 
deluge came, which destroyed 
all but the family of Noah ; 
then came another forced 
period of monogamy among 
this people, the exact length 
of which cannot be ascer- 
tained from the account given 
in Genesis, which simply 
speaks of the descending 
heads of families down to 
the time of Abraham, the 
father of the Hebrews, who, 
we find, without question, 
was a polygamrst; nor is 
there any doubt that those 
who preceded him were, for 
at that period of the world's 
history women had no rights which men, white or black, felt bound to 
respect. 

Reaching Abraham, we come to a period only about two thousand years 
before Christ, and we must therefore go back a few centuries, for Egyptian 
civilization dates back considerably farther than this era. Menes is said to 
have been the founder of marriage among the Egyptians three thousand five 
hundred years before Christ. I have found it a little difficult to obtain any 
positive information as to the character of this early Egyptian marriage 
system, but feel justified in placing it in the history of polygamy, because, if 
a plurality of wives was not allowed, concubinage unquestionably was, and 
this, of course, is practically polygamy. The fact that early historians speak 
of the wife of an Egyptian king, indicates the existence of ostensible monog- 
amy. That those kings at least were aUowed concubines, would inferen- 
tially appear, from several facts which might be quoted if necessary, but 
perhaps it is sufficient to state, that Mr. Samuel Birch, the distinguished 
hierologist, speaks of one of the early Pharaohs as having married an Asiatic 
princess, giving her the title of u Ra-neferu, the king's cMe/wife." Then, 
again, we may judge something of the habits of the Egyptians at a later 




THE POLYGAMIC FAMILY. 



HISTORY OF POLYGAMY. 649 

date, say fifteen hundred years after Menes, from the Scriptural account of 
Abraham, going down to Egypt to avoid famine, filled with terror, lest he 
should be killed by them, on account of the personal attractions of his wife 
Sarai. To avoid this peril he passed her off for his sister. So soon as they 
entered Egypt, sure enough, Pharaoh's eyes fell upon Sarai, and she was at 
once installed as a member of his household. But it so happened that every 
thing went wrong with the king, from the moment he kidnapped this He- 
brew woman, and when, on investigation, he found she was the wife of 
Abraham, and having been plagued sufficiently on her account, he seemed 
glad enough to restore her to her husband, and get rid of the whole family 
without further molesting them. 

There is reason to believe that concubinage gradually grew unpopular 
in Egyptian civilization ; for, at the time Alexander the Great penetrated 
Egypt with his conquering army, about three hundred and thirty years 
before Christ, it is said of concubinage, "though it may have been lawful, it 
was not common," and, though the "kings sometimes indulged in it, 
polygamy was at that time expressly forbidden." " According to Alex- 
ander, this system of marriage presupposes women to be slaves." 
(Query: "Was Alexander the first woman's rights man?) "Harems," 
remarks Mr. Norton, " which always formed a portion of the Persian and 
Turkish household, were unknown in Egypt ; nor were the females 
secluded from public observation, as in other oriental countries." All this last 
quoted matter, however, relates to Egypt at a comparatively recent period. 
AVe have passed the history of neighboring people with old Fu-hi, the 
originator of Chinese civilization and marriage, and the story of Hebrew 
polygamy in early times. 

AVe read that Fu-hi established civilization among the Chinese, and 
founded a system of marriage two thousand six hundred and fifty years 
before Christ. It seems to me, in the light of all the Chinese history we 
possess, and the well-known marriage customs of China to day, there can 
be no reasonable doubt that the marriage system instituted by Fu-hi was 
polygamous, at least practically so. From the earliest information we obtain 
in regard to the customs of the Chinese, we find that while the law allowed 
them but one wife, they could have as many concubines as they chose. 
Having, in a few words, disposed of Fu-hi, who lived before Abraham, we 
will now return to the "Father of the Hebrews," about two thousand 
years before Christ. The Bible account in the beginning of Gent-sis 
[Chap. 16] is as follows: " Now Sarai, Abraham's wife, bare him no 
children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was 
Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abraham. Behold now, the Lord hath 
restrained me from bearing ; I pray thee, go in unto my maid : it may be 
that I may obtain children by her. And Abraham hearkened unto the voice 
28 



650 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

of Sarai * * * and he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived." After 
a while, we find that Abraham marries another, according to chapter 25th 
of Genesis: "Then, again, Abraham took a wife, and her name was 
Keturah," by whom he had six sons. We find, too, that Abraham's pos- 
terity on the masculine side rather enlarged than restricted the plurality 
system. We perceive also that these family arrangements sometimes gave 
rise to feelings of envy and jealousy among the wivi;s. We read that 
" Reuben went, in the days of the wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in 
the field, and brought them unto his mother, Leah. Then Rachel said unto 
Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes. And she said unto 
her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken away my husband, and wouldst 
thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore 
shall he lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes. And Jacob came 
out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, 
Thou must come in unto me ; for surely I have hired thee with my son's 
mandrakes," etc. 

During the period between the times of Abraham and Moses, the mar- 
riage customs of the Hebrews were not materially altered, and according 
to Nichols, in his book on marriage, "the description of patriarchal life in 
the book of Genesis would apply with little alteration to the customs of 
most oriental countries." The second Hebrew patriarch was Isaac, and his 
son Jacob had a favorite son named Joseph, who was sold in Egypt by en- 
vious brothers. But, from the position of slave, Joseph was raised to bo 
the prime minister to one of the Pharaohs, who allowed him to bring all his 
father's family, numbering seventy males, and probably ever so many fe- 
males, into the land of Goshen, where they multiplied so rapidly, that the 
land was filled with them — according to Scriptural account — which seems 
likely under the then prevailing system of polygamy and concubinage. At 
the death of Joseph, the Egyptians commenced a series of oppressions of 
the Israelites, for by this name were the children of Jacob called. A new 
king, too, arose over Egypt, who knew not Joseph, and consequently felt 
unfriendly to his people, and jealous of their increasing number and power. 
After trying various ways to limit their increase, with no other result than 
a more rapid multiplication of them, the same as we find it in our day, in 
our treatment of the Mormons, this king ordered the midwives to slay all 
the sons born to the women of Israel ; but this proved ineffectual, for, 
according to the complaints of the midwives, the Hebrew women were too 
healthy and too smart for them, so that an opportunity was not offered the 
midwives to smother the Hebrew sons. Finally the king, about one thous- 
and six hundred years before Christ, charged all his people, that every son 
that was born should be cast into the river. About this time, Moses, 
who was to become the future lawgiver of the Israelites, was born, and 



HISTORY OF POLYGAMY. 651 

hifc mother, after hiding him for three months, made a little "boat of bul- 
rushes, slime, and pitch, and laid him in it among the flags, by the river. 
Here his sister watched him afar off*, and one of Pharaoh's daughters 
happening to visit the river side, espied the little fellow, and, taking com- 
passion on him, carefully removed him from his perilous position. The 
anxious sister, unable to control her solicitude, made her appearance and 
asked to know if she might not obtain a Hebrew woman to nurse it. 
The daughter of Pharaoh, much to her gratification, responded favorably 
to the singular proposition, and providentially Moses' own mother was 
employed, and paid wages by the daughter of the king. The further 
history of Moses may be read in the Old Testament, by those who are 
interested. I have quoted so much to show how indebted Moses was to 
woman, under God, for his preservation. First, the untiring efforts of 
his mother; then, the watchfulness of his sister; and, finally, the com- 
passion and motherly care bestowed on him by the daughter of the king. 
Surely Moses, under these circumstances, would be just to women, 
when he should become a ruler in Israel ! But was he ? 

According to Numbers [Chap. 30], a woman had no power to obligate 
herself by oath, by vow, or otherwise ; her husband or her father must in 
all cases act for her. In brief, he says, " every vow, and every binding 
oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may 
make it void." According to the Mosaic law, a man could repudiate his 
wife for the slightest cause. The wife constituted a part of the estate, and 
reverted to heirs the same as property. Moses looked upon woman as 
only an instrument of procreation. Under his laws, polygamy prevailed to 
a greater extent than in all oriental Asia. In his expedition against the 
Midianites, an immense number of prisoners were taken, and he directed 
that every male among the little ones, and that every woman who had 
known man by lying with him, should be killed, w T hile those female chil- 
dren which had not known man should be kept alive, and be divided among 
the people, the army, the priests, etc. ; and it seems that there were thirty- 
two thousand women who had not known man. From a Christian stand- 
point all this looks like shocking cruelty and injustice, and so indeed it was ; 
but in justice to Moses, it may be said, that some of his laws were more 
favorable to women, and it may be that at that age of the world he was 
kinder to the abused sex than any other ruler. We find, for instance, 
in Exodus [Chap. 21], that, " if a man sell his daughter to be a maid servant, 
she shall not go out as the men servants do. If she please not her 
master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeem- 
ed : to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing that 
he hath dealt deceitfully with her. And if lie hath betrothed her unto his 
son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters. If he take him 



652 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

another wife, her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage shall he not 
diminish. And if he do not these three unto her, then shall she go out 
free without money." 

The number of wives was not limited by Moses, but the rulings of the 
rabbis subsequently fixed it at four, after the example of the patriarch Jacob. 
He forbade the kings to have many wives, which injunction was disregarded 
by nearly all of them. He forbade the Israelites to marry aliens ; and this 
law was violated by Moses himself, who espoused an Arab. 

Some four or five hundred years after Moses, we find that King David, 
"/the man after God's own heart," disobeyed the Mosaic law in various 
ways, and besides having concubines, he committed adultery with Bath- 
sheba, the wife of Uriah, the Hittite, and, causing her husband to be slain, 
married her, and this woman became the mother of Solomon. He shut up 
ten of his concubines until the day of their death, because of their infidelity 
with his son Absalom. 

Solomon flourished about one thousand years before Christ. We find that 
he loved many strange women, together with the daughters of Pharaoh; 
women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, Hittites, and of 
other nations. He married an Egyptian princess, and it is further related 
of him, that he had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. 
It was probably his excessive matrimonial experience which led him to say 
in Ecclesiastes [Chap. 7] — "I find more bitter than death the woman, 
whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands. Whoso pleaseth 
God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her. * * * 
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not : one man among a thousand 
have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found." 

Solomon was certainly in a very peculiar situation, surrounded by one thous- 
and women ! Artemus Ward, when shut in a room with only seventeen 
widows of a departed saint at Utah, was excessively frightened, and begged 
to know if their intentions were honorable. 

In subsequent times there were various modifications of Mosaic law 
among the indwellers of Palestine. Samai, according to Gide, " had held 
that one could repudiate his wife only for adultery," but this rule was 
disregarded. When the people of Judea became subject to Roman law, a 
woman was allowed a dowry, and a wife without a dowry was considered 
only a concubine. 

According to Norton, wives and concubines of foreign origin were after a 
time "excluded from the large cities, as Jerusalem, and were driven to live 
in booths and tents on the high roads, where they plied the trade of the 
prostitute. At length they gathered around them male companions, and to 
offer inducements to the traveler, they instituted rites and ceremonies of 
the most disgusting character to Moloch, Baal, and Belphegor, who, rep- 



HISTORY OF POLYGAMY. 653 

resented by lewd images, were worshipped with forms which clearly 
indicated the existence among them of the worship of Priapus." 

4i Polygamy," remarks Gide, " was more largely permitted in Judea than in 
all Eastern Asia ; not only was a man permitted to have many lawful wives, 
but also concubines ; and to divorce one he had only to address her a letter 
of divorcement." Even after the Jews became subject to the Romans, 
polygamy among them to a considerable extent continued. Herod the Great, 
if I remember rightly, is said to have had seven wives. Those who had 
fled to Europe after their dispersion by Titus, A. d. 70, held tenaciously to 
their customs, including polygamy, as long as they could. According to 
Maimonides, a distinguished rabbi, the Jews of Europe had a plurality of 
wives as late as the thirteenth century. 

Again we will return to an age fifteen hundred and fifty years before 
Christ, and follow Cecrops out of Egypt to Athens, where the civilization and 
marriage of ancient Greece first took root. The system introduced by him 
was unquestionably a second step toward a national recognition of monog- 
amy, the Egyptians having made the first. It was more monogamic than 
the marriage of Egypt at that time, and yet a man was allowed one legal 
wife and one concubine, so that it cannot be placed under the head of " His- 
tory of Monogamy," though many writers, nearly all, in fact, treat of it as a 
system of monogamy. It might perhaps be classified as a connecting link 
between polygamy and monogamy. But really such were the practices of 
the ancient Greeks, it is difficult to determine under which head in this chap- 
ter their marriage system should properly find place. It almost requires a 
separate one. When Athens was founded, women in that part of the world 
were undoubtedly scarce. They were monopolized by those who could afford 
to carry out the practice of polygamy on a large scale. Whether this scarcity, 
or some advanced ideas entertained by Cecrops, influenced him, he made it a 
rule, that a man should have but one lawful wife, whose children should 
be regarded as legitimate, — such was the marriage system first inaugurated 
at Athens. Concubinage being permitted to such as could afford it, or, in 
other words, a man having been allowed a plurality of women, if not of 
wives, was it not, indeed, practically polygamy? 

After the lapse of several centuries, however, we find a new feature in 
Greek civilization. Concubinage died out ; the wife was kept at home for 
raising children and attending strictly to household affairs, while foreign 
women, taking the part of courtesans, assumed great liberty and received 
excraordinary attention. Speaking of them, Paul Gide says : "There was 
however, a class of women, who, free from all domestic restraint, could min- 
gle with the men, share their labors and their pleasures. They were the cour- 
tesans. The ancients presented them to us, as applying themselves with 
earnestness to the loftiest studies, and equaling men by the strength of 



654 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

their mind, as well as the extent of their knowledge. Their society offered 
to the Greeks those intellectual pleasures they could not find among their 
wives or sisters. Thus the Athenian courtesans knew how to appropriate 
that influence which women always exert among a free and intelligent peo- 
ple. The courtesan filled, in Athenian history, the role which the chaste 
matron took in the annals of Roman history." 

When Grecian society reached this stage, and concubinage disappeared, 
perhaps their marriage deserved the name of monogamy as much as ours 
does to-day. Nichols, speaking of Greece at this period, remarks: "In 
Athens, the most refined city of Greece, prostitution was as common as in 
New York, or London, or Paris ; but the Athenians were too honest to dis- 
grace and degrade their courtesans, who were the public and honored com- 
panions of their statesmen and philosophers. The Athenians did not differ 
from our civilizees in fact so much as in pretension. They were, in 
this respect, less hypocritical. The Aspasia?, Phryncs, and Laises of 
Greece have their counterpart in every modern capital ; but we have a 
conventional standard of morals, which, though everywhere disregarded, 
imposes upon us the meanness of a continual hypocrisy of a very deprav- 
ing character. It was not so in the age of Pericles and Alcibiades. Solon, 
the great Athenian lawgiver, six hundred years before Christ, commended 
the young men who kept accomplished mistresses." One of the most vir- 
tuous of the Greeks, it is related, admitted an Aspasia to his philosophical 
entertainments, and even admitted her to his bedside to attend him in his 
last moments, when his own wife was excluded. 

"In the time of Pericles," remarks Dr. S. Pancoast, "there appeared and 
flourished at Athens a class of females who gloried in their wild excesses. 
In the Greek colonies of Asia, temples were erected to the earthly Venus, 
and courtesans not merely tolerated but honored as priestesses of that con- 
descending divinity. The wealthy and commercial city of Corinth was a 
nursery of courtesans. In the temple of Venus, as we are told by Strabo, 
there were no less than one thousand beautiful damsels, who, to gain the 
goddess's favor, prostituted themselves for hire. Hence arose the saying, 
'to act the Corinthian is to commit fornication.' * * * Beauty and 
talents often raised great estates. A remarkable instance is that of Phryne. 
who offered the Thebans to rebuild the walls of their city, when demolished 
by Alexander, on condition that they would engrave on them this inscription : 
1 These walls were demolished by Alexander, but raised by Phryne, the courte- 
san.' * * * In Athens, the number of brothels Was incredible. Solon 
found it necessary to allow the courtesans and prostitutes to enter the temples 
and forums for the purpose of public prostitution." 

While the freedom and power of the courtesan were almost illimitable, 
those of the wife were no less circumscribed. In fact, the native women of 



HISTORY OF POLYGAMY. 655 

Greece, those who constituted the legitimate wives and daughters, were 
treated as children. Before marriage they were governed by the will of 
the father ; after marriage, by that of the husband ; if without a male pro- 
tector, they were taken care of by the state. They were not allowed to 
participate with the men in public festivities. They were instruments sim- 
ply for bearing children. Men were compelled to marry ; a reward was 
offered to those who would rear large families. A husband was required by 
Jaw to cohabit with his wife as often as once a month, and she could enter 
complaint at the public tribunal if he failed to comply therewith. 

"Grecian laws concerning divorce," writes Lady Hamilton, "were dif- 
ferent in many places. * * * The Athenians permitted divorce 
upon very slight occasions, but it was not permitted without a bill specify- 
ing the reason of their separation, which the magistrate must see and 
approve. The Athenian women were allowed to separate from their hus- 
bands upon any just ground for complaint; but they were under the 
necessity of appearing in person and publicly exhibiting their complaint to 
the archon, that, by so doing, their husbands might have an opportunity 
of seeing and prevailing on them to return. Plutarch relates, that 
Hipparete, the wife of Aleibiades, being a virtuous woman and very fond 
of her husband, was at last induced, from his debauched life and contin- 
ued entertainment of the courtesans, to leave him and retire to her brother 
Callias's house. Aleibiades still continued his loose manner of living; but 
his wife being obliged, before she could obtain a divorce, personally to 
appear before the magistrate, her husband came and took her away by 
force, and carried her home through the forum, where she remained with 
him till her death, no one daring to interfere. 

••It was not unusual, " continues this writer, " to dissolve the marriage 
tie by mutual consent; in which case the parties were at liberty to 
dispose of themselves as each thought proper. Nor was it unusual in 
some parts of Greece to borrow each other's wives." 

A great variety of singular customs prevailed in various parts of Greece, 
which I have neither time nor space to relate. The period when the 
courtesan was so much honored, was, I think, mainly the fourth and fifth 
centuries before Christ. Gradually, as Grecian and Roman civilization met, 
there became more or less of a blending of national characteristics, the Greeks 
becoming somewhat less prominent in their sexual excesses, and the 
Romans less exclusive and loyal to matrimonial ties. And when Greece 
became a Roman province about one hundred and fifty years before Christ, 
their system of marriage, like that of the Romans, became what might be 
called a loose form of monogamy ; less monogamic than that of the first 
Romans, and less polygamic and omnigamic than that of the Grecians 
at the time of Pericles. 



656 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

In ancient Persia, whose empire was founded by Cyrus about five hun- 
dred and sixty years before Christ, the system of marriage was undoubt- 
edly polygamous. At the very beginning, indeed, Persia, prior to its be- 
coming an empire, and the empire, ancient and modern, may be placed among 
the countries where polygamy has been sustained by law, religion, and custom* 
Its earliest condition may be inferred from the fact that Zoroaster, the founder 
of the religion of the Persians many centuries before the empire (the most 
authoritative writers placing his time somewhat over twelve hundred years 
before Christ), allowed polygamy among his followers, and further, by a 
perusal of the book of Esther in the Old Testament ; and its later con- 
dition, by what is said in the "New American Cyclopedia" of the Golden 
Age of modern Persia, in the sixth century after Christ, when the mon- 
arch Chosroes II. had "fifty thousand Arab horses and three thousand beau- 
tiful women, the most lovely of whom was Shirin, or Irene, a Greek and 
a Christian, whose beauty and whose love formed the subject of a thousand 
poems." Persian monarchs, remarks Norton, "never had less than four 
hundred wives and concubines." The ancient Parthians were also polyg- 
amous before they became subject to the Persians, and continued to be 
after they became independent of Persia, and made for themselves a power- 
ful empire. They were allowed marriage with sisters and mothers. The 
ancient Scythians, who were cotemporaneous with the Persians, practised 
polygamy. 

Outside of these larger ancient nations, there were any number of 
communities and kingdoms, large and small, where polygamy was the 
popular form of marriage ; but it will hardly interest the reader, while it 
will greatly consume time and space, if even a brief history of each one 
of them is given. I will therefore pass from the domestic history of vari- 
ous peoples before Christ, and come down to a period comparatively more 
recent, simply reminding the reader that oriental polygamy has not only 
passed around, but bridged over, the times of Christ and his apostles, who 
were supposed by many to have been inimical to the polygamic system 
of marriage. 

The most extensive religious body springing up after Christ and 
sustaining the ancient institution of polygamy was that originated by 
Mohammed. This man was an Arab; born about the year 6?0 after 
Christ ; nursed for two years by a Bedouin nurse who had fits, attributed 
to evil spirits; married at twenty-five to a rich woman of forty. He 
visited a cave frequently between his thirty-fifth and fortieth years, and 
therein had fits and visions. Mohammed and his wife were puzzled to 
know whether these visions were from good or evil spirits ; but a Christian 
prie3t, named Waraka, related to Mrs. Mohammed in some way, told them 
fow to decide this matter, and by the test he gave them, it became 



HISTORY OF POLYGAMY. 65/ 

evident that the visions were of divine origin, whether the fits were or 
not. So Mohammed hired some secretaries, and straightway made up the 
book of Koran. 

Like Joseph Smith of our times, Mohammed met with much opposition; 
but he was personally as invincible as Smith's religion is inextinguishable. 
An amiable gentleman, by the name of Omar, went out to slay Mohammed; 
but instead of Mohammed falling a victim to his blade, he fell a victim to 
Mohammed's religion. Next, a whole caravan of Christians, from Nadjaran, 
taking with them one skilled in casting out evil spirits, went forth unto 
Mohammed, to relieve him of the devil ; but instead of their possessing a 
sufficient number of good spirits to overcome Mohammed, he seemed to 
have a devil apiece for all of them; for when they met the prophet, they, 
too, became converts to his faith. An enraged Jewess fed Mohammed on 
poisoned lamb, but it only took away his health. He continued to live and 
extend his religion by persuasion and force of arms, till he was able to visit 
Mecca at the head of forty thousand pilgrims! 

Some may imagine that he incorporated polygamy into his religion and 
practice, in consequence of his first wife being fifteen years older than him- 
self. This is not so. It was not till after the death of his first wife, Kadi- 
jah, that he married several wives, and it seems that at his death he only 
left nine widows ! 

The religion of Mohammed, with its polygamy, has penetrated Europe 
and spread over Asia and Africa, until, as estimated by Hayward, in his 
"Book of Religion," his followers number not less than one hundred and 
forty millions. It appears from statistics that the spread of Mohammedan- 
ism has been proportionately greater than that of Christianity; for in the 
seventh century there were only about forty thousand accepting the religion 
of the Arabian prophet, while there were twenty-five millions accepting 
that of our Saviour. In the eighteenth century, according to M. Laffon de 
Ladebat, there were two hundred millions of Christians, by which it ap- 
pears that the followers of Mohammed have been more active in proselyting 
than those of Jesus of Nazareth. Hayward attributes the rapid increase of 
Mohammedanism to its remarkable adaptation to the peculiarities of Eastern 
nations, and then he remarks: " To these causes of the progress of Moham- 
medanism we may add the bitter dissensions and cruel animosities that 
reigned among the Christian sects — dissensions that filled a great part of 
the East with carnage, assassinations, and such detestable enormities that 
rendered the very name of Christianity odious to many. Other causes of 
the sudden progress of that religion will naturally occur to such as consider 
attentively its spirit and genius, and the state of the world at this time." 

The same writer, after describing the Mohammedan heaven with all its 
luxuries, remarks, "But ah these glories will be eclipsed by the resplendent 
28* 



658 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

and ravishing girls of Paradise, called, from their large black eyes, Eur-al- 
Oi/un, the enjoyment of whose company will be the principal felicity of the 
faithful. These, they say, are created not of clay, as mortal women are, but 
of pure musk, being, as the prophet often affirms in his Koran, free from 
all natural impurities, of the strictest modesty, and secluded from public 
view in pavilions of hollow pearls, so large that, as some traditions have it, 
one of them will be not less than sixty miles square." One of these pearls 
would suit the writer better than the women of musk! The Turks and 
Persians, as is well known, are mainly Mohammedans. 

Iu the turnings and overturnings of nationalities and sects after the 
Christian era, there was a grand mixture of polygamy, polyandry, omnigamy : 
and monogamy. "Polygamy," remarks Mr. Norton, "seems not to have 
been entirely eradicated among the Christians of the sixth century, as \vc 
find it then enacted in the canons of one of their councils, that if any one 
is married to many wives, he shall do penance. Even the clergy themselves 
in this period practised bigamy, as we find it ordained at another council 
held at Narbonne, that such clergymen as were bigamists should only be 
presbyters and deacons, and should not be allowed to marry and conse- 
crate." 

" In the eighth century," says the same writer, "Charlemagne had two 
wives. Sigebert and Chilperic had also a plurality, according to Gregory 
of Tours. But we even find an instance of bigamy and polygamy as late as 
the sixteenth century. Philip, a German prince of Hesse Cassel, obtained 
permission from Luther and a synod of six Reformers, to marry a second 
wife during the life of his first one, and he accordingly did so. In this 
remarkable case Luther exercised an authority which even the most daring 
of the popes in the plenitude of his apostolic power had never ventured to 
attempt." 

Again this writer remarks, " that the celebrated John of Ley den (a 
leader of the Anabaptists in Munster, Germany, in 1533) announced his 
right to marry as many wives as he chose, following the custom of the 
kings of Israel, and put it in practice so far as to marry seventeen." 

Passing over the bigamy or polygamy of various dissolute kings of 
Europe, open polygamy had made no progress in the nations of Christen- 
dom till early in the present century, when Joseph Smith founded his re- 
ligion^ which he claims to be Christian, and based on the Bible as well as 
upon the book of Mormon, which he interpreted from the golden plates 
excavated from a hill in Ontario County, New York. As an account of 
him and his followers will be given in the succeeding chapter, I will omit 
here the story of Mormon polygamy. 

The Mormons, however, were not the first to inaugurate polygamy on 
American soil. "It was," says Norton, "practised among the ancient 



HISTORY OF MONOGAMY. 659 

*lev«ans and Peruvians, as well as the more barbarous tribes in both 
North and South America. Montezuma, the emperor of Mexico, at 
the time of the Spanish invasion had three thousand women. The Incas 
in the twelfth century married only their own sisters, but were allowed a 
great number of concubines. The Peruvians, before the coming of the 
Incas, are said to have had their women in common, with no recognized 
marriage relation, but subsequently adopted polygamy. 

" The Brazilians practised polygamy in ancient times, and I believe now 
do in portions of their empire. In Nicaragua, polygamy was formerly 
allowed, and adulterers were simply divorced. In Carabani, caziques had 
as many wives as they wished, and, when they made long journeys, had 
them stationed along the road, like post-horses, for their convenience. The 
other inhabitants had as many wives as they could support. Polygamy, 
indeed, seems to have obtained among the ancient inhabitants of the whole 
of Central and South America, and, as a result, little adultery or violence 
was committed. The aborigines of North America, though generally con- 
tent with one wife, sometimes took two or three. In conclusion," remarks 
this writer, " it is stated on good authority that, from the creation of the 
world, polygamy has been the rule with four-fifths of the human race." 

History of Monogamy. 

If the marriage institution of Greece, as originated by Cecrops, can be 
regarded as monogamic, then its adoption as a national institution dates 
back to fifteen hundred and fifty years before Christ ; and if Grecian mar- 
riage was monogamic, why may not that of the Egyptians also be re-, 
garded as such ? Admitting Egyptian marriage to be monogamic, we are 
carried back some thirty-five hundred years before the Christian era in 
search of the age when this system of marriage commenced. The mar- 
riage of one man to one woman, with the license of concubinage, wap 
doubtless one step out of polygamy, and another step toward monogamy 
and in this light we must view the marriage of the ancient Egyptians and 
Grecians, instead of adopting it as legitimately belonging to the mono- 
gamic system. 

Having placed the early Egyptian and Grecian marriages under the 
polygamic head, because of their concubinage, it may be said that monogamy 
originated in Italy between seven hundred and one thousand years before 
Christ, unless it can be shown that it was first practised by the barbarous 
tribes of Northern Europe. Traditions place its origin at least as far back 
as the foundation of Rome, seven hundred and fifty-three years before 
Christ. Monogamy, unquestionably, was originally the offspring of mascu- 
line poverty and female scarcity. The opulent polygamic tribes held the 
world's wealth, and bought up all the handsome women in those early 



660 



HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 



times in Asia, Northern Africa, and Southern Europe. In Northern 
Europe, the climate was too inhospitable, and the soil too sterile, to 
favor the luxury and extravagance which polygamy engendered. Hence 
the northern tribes of barbarians, and the poor people of African, Asiatic; 
and Southern European civilization, were obliged to be content with one 
woman, while many a luckless scalawag (then as now) was compelled 
to pursue "life's thorny pathway," with only a "semi-occasional" glance 
at one, which momentary diversion rendered him liable to stumble into 
the inferential brier bushes aforesaid. It is presumable, that from the 
agonized experience of one of those unfortunate bachelors, originated that 
Fig. 156. trite adage, " There never was 

a rose without a thorn ;" and 
to this day the removal of 
this thorn is one of the com- 
monest feats of medicine and 
surgery. 

The founders of Rome were 
poor, hard-working people ; 
but industry produces its 
fruits, and, in a little while, 
we find in its traditions men- 
tion made of a rich as well as 
a poor class, known respect- 
ively by the designation — pa- 
trician and plebeian. At this 
early age of Roman civiliza- 
tion, the civil law had nothing 
to do with marriage ; it was 
an affair of the family. Cus- 
tom, rather than law, took 
charge of the function of fam- 
the monogamic pamily. [\y organization ; but custom 

was then, as it now is, an arbitrary ruler in all things it presumed to regulate. 
In the oldest form of Roman marriage, according to Paul Gide, the 
woman gave up all family ties on her side, on becoming a wife, and entered 
with all her effects into the family of her husband. After a time, there 
sprang up a party which opposed this absorption of the daughter and her 
property into the family of the husband, and custom began to allow the 
woman to remain at home after marriage, in consequence of which, her 
family was aggrandized by the industry and prosperity of the husband. 
For many generations these two customs co-existed, some abiding by the 
first, and others governing themselves by the latter one, and eventually the 




HISTORY OF MONOGAMY. 661 

former became extinct in all cases, excepting those wherein the woman was 
an heiress in her own right, or otherwise possessed of property belonging 
wholly to herself; a woman thus situated was allowed, if she chose, to 
become a member of the household to which her husband belonged. 

When the wife remained at her father's house, she was mainly subject to 
his control. He could take her from the husband, punish her, or even take 
her life. The husband, too, had the right to whip, kill, or sell her. When 
the will of the husband came in conflict with that of the father, the diffi- 
culty was submitted to a tribunal composed of the relatives of the parents 
and friends of the wife, and finally, if necessary, to the censor, who was a 
public functionary, acting under no rules of law, but simply upon principles 
of equity. Webster defines a censor as "an officer in ancient Rome, whose 
business was to register the effects of the citizens, to impo-e taxes accord- 
ing to the property which each man possessed, and to inspect the manners 
of the citizens, with power to censure vice and immorality by inflicting a 
public mark of ignominy on the offender-." 

In the original marriage customs of the Romans, when the wife went, 
with all her personal effects, to the house of the parents of the husband, her 
own father forfeited control, and she was also removed from the influence 
of her relatives. Neither her family nor the censor could interfere, except- 
ing in cases of unjust chastisement or threatened repudiation. At the death 
of her husband, she was placed on a level with her children as an heir to 
the estate, sharing equally witn each one of them, as if she were a sister 
rather than a mother. 

Even at this early day, it was almost as necessary for every marriageable 
girl to have a dower as it is to-day, in France, for her to have her dot She 
might, if she chose, before marriage, hire her services out for the purpose 
of acquiring a dower. Falling short of this in her girlhood, she was in 
many instances allowed to hire out after marriage, and the fruit of this 
labor constituted her dower, which belonged exclusively to herself. 

It has often been said that there were no divorces in Rome for the first 
five hundred years of her national existence. It is true that while her laws 
did not interfere with the liberty of divorce, it was forbidden by religion 
and by custom. "A man who repudiated his wife," remarks Gide, "was 
dishonored by the censor, and excommunicated by the priest ; and the only 
way atonement could be made was by placing upon the altars of the divini- 
ties who presided at the union, a portion of the husband's goods. This 
moral penalty was more efficacious than the laws have ever been. Divorce 
was not illegal, but morally impossible, and," reiterating the common state- 
ment, this writer avers that, " according to all antique authors for five cen- 
turies, there was not a case of divorce." While this may be so, it is difficult 
to see how these antique authors can speak positively on this point, for, 



662 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

according to this same writer, " under the republic of ancient times, a case 
of adultery and divorce was tried in the family to hide the shame." Now is 
Monsieur Gride, or any writer, prepared to demonstrate the supposed fact 
that no divorce occurred for five hundred years, when domestic discords 
were treated with the utmost privacy ? It is certainly to be inferred from 
the last-quoted statement, that cases of divorce were tried ; and the tribunal 
having been made up of the immediate family of the parties interested, with 
the possible intervention of the censor, is it not quite probable that occa- 
sional divorces did occur, all publicity of which was avoided, in obedience 
to the well-known sentiment of the people in favor of concealing matrimo- 
nial infidelity or disruption ? The censor and priest, if kindly disposed to 
the families involved in trouble, could prevent a case from becoming public, 
and, of course, those pagan divinities of wood and stone, "who presided at 
the union," could at least be bribed to "keep mural" Nevertheless, from 
all the light we are able to obtain concerning the early Romans, they 
were a pretty respectable people, or would have been, if they had treated 
the women as equals rather than as children, subject to the same discipline 
and punishment as the juvenile element of the household. [Query: If 
condign punishment was fashionable in those days, were the women 
spanked?] " Never," remarks Paul Gride, "did the Christian legislators 
better define marriage than did the lawgivers of ancient Rome. It is," 
he says, according to the pronounced Roman idea, "the union of two lives, 
the joining of two patrimonies, the putting in common of all temporal 
and religious interests. This was in the first four centuries of Rome. In 
this ancient notion of marriage," continues this writer, "already appear the 
two principles which are the foundation of modern Christian marriages, the 
indissolubility of the marriage tie, and monogamy." 

Under the republic, the Romans were a progressive people, for before 
its fall, we find, according to the language of Paul Gide, " woman was no 
longer powerless and oppressed ; she was the matron, the mother of the 
family ; respected by the slaves, children, her own husband, and cherished 
by all ; mistress of her own house, and extending her influence outside to 
the heart of popular assemblies and councils of the senate ; while allowed 
to go everywhere, her habitual place was at home; all treasures were under 
her care ; she educated her children, and governed her family. The father 
was the lord of the household ; the daughter had equal rights with the 
son ; this was the first time in woman's history that we have discovered thai 
she had any rights. Over her was a guardian whose authority only related 
to her property and not her person. She had the liberty to choose her own 
husband, guided by the advice of her parents or friends." 

During this period the growth of the republic made her a neighbor to 
Greece, and she soon began to feel the influence of Grecian civilization. lis 



HISTORY OF MONOGAMY. 663 

feet, an interchange of laws and eustoms gradually took place. The 
Greeks learned from the Romans how to treat their wives with greater 
consideration, and the Romans contracted from the Grecians the vice of 
concubinage ; but not so just as the Grecians, they treated the children of 
these concubines with disfavor. The Romans adopted Grecian law as 
originated by Solon, and gradually it crept into the management of the 
family. Originally, in Rome, "law," says Gide, "did not interfere witli 
family government zz in Athens, for it was thought that the family hearth 
was too sacred for public tribunals. . . . Roman legislation did not wish 
to touch the independence of the family, nor confine by legal restraint the 
ties which natural affection had formed." In time, however, law " pene- 
trated the bosom of the family. It insured the woman a dower, and it 
constrained her to marry. It established various regulations concerning 
marriage and divorce; it overwhelmed with favor the couple that gave 
birth to the most children," and in all family matters it took an imperti- 
nent interest. I am not sure though, that, like the law of the Greeks, it 
required the husband to cohabit with his wife as often as once a 
month ! 

Finally, in a little less than a century and a half before Christ, Greece was 
wholly absorbed by the Roman republic. During those one hundred and 
forty-six years Rome was overrun with "new men — strangers — and her 
aristocracy disappeared. " Radical changes from ancient usages were subse- 
quently greatly accelerated by the conquests of Julius Caesar. "Marriages 
became only passing unious of passion and convenience. Children no longer 
submitted to parental authority, and parricide was common." Rome grew 
rapacious as she grew larger, and surrounding nations that would not come 
voluntarily to her standard were made to submit to her rule by the sword 
of the conqueror. Glutton-like, she devoured all the smaller nationalities 
within her r<?ach, and became sick. She would gladly have made Julius 
Caesar emperor, but he fell by the hand of an assassin, forty-fcur years 
before Christ. Then came Octavius, who assumed the title of Augustus, 
by which he has ever since been known. With him came new laws, and, 
as Paul Gide ironically remarks, " a man who would judge the Romans 
after their laws, would not fail to think morality and the private virtues 
had progressed with this people from age to ag<*, and had never shone 
more brightly than at the times of Augustus and Tiberius." Under Augus- 
tus, law pretended to repress divorce and punish adultery; a father was 
obliged to dower his daughter, and she could enter complaint against him 
if he did not find her a husband. The state undertook to avenge the 
honor of the husband. If the latter killed his wife for adultery, he was 
punished as a murderer; but the father could kill the guilty daughter and 
her paramour. The adulteress might be tried before a judge, but seven 



664: HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

witnesses were required to convict her. Under the empire, the personal 
freedom which woman acquired under the republic was, in a legal point of 
view, subverted ; but the subversion of mauy of woman's privileges began 
to take place long before the birth of Caesar. It remained for the latter to 
complete, what had been undertaken in a measure by the legislators 
before the change of the republic to an empire. During the reign of 
Augustus and Tiberius, the atmosphere was foggy with law respecting 
woman, marriage, and divorce, and at the same time never in the whole 
history of Rome had there been so much matrimonial infidelity and sexual 
promiscuity. It was during the reign of the former that Jesus Christ was 
born, and within that of the latter that he founded what is now known as 
the Christian religion. It was during the reign of these two emperors that 
Rome sought to rigorously maintain, by law, the exemplary matrimonial life 
which had in the early days of the republic been sustained without law. 
It had swallowed the most heterogeneous mixtures of laws in absorbing and 
conquering other powers, so that, while its sick stomach was " throwing 
up " some laws, it was gobbling down any quantity of others, and nothing 
scarcely was talked of by the people of those times excepting the question 
as to the true status of woman, the proper relations of the sexes in mar- 
riage, divorce, adultery, and the law — law — law! Then the anarchy 
among the Jews, which was inaugurated by Augustus, at the death of 
Herod the Great, by the division, among Herod's three sons, of the territory 
ruled by the father, was at its very height. 

This bit of history will account, in the minds of those not before acquaint- 
ed with it, for the continual harping of the scribes and Pharisees, Sadducees, 
and all sorts of cees, upon the law in these matters, as found in the New Tes- 
tament. Jesus of Nazareth was set upon by them as soon as he began his 
ministry, and while repeatedly telling them that there would be no marriage 
in heaven, he taught them to respect the laws of the Caesars, and, above 
all things, the compacts they solemnly entered into with women when assum- 
ing the marriage relation. Our Saviour evinced a disposition to avoid, as far 
as possible, the consideration or promulgation of rules bearing upon the details 
of human action, for such was the bigotry and intolerance of the people, 
that their already inflamed passions would only have been more furiously 
manifested against him, if a word inimical to the Caesars or their laws 
could have been seized upon for his condemnation. Hence, he was con- 
tent to enunciate principles broad enough to cover all the rules which 
should govern the conduct of the human family, well knowing that, in 
process of time, the seed of truth which he was planting would spring up, 
and grow and ripen from generation to generation, as the human race pro- 
gressed. When pressed to answer impertinent questions, his answers were 
then, a* they are to-day, variously interpreted. Some claim now that he did 



HISTOKY OF MONOGAMY. 665 

not prohibit polygamy, and that the example of Moses and the prophets 
favored it ; others, that he commanded the people to observe the inonogamic 
principle ; stiU others, that he believed marriage to be simply a necessary 
evil, which time and progress would remedy. 

It will be interesting to stop at this point in Roman history, and take a 
peep at a few domestic views from the northward, through the historical 
stereoscope furnished by Tacitus. Judging from the accounts given by this 
historian in the first century, monogamy, or the marriage of one man to one 
woman, was probably in vogue among the northern barbarians prior to the 
Christian era, and possibly at the very time the Romans, many centuries be- 
fore Christ, were making an experiment of this system of marriage. 

It seems the ancient G-ermans attributed the origin of their marriage system 
to " Odin.'' "When he lived is a problem I have been unable to solve, after 
rummaging all the authorities within my reach; but as Tacitus wrote his treatise 
on the " Planners and Customs of the G-ermans" in the first century, and 
Odin was then only to be heard of in the ancient traditions of his people, 
he must have been decidedly an antique chap, and possibly drank samples 
of tea expressed to him by old Fu-hi over two thousand years before Christ. He 
may also have been the inventor of " Lager," as well as of German marriage. 
"We may infer from the character of the latter, that he was something of a 
woman's rights man, for wliile in oriental countries woman was considered 
incapable because of moral weakness, in G-ermany she was simply regarded 
inferior to man in physical strength, and was admitted to the councils of the 
father, husband, and brother. If she could not with her own hand defend 
herself, she could command the masculine hand of some relative or friend to 
do so, and while she could not be the guardian of her children, she was con- 
sulted on all the acts appertaining to the governance of her offspring. 

The ancient G-ermans had a superstitious confidence in the moral if not 
supernatural power of woman ; so much so, indeed, that when in peril if they 
found their wives and daughters near them, they were inspired with new 
courage. Hence, the women accompanied them to the field of battle, and though 
they did not physically participate in the contest, they gave to their fathers, 
husbands, and sons, moral support. Not alone in the battles of contesting 
tribes were they the cherished companions of men. They mingled with 
them in all their amusements and exercises, and at the beer tables filled 
their cups and drank with them. "We see in this the origin of the custom 
now common among the German people, of men, women, and children con- 
gregating at the beer gardens in this country as well as in Europe. 

In their marriage usages the father disposed of the hand of the daughter ; 
if he were absent or dead, then the elder brother officiated, the mother par- 
ticipating with him ; if the mother was a widow without sons, it was her 
exclusive prerogative to give her daughter's hand in marriage. 



QQQ HISTORY OP MARRIAGE 

Family matters were not regulated by the state. Families organized 
and defended themselves, and the state was composed of these distincs 
families. Those only who could bear arms were allowed to rule. The 
monogamic system of marriage exclusively prevailed among these people. 
" The ancient Germans," remarks Norton, " were such strict monogamists, 
that they held it as a kind of polygamy for a woman to marry a second 
husband after the death of the first. " If a husband did an injury to his 
wife, he was pursued by her family, and, if taken, was compelled to pay 
damages. The wife could have a separation from her husband if his habits 
were corrupt, and her parents defended her from any abuse of the marital 
power ; these barbarians abhorred adultery, and the women were so chaste 
that their virtues were celebrated by their husbands and fathers. As 
.Christianity, clothed in the civilization of the Romans, permeated these 
people, they were as much shocked at the vices of the Romans as the 
latter were surprised at the virtues of the Germans. 

"We might next take a peep up into the cold regions of Scandinavia, 
where, also, monogamy was strictly practised ; but we will reserve the 
picture of Scandinavian domestic life for a future paragraph, for such was 
her aversion to the Romans, she would not accept any thing from them — 
not even Christianity, until about the tenth century, and then it made little 
headway for several centuries after. We will therefore return, like the oft- 
snubbed Romans, from the honest but barbarous shores of the Baltic, and 
see how marriage in the Old Empire flourishes. 

Here we find little change. The national marriage system remains prac- 
tically the same, although there may be greater local diversities than for- 
merly. However ostensibly rigid the laws may be, sexual excess and 
matrimonial perfidy were never more rampant than during the reign of 
Nero, commencing a. d. 54. In the latter days of the pagan empire, some 
measures are adopted to repress the profligacy that so extensively prevails. 
Domitian enforces the old Scantinian law against unnatural love. This 
refers to the love of a man for a man, or a woman for a woman, or of those 
of either sex for animals below them. Yespasian moderates the luxury of 
the court. Macrinus requires those who have committed adultery to be 
Dound together and burned alive. Hadrian condemns the practice of men 
and women bathing together, but it remains for Constantino to suppress 
this practice altogether. Christianity is slowly spreading, though encounter- 
ing great opposition. During the first century, according to the ' ' New Ameri- 
can Cyclopedia," "it enters into nearly all the countries bordering on the 
Mediterranean Sea, especially in Asia Minor, Greece, Italy, and the north 
of Africa," but we must go down to the beginning of the fourth century 
before it is strong enough to give to the nation a Christian emperor. 

Oonstantine the Great begins his rule in 306, and five years thereafter 



HISTORY OF MONOGAMY. 667 

embraces Christianity ; in twenty years more transfers the seat of govern- 
ment from Rome to Byzantium (now Constantinople). " Transformed by the 
Greek law," remarks Gide, " Roman law had become the prevailing rule of 
all nations. Finally transformed by the Christian law, it was abotrt to be- 
come the common law of all civilized peoples." But how do we find 
marriage under the new Christian regime ? Strange enough I The old 
pagan law urged marriage ; the new Christian law urged celibacy. 

St. Jerome, who flourished in the fourth century, and to whom the Christian 
world is greatly indebted for the early translations and revisions of the 
Old and New Testaments, and other Christian works, said: "Let us put 
the hand to the axe, and cut by its roots the sterile tree of marriage. God 
had well permitted marriage at the commencement of the world, but Jesus 
Christ and Mary have consecrated virginity." "It was," says Gide, "the 
accepted opinion of the Fathers of the Church of the fourth century, that 
marriage was the consequence of the original sin, and that, without the 
first transgression, 'God' would have provided otherwise for the per- 
petuation of human kind." This doctrine would hardly have suited the 
modern old lady, who was told that a Yankee had invented a machine 
for manufacturing babies, and thereupon responded, that she thought the 
old-fashioned way was the best ; nor is it exactly in harmony with the law 
governing nearly the whole animal kingdom, only the human portion of 
which ate of that troublesome apple. But let us resume. 

"From the fourth century," continues Gide, "such was the doctrine of 
the universal church, and the sanctity of the conjugal union had for de- 
fenders only some heretics. From the writings of the Fathers this doctrine 
soon passed into a law. The church forbade marriage to its clergymen, 
and, not being able to control the simple faithful, they applied themselves 
to restraining them. For though they allowed it was permitted to marry 
once, all second marriages, they claimed, were at the bottom only adultery. 
But ecclesiastical canons finally tempered this a little. They tolerated, 
though with marked disfavor, a second union in case of the death of the 
first wife, but they forbade absolutely this course in case of repudiation or 
divorce. To employ modern language, they substituted for divorce the 
separation of body. Later, the interpreters of the canonic law make one 
step more in this daugerous path; the law imposes restrictions to the rela- 
tions of the couple, and starting always from the principle 'that marriage 
is a necessary evil,' they deduce from it, with the subtle logic familiar to 
casuists, the proposition that licit conjugal relations are those which have 
for their object only the procreation of children." It was unfortunate for 
the early Christiana that old St. Paul, through some love-disappointment in 
youth probably, was an old bachelor, and always threw his influence in favor 
of celibacy. lie was like the fox who lost hid tail, and would have pre- 



668 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

ferred that all other foxes should get along without this caudal extremity. 
He wrote to the Corinthians, "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." 
Again he said, "For I would all men were even as I myself; but every man 
hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner and another after that. 
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they 
bide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry ; for it is better 
to marry than to burn." In giving this advice, however, he said he spoke 
by permission and not of commandment. There is a great deal of individ- 
uality in all of St. Paul's writings, and it is not likely that this apostle was 
so much different from other men as not to have been considerably in- 
fluenced by his personal experience and prejudice in giving advice to his 
hearers. The Shaker sect we have to-day, which advocates celibacy, was 
founded by a woman, Ann Lee, who married and had four children, all of 
whom, husband included, died; and there can be no doubt that her dis- 
agreeable experience in married life so wrought upon her mind as to lead 
her to think intercourse with the opposite sex was sinful, or at least 
attended with trouble and sorrow ; and she thereupon organized a society 
which abjured marriage and all intercourse sexually with man. We will 
return, however, from this digression to our history. 

It was under the Christian emperors that the patrimony of the family 
was made to descend to the children. It was the opinion of the Christian 
rulers that parents should benefit and enrich their children, instead of the 
latter laboring for the aggrandizement of parents as under ancient Roman 
usage, This idea carried in the right direction, i. e. their proper propaga- 
tion, and moral and physical development, rather than material advance- 
ment, would better represent the true Christian spirit. 

The Christian emperors, according to Gide, "were the first to encourage 
the family to conceal the disgrace of adultery, or to take into their own 
hands the right to avenge it by the destruction of the invader. Constantino 
discouraged and tried to destroy the system of concubinage. He made bas- 
tards odious, and proposed to legitimatize the children of those living in this 
relation who would marry." This, of course, was simply to remedy one evil 
by the substitution of another, for, be it constantly borne in mind, celibacy 
was rewarded by the early Christian rulers as much as marriage was by the 
old pagan legislators. The spirit of those times was, first : if possible, make 
the people celibates ; secondly : if they married, the marriage must be 
regarded as indissoluble ; and thirdly : if separation occurred, the parties 
must not again marry. It was disposed to remove some of the disabilities 
which the earlier emperors had imposed upon woman so far as related to 
her control and power to sell property ; but comparatively little freedom 
was allowed to the sex. Cats were allowed to have kittens, and women 
enjoying in a measure the same freedom, were allowed to have babies. In 






HISTORY OF MONOGAMY. 669 

direct antagonism to the rules of the church, however, were the practices 
of the clergy, foriu 370 the Emperor Yalentinian, shocked at the prevalence 
of their vice and licentiousness, found it necessary to enact a law Tisiting 
severe punishment " on every ecclesiastic who visited the houses of widows 
and virgins." 

During the period from the fifth to the fifteenth century, known by the des- 
ignation of the "Dark Ages," the civilization of the early pagans, that of 
the Christians, that of the Mohammedans, and the social and religious in- 
ventions of the northern barbarians, may be said to have been thrown into 
one immense heap of compost, from which later customs and religious and 
political institutions sprung. Polygamy, monogamy, omuigamy, polyandry, 
prostitution, and all sorts of customs relating to the intercourse of the sexes, 
prevailed in Europe as well as in Asia and Africa. Even Christianity was 
almost obliterated ; the sexual morality of those ages may be inferred from 
one of the edicts of Charlemagne, which was as follows : 

' : TVe have been informed, to our great horror, that many monks are ad- 
dicted to debauchery and all sorts of vile abominations, even to unnatural 
sins. We forbid all such practices in the most solemn manner ; and hereby 
make known that all monks who indulge in the gratification of such lusts 
will be punished by us so severely, that no Christian will ever care to com- 
mit such excesses again. We command our monks to cease swarming 
about the country, and we forbid our nuns to practise fornication and intoxi- 
cation. AVe shall not allow them any longer to be whores, thieves, murder- 
ers, etc. ; to spend their time in debauchery and singing improper songs ; 
priests are herewith forbidden to haunt the taverns and market-places for 
the purpose of seducing mothers and daughters," etc. 

A newspaper critic, in a review of a work by Henry C. Lee, giving " An 
Historical Sketch of Sacerdotal Celibacy in the Christian Church," presents 
further evidence to the same effect at a still later period. " During a suc- 
cession of centuries," this writer remarks, " the enforcement of the celibate 
discipline was attempted with various results; but not until after the fourth 
Council of Lateran, in 1215, do we cease to find frequent instances of mar- 
riage among those devoted to holy orders. At this date the triumph of 
sacerdotalism may be regarded as complete. In theory, at least, all who 
had assumed the sacred ministry were exclusively devoted to the solemn 
service. The effect was doubtless to strengthen the pretensions of the 
church to spiritual supremacy ; but the influence on the morals of the clergy 
only repeated the deplorable vices of past centuries. There had not been 
wanting voices of awful rebuke to denounce the ambition of the church in 
imposing such unnatural restrictions. St. Bernard, the most conspicuous 
ecclesiastic of the day, uttered a vigorous protest against the endeavor to 
enforce a purity at war with the instincts of human nature. Deprive the 



6Y0 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

church of honorable marriage, he insisted, and you fill her with concubinage, 
incest, and all manner of nameless vice and uncleanness. His warnings 
were fulfilled to the letter. Notorious illicit unions, or still more degrading 
secret licentiousness, became the universal vice of the church throughout 
Christendom. 

'* The degradation of the clergy became so complete that even an organized 
system of concubinage was welcomed by the friends of virtue as a safeguard 
against promiscuous licentiousness. It was deemed preferable to the mis- 
chief which the unbridled passions of the pastor might inflict on his flock. 
Even Chancellor Gerson, the celebrated advocate of mystical asceticism, did 
not hesitate to recommend concubinage ; which, though scandalous in itself, 
might serve as a preventive to greater scandals. In some of the Swiss can- 
tons it was the custom to oblige a new pastor, on entering upon his func- 
tions, to select a female companion, as a necessary protection to the virtue 
of his parishioners, and the peace of the families intrusted to his spiritual 
direction. Indeed, it appears, on the authority of the Council of Palencia, 
in 1322, that such a practice was not uncommon in Spain. A dreadful 
encouragement to the wantonness of the clergy was presented by the exam- 
ple of the supreme authorities at Rome. Sacerdotal marriage had been 
scarcely driven entirely from the church when the morals of the Roman 
ecclesiastics became the disgrace of Christendom. The removal of the Papal 
See to Avignon, during the period of the Great Schism, only made matters 
worse. We have a remarkable picture of society at that time by Petrarch. 
He could find no language of sufficient strength to express his abhorrence 
of that ecclesiastical Babylon, though he was restrained by fear from giving 
full utterance to his feelings. Chastity was a reproach, and licentiousness a 
virtue. The aged prelates surpassed their younger brethren in wickedness, 
as in years. The vilest crimes were the pastimes of pontifical ease. Juve- 
nal or Brantome describe no scenes of more shameless corruption." 

According to Lecky, " an Italian bishop of the tenth century, epigrammatic 
cally described the morals of his time, when he declared that if he were to 
enforce the canons against unchaste people administering ecclesiastical 
rites, no one would be left in the church except the boys ; and if he were to 
observe the canons against bastards, these also must be excluded ! A tax, 
called cullagium, which was in fact a license to clergymen to keep concu- 
bines, was during several centuries systematically levied by princes." 

There was, however, throughout all this period, a class of ascetics, who 
held out firmly against not only marriage, but also against all carnal inter- 
course. "Thus St. Jerome relates an incredible story of a young Chris- 
tian being, in the Diocletian persecution, bound with ribbons of silk in the 
midst of a lovely garden, surrounded by every thing that could charm the 
ear and the eye, while a beautiful courtesan assailed him with her Wand- 



HISTORY 0* MONOGAMY. £71 

Ishments. Whereupon, he protected himself by biting out his tongue and 
spitting it in her face.'' 

" The object of the ascetics. M remarks Lecky. " was to attract men to a 
life of virginity, and. as a necessary consequence, marriage was treated as 
an inferior state. The relation which nature has designed for the noblo 
purpose of repairing the ravages of death, which, as Linnaeus has shown 
extends even through the world of flowers, was invariably treated as a con- 
sequence of the fall of Adam, and marriage was regarded almost exclu- 
sively in its lowest aspect. Whenever any strong religious fervor fell upon 
a husband or wife, its first effect was to make a happy union impos- 
The more religious partner immediately desired to live a life of solitary as- 
ceticism, or. at least if no ostensible separation took place, an unnatural life 
of separation in marriage. Saint Nilus, when he had already two children, 
was seized with a longing for the prevailing asceticism, and his wife was 
persuaded, after many tears, to consent to their separation. Saint Ammom 
on the night of his marriage, proceeded to greet his bride with an harangue 
upon the evils of the marriage state, and they agreed, in consequence, at 
once to separate. Saint Melania labored long and earnestly to induce her 
husband to allow her to desert his bed. before he would consent. Saint 
Abraham ran away from his wife on the night of his marriage. Nominal 
marriages, in which the partners agreed to shun the marriage bed. became 
not uncommon. The Emperor Henry II.. Edward the Confessor, of Eng- 
land, and Alphonso II.. of Spain, gave examples of it." 

We therefore see that the asceticism of the few was as extreme and as 
mischievous as the licentiousness of the many. M The extent to which the 
ascetic feeling was ca^^ied, ,, says Lecky, 4> is shown by the famous vision of 
Alberic in the twelfth century, in which a special place of torture, coil 
ing of a lake of mingled lead, pitch, and resin, is represented as existing 
in hell, for the punishment of married people who had lain together during 
the church festivities or fast days." 

The new social systems of Europe that emerged from the grand hetero- 
geneous ,; stew " of the Middle Ages, mainly adopted ostensible monogamy. 
Ancient Scandinavia, however, was not involved in the European Salma- 
gundi of those times, for she had all along possessed and maintained fixed 
institutions of her own. Her ice-bound coast isolated her from the vrar 
and carnage, and the social and sexual revolutions of her southern neigh- 
bors ; and as she looked down upon their miseries she was content to 
remain in her isolation. Nor would she to any great extent accept Christi- 
anity, till, in the sixteenth century, it came to her cleansed by the reforma- 
tion of Luther, and to-day Xorway and Sweden are mainly Protestant. 

The position of the Scandinavian women was rather lowered than bet- 
tered by the influx of the new civilization. In no cot] 



672 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

been treated with so much justice. With these barbarous people a period 
of majority was recognized among women as well as among men, and a 
woman could own and dispose of property after becoming of age ; and 
although she could not defend or prosecute a legal action in person, she 
could choose or change her male representative at will. The property of 
the wife was not liable to be seized for the debts of the husband, unless 
she had jointly with him contracted the obligation. What was earned 
by the husband, or by the united efforts of the couple, was one-half her prop- 
erty, and this much, or at least one-third, was set off to her in case of separation. 

Monogamy had been their system of marriage from earliest antiquity, and 
their marriages were preceded by betrothals of a most solemn and obligatory 
character. According to Gide, the man said to the woman : " To thee the 
honor and rights of wife — to thee the keys of my house — the half of my bed 
— the third of all that which I possess, and all that which we may acquire 
together." It is proper to remark that among some of the tribes one-half 
instead of one-third was stipulated to be the wife's portion. Although a man, 
on taking a wife, usually paid something to her guardian for his trouble in 
taking care of her during the period of her minority, wives were in no 
case bought nor women sold among these people. Although in marriage 
a woman surrendered the control of her property to her husband, in case of 
separation he was obliged to return it or its equivalent, together with half of 
the products of their mutual industry. 

The early Scandinavians had religious teachers and bishops, although they 
were neither Christian nor Hebrew. These religious functionaries had noth- 
ing to do with marrying people, but in case of matrimonial infelicity, their 
interposition was sought. If a husband was dissipated, by appeal to the 
bishop, the wife might have separation of property without dissolution 
of marriage ; or, by his decree, entire separation. There was no law or rule 
to prevent separation when it was mutually conceded to be best. The wife 
could return to her father's family if she wished, and with them make a 
united effort against any meditated wrong of the husband. If she became 
a widow by death or separation, she had personal control of her property 
and could again marry without the consent of her family. 

The people of Norway and Sweden have changed but little in ages, and 
most of their institutions differ little from what they were hundreds of years 
ago ; in their social habits they have taken on the excesses and vices of 
Roman and Grecian civilization. 

With this account of the early Scandinavians, I shall close the history of 
monogamy, as any one at all familiar with modern literature can, with the 
aid of the next chapter, trace its further history to the present time. As the 
reader carefully peruses the foregoing pages, he readily observes the origin 
©f many of the customs of to-day, and the female reader will perceive quite aa 



HISTORICAL CHIPS. 



673 



Teadilv that what freedom her sex enjoys m the 19th century, is mostly de- 
rived from the institutions of the ancient Germans and Scandinavians, 
Without assuming, as most boys do, to know more than our Father, I cannot 
repres. the expression of the opinion that if Christianity had been sown among 
the virtuous and vigorous barbarians of Northern Europe, rather 
than in the corrupt and decaying civilization of Rome, the Goths and 
Vandals would have carried it with triumphant banners over the crumbling 
Roman empire, and the whole civilized world would now be enjoying the 
light rather than the mist of Christianity. As it is, to Germany under God 
belongs the honor of filtering it to some extent from the scum with which 
it was mixed when it came up from the Romans. Martin Luther was a 

German . 

Historical Chips. 

When the pioneer builds his log-cabin, chips accumulate. In building 
this history of marriage, I find myself surrounded with entertaining facts 
which could not relevantly find place in the narrative. We will gather 
these up in one pile at the close, and call them the "historical chips." 
They exhibit the odd cus- Fig. 157. 

toms of various peoples in 
different ages, and may lead 
the reader to analyze our 
own. to see if some of them 
are not, to use a forcible ex- 
pression, ridiculous. It may 
certainly be set down as a 
palpable fact, that every 
thing in our customs which 
is in any way prejudicial to 
our moral and physical 
health, and true happiness, 
may some day receive the 
just ridicule of posterity. I 
shall place quotation marks 
before and after each of 
the various facts presented, 
for though the phraseology 
is sometimes my own, the 
matter is derived and con- 
densed from various sources, u cnips." 
aDd to save space and the repetition of names, I will present my authorities 
in a lump. They are, then, Gide, Picart, Montfaucon, Alexander, Lecky, 
Lady Hamilton, Nichols, Norton, etc. 
29 




674: HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

" Betrothing and espousals were held at night or at day-break among the 
Romans, and never at a period of earthquake or stormy weather. The 
pledge given by the groom to the bride was an iron ring without a stone ; 
a crow was often offered as a sacrifice among the ceremonies, it being con- 
sidered a bird of good omen, from the popular belief that when it had lost 
its mate it always remained in a state of celibacy. Another ceremony was 
to comb the hair of the bride, and divide the locks with the point of a 
spear which had been dipped in the blood of a gladiator, as an omen that 
she would be the mother of valiant offspring, and also that she was under 
the dominion of her husband. The Romans, too, washed the feet of their 
newly married women, as an emblem of that purity which was required of 
them when they entered the marriage state. At one time there was a law 
that restrained a Roman from marrying any one who was not a Roman, or 
a denizen of Rome. Nor were senators allowed to marry their daughters 
to the sons of plebeians, nor nobles to freedmen." 

"The parable of the virgins — that at midnight there was a cry made: 
'Behold the bridegroom cometh ! Go ye out to meet him, 1 is explained by 
a custom of the nations bordering on Judea, which was for the bridegroom 
and bride to absent themselves from their house until midnight, when they 
returned, and were received with loud shouts, music, and rejoicing." 

" Formerly, among the peasants of Great Britain, when a bride was brought 
to the door of the bridegroom's house, a cake was broken over her head, for 
the fragments of which the attendants scrambled. These fragments were 
laid under the pillows of the young men and maidens, and were supposed to 
be endowed with a power of making them dream of their future wives and 
husbands. The latter part of this custom has come down to our own times, 
and is commonly practised half in jest and half in earnest, after weddings."' 

" The custom of betrothal seems to have originated in the very earliest 
ages ; children were betrothed in their infancy, to strengthen families by- 
binding them together. According to the Talmud, there were three ways 
of betrothing. First, by written contract ; second, by a verbal agreement 
in the presence of witnesses, and made more binding by the presentation 
of a piece of money; a third, by the parties simply uniting and living as 
husband and wife, which was considered as a tacit agreement. These 
three forms were the origin of the common law in regard to contracts and 
partnerships of every sort." 

" Among the Romans, a long time prior to the rise of the empire, their 
manners were more rigid than those of our Puritan fathers. A senator was 
censured for indecency, because he kissed his wife in the presence of their 
daughter. It was, moreover, considered disgraceful for a Roman mother 
to delegate to a nurse the duty of suckling her child. The courtesan class, 
at that time, though probably numerous and certainly uncontrolled, were 



HISTORICAL CHIPS. 675 

regarded with much contempt. The disgrace of publiclj professing them- 
selves members of it was believed to be a sufficient punishment, and an 
old law, which was probably intended to teach in symbol the duties of 
married life, enjoined that no such person should touch the altar of Juno. 
It was related of a certain aedile, that he failed to obtain redress for an 
assault which had been made upon him, because it had occurred in a house 
of ill fame, in which it was disgraceful for a Roman magistrate to be found. 
The sanctity of female purity was believed to be attested by all nature. 
The most savage animal became tame before a virgin. When a woman 
walked naked around a field, caterpillars and all loathsome insects fell 
dead before her. It was said, drowned men floated on their backs and 
drowned women on their faces ; and this, in the opinion of Roman natural- 
ists, was due to the superior purity of the latter." 

" An inundation of Eastern luxury and Eastern morals near the close of 
the republic and the rise of the empire submerged all the old habits of 
austere simplicity of the Romans. The civil wars and the empire degraded 
the character of the people, and the exaggerated prudery of republican man- 
ners only served to make the rebound into vice the more irresistible. In the 
fierce outburst of ungovernable and almost frantic depravity that marked 
this evil period, the violations of female virtue were infamously prominent. 
The slaves were chosen from the most voluptuous provinces of the 
empire ; the games of Flora, in which races of naked courtesans were 
exhibited; the pantomimes, which derived their charms chiefly from the 
audacious indecencies of the actors ; the influx of the Greek and Asiatic 
courtesans, who were attracted by the wealth of the Roman metropolis ; 
licentious paintings, which began to adorn their houses — all these causes, 
combining with the intoxication of great wealth suddenly acquired, with 
the disruption through many causes of all the ancient habits and beliefs, 
etc., had their part in preparing those orgies of vice which the writers of 
the empire reveal." 

u The extreme coarseness of the Roman disposition prevented sensuality 
from assuming that aesthetic character which bad made it in Greece the 
parent of art, and had very profoundly modified its influence ; while tho 
passion for gladiatorial shows often allied it somewhat unnaturally with 
cruelty." " There have certainly been many periods in history," says Lecky, 
" when virtue was more rare than under the Caesars ; but there has proba- 
bly never been a period when vice was more extravagant or uncontrolled." 

"There was a disposition during the reign of Augustus to avoid marriage, 
which this emperor attempted in vain to arrest by his laws against celibacy, 
and by conferring many privileges on the fathers of three children. The 
disposition to avoid the annoyances and responsibilities of marriage evi- 
dently existed before the close of the republic A singularly curious 



676 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

speech is preserved, which is said to have been delivered on this subject by 
Metellus Numicus. 'If, Romans/ he said, 'we could live without wives, 
we should all keep free from that source of trouble ; but since Nature has 
ordained that men can neither live sufficiently agreeably with wives, nor 
at all without them, let us consult the perpetual endurance of our race, 
rather than our own brief enjoyment.' " 

"The Romans admitted three kinds of marriage: 'Confarreatio,' which 
was accompanied by the most awful religious ceremonies, was practically 
indissoluble, and was jealously restricted to patricians ; the ■ coemtio,' which 
was purely civil, which derived its name from a symbolical sale, and which, 
like the preceding form, gave the husband complete authority over the 
person and property of his wife; and the 'usus,' which was effected by 
a simple declaration of a determination to cohabit. This last form of mar- 
riage became general in the empire. Cicero evidently regarded sexual in- 
tercourse necessary for the physical health of at least young men. He, of 
course, like every other masculine legislator, did not express himself as to 
the necessities of young women. 'If there be any one/ he says, 'who 
tl links that young men should be altogether restrained from the love of 
courtesans, he is indeed very severe. I am not prepared to deny his posi- 
tion ; but he differs not only from the license of our age, but also from the 
customs and allowances of our ancestors. When, indeed, was it not done ? 
When was it blamed ? "When was it not allowed ? When was that which 
is now lawful not lawful ?' Alexander Severus, who of all the Roman em- 
perors was probably the most energetic in legislating against vice, when 
appointing a provincial governor, besides providing him with horses and 
servants, if he was unmarried also procured for him a concubine, 'because, 1 
tis the historian very gravely observes, ' it is impossible that he could exist 
without one.' " 

"The Romish Christian Fathers seem to have thought dissolution of ma r- 
riag* was not lawful on account of the adultery of the husband; and that it 
was not absolutely unlawful, though not commendable, for a husband whose 
wife had committed adultery, to remarry. Charlemagne pronounced divorce 
to be criminal, but did not venture to make it penal; he practised it himself." 

" After the triumph of the Christian Church, the intermarriage of Jews and 
Christians was made a capital offence, and was stigmatized by the law as 
adultery." 

"It is related, that at Babylon, a law compelled every woman, at least 
once in her life, to make a public sacrifice in the temple of Venus ; and that 
in Lydia and Cyprus, no woman was allowed to become the exclusive wife 
of one man until she had accumulated a dowry by public prostitution. " 

" The wives of Formosa, in olden times, were not permitted to have chil- 
dren until they were six or seven and thirty years old j this custom may have 






HISTORICAL CHIPS. §77 

become modified through the advance of civilization ; to enforce rigidly the 
old custom, certain women, delegated as priestesses, performed abortions upon 
those who became pregnant at an early age." 

" The object of the laws instituted by Julian, in the fourth century, was to 
preserve the Roman blood from corruption, and still further, to degrade 
prostitutes. These aims were partially attained by prohibiting the inter- 
marriage of citizens with the relatives or descendants of prostitutes, by 
exposing adulterers to a severe penalty, and declaring the tolerant husband 
an accomplice ; by laying penalties on bachelors, and married men without 
children." 

" It used to be the custom of the Russians to crown the bride with a 
garland of wormwood, as typifying the bitterness of the marriage state. 
After the marriage, the bride and groom were allowed to remain together 
for two hours, when they were visited by a deputation of old women, who 
came to search for the signs of the bride's virginity ; if these were apparent, 
the young lady tied up her hair, which before the consummation hung in 
loose tresses over her shoulders. She was then allowed to visit her mc 
and demand of her her marriage portion. It was the custom of both s 
of these people, not more than half a century ago, to bathe together, 
writer of those days related what he had seen as follows : 'lam only just 
returned from being a spectator of one of their customs, at which I could 
not help being a little surprised; it was a promiscuous bath of not less than 
two hundred persons of both sexes. There are several of these public bagnios 
in Petersburg, and every visitor pays a few copecks for admittance. There 
are, indeed, separate spaces intended for the men and women; but they 
seem quite regardless of this distinction, and sit or bathe in a state of abso- 
lute nudity among each other.' In those days, if a woman was barren, the 
husband generally persuaded her to retire to a convent; and if he did not 
succeed by fair means, he was at liberty to whip her into condescension. 
If a woman killed her husband while he was chastising her, she was buried 
in the ground with her head uncovered, and in this state left to perish ; in 
some instances they remained several days in this position before death 
relieved them. In the early part of the present century, however, the very 
attempt to procure abortion was esteemed a capital crime in woman ; if twins 
were born, it was required that one of the innocents should be destroyed." 

11 As has been before mentioned, the institution of marriage in China was 
originated by Fu-hi. He ordered that the men should distinguish them- 
selves from the women by their dress : and his laws against consanguineous 
marriage were so severe, that they could not marry a wife of the same name 
though the relationship were ever so distant. This custom is said to be 
strictly observed to this day." 

"In ancient Sparta the function of woman was to give strong and health j 



678 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

children to the state ; and it was ordered that old or infirm husbands should 
cede their young wives to strong men who could produce vigorous sol- 
diers for the Spartan armies. Young men and women ran races, wrestled, 
and in a nude state bathed together ; and it was adjudged that a man had 
ehe best right to a woman who was the most suitable to become the father of 
fter children. Once, when a Spartan army had been absent for a long period, 
a delegation was selected and sent home to perform the duties of husbands 
for all." 

41 The Athenians bestowed no considerable posts, such as governors and 
ambassadors, on those who were unmarried, or who had not lands and pos- 
sessions. January was the month when nuptials were mostly celebrated, 
and the fourth day was considered the most fortunate." 

" Infidelity, among the orientals, consisted not ingoing with other women, 
but in the husband neglecting his own wife, and not discharging toward 
her conjugal duties. The state not only required that a man should be a 
husband, but also a father." 

''Under Hadrian, a. d. 117, woman first obtained the power to make a 
will. Under Marcus Aurelius, in 171, the children of a woman inherited her 
property by law. Among the Mussulmans the husband is obliged to 
leave a dower to the wife he forsakes; if the marriage is broken by the 
death of the husband, his heirs are obliged to protect and support the widow. 
Manon first prohibited the buying of wives in India, and later the prohibi- 
tion extended throughout Eastern Asia, and later still the same thing was 
effected in Western Asia. In the Talmud, as in the Koran, it was no longer 
to the father, but to the girl herself that the man gave presents when about 
to become her husband; and the price of a wife had been changed to a kind 
of dower for her good." 

u In China, it used to be the custom for one of the public officers to cause 
to be assembled, in a public square, all men wno were thirty years of age, and 
all women who were twenty, who were not married, and have them pun- 
ished." 

" Polygamy is an institution which has remained unchanged throughout 
the whole East, through all changes of time, races, religion, and climate. 
Those even who have given to Asia the purest laws — Zoroaster and Moses 
even — were obliged to make their rigid doctrines conform with this custom. 
Polygamy is an institution characteristic to Asia, as monogamy is of Europe. 
Montesquieu seems to admit that in warm climates it is natural to have 
many wives, and this for the following reasons : In these countries more 
girls than boys are born ; it costs less to support many wives and a numer- 
ous progeny. But that which proves that it exists in all climates and all 
zones, is, that it is found among the Indians of the two Americas, the Tar- 
tars of the two Russias, and Kamschatka, as well as in the heat of the 



HISTORICAL CHIPS.} 679 

tropics." "It is not," remarks Paul Gide, "the result of climate and cir- 
cumstances, but a certain state of civilization, or rather of barbarism." 

11 Under the law of Moses, marriage, even with polygamy, and the facility 
of divorce, might be insufficient to give heirs to a family; the union might 
i>e unfruitful through the fault of the husband." The Hebrews, however, 
claiming greater morality on the score of detesting adultery, but in reality 
feeling simply greater jealousy of their women than the people of India, 
did not allow sharing of conjugal rights, but if husbands, while living, could 
cot give these rights to a brother, they transmitted them to this relative at 
death ; the widow passed with the property into the hands of the brother, 
who, it was thought, should marry her, and give posterity to the departed. 
If he failed in this, and refused to marry the woman, he w T as dishonored in 
the eyes of the people, and forfeited his inheritance, which went to the next 
nearest relative. If a widower left no wire, but did leave a daughter, she 
went with the property, in the same way, and the first male child took the 
name of her father. " Among the Romans," says the missionary Casalis. 
"the wife was the sister of the husband's children; when a father spoke of 
nimself and children, the wife was always considered among the latter."' 

Captain Cook, after his voyage round the world, said of the natives of 
Oceanica, ''that although they were religious, and believed in the immor- 
tality of the soul, they seemed strangers to all notions of marriage, or of 
family, or to even any feeling of modesty." Other travelers confirm this 
account. ' ; Among other savage tribes the women possess some authority. 
Among the tribes of the Tonga Islands,' and among some of those of the 
"\^Test Indies, the children belong to their mother, and not to the father; 
the women participated in all manual labor : rowed the boats, waged war, 
and advised in council." 

' ; The law of marriage among the Philistines was very crude and illy regu- 
lated, as appears from the fact that the father-in-law of Samson gave away 
his daughter Delilah to another husband, upon Samson being some time 
absent from her." 

" The ancient Assyrians assembled together once every year all the mar- 
riageable girls, who were then put up for sale, one after another, by the 
public crier ; the amount received from the sale of the prettier ones was 
divided up into dowries for those who, by deformity, or other reasons, 
could find no purchasers. These dowries, in turn, were employed by such 
unfortunates in the purchase of husbands, or in influencing men to marry 
them." 

"Among all the nations of antiquity, marriage was looked upon as purely 
a civil contract, no priest or prophet having any thing to do with its celebra 
tion." 

" It used to be the practice of the Turks, during the festival of the Bayram, 



680 HISTORY OF MARRIAGB. 

to give their wives the privilege of going abroad closely veiled, and without 
an attendant. This liberty they improved very extensively in illicit intima- 
cies with the Christians at taverns and other public places, as they managed 
to take out under their clothes a change of attire, with which they disguised 
themselves. It is related that on one occasion a young Frenchman, whose 
acquaintance was thus formed by a Turkish lady of quality, was, by the aid 
of a bribed Jew, duly installed in woman's attire, in the household of the 
old Turk, as a servant, and while there, the favorite wife became a mother, 
much to the gratification of the husband, who had supposed himself inca- 
pable of becoming a father. When the young man's beard began to grow, 
he was compelled to escape to avoid detection, but, when he left, his mis- 
tress loaded him with jewels." 

" Formerly, it was a custom to examine into a person's procreative abili- 
ties, either in the presence of a spiritual or secular judge, and several sur- 
geons and matrons; but it was abolished in France in 1077, after having 
been observed for nearly one hundred and twenty years. Justinian, one 
of the early emperors, felt called upon to forbid this and other such customs 
enacted for examining candidates for matrimony." 

■ • Lacedaemonians were remarkable for their severity against those that 
deferred marriage, as well as those who abstained therefrom. No man 
among them could live singly beyond the time limited by their lawgiver, 
without incurring several penalties, as: first, the magistrates commanded 
such ones every winter to run around the public forum quite naked, and, to 
increase their shame, they sang a song, the words of which aggravated their 
crime, and exposed , them to ridicule ; another was to exclude them from 
those exercises in which, according to the Spartan custom, young virgins 
contended naked ; a third penalty was inflicted upon a certain solemnity, 
wherein the women dragged them around the altar, beating them all the 
time with their fists." 

"In Rome, during the empire, under the Caesars, the Roman maidens 
could not walk through the streets without seeing temples raised to the 
honor of Yenus ; that Yenus who was the mother of Rome, as the patroness 
of illicit pleasures ; in every field, and in many a square, statues of Priapus, 
or, in other words, statues fashioned in the image of the procreative organs, 
presented themselves to view, often surrounded by pious matrons in quest 
of favor from the god." 

" The Jews thought so strongly of the importance of marriage, that they 
counted neither man nor woman complete alone, and the man who did not 
produce offspring was in their view a homicide. Among the Brahmins, the 
first three castes chose their wives before they had arrived at puberty, and 
it was considered a disgrace among them to pass that period without being 
married. Among the American Indians, in early times, particularly those- 



HISTORICAL CHIPS. 6S1 

located in Canada, and by Hudson's Bay, barrenness was considered the 
chief grounds for divorce. In China the increase of population was thought 
to be of so much importance to the state, that a bachelor of twenty was 
pointed at and ridiculed as an object of contempt. Throughout the whole 
history of marriage, we find, in all countries, the desire of fruitfulness held 
up as the chief end, until later civilization, with its accompanying education 
of the female sex, brought other tastes into play ; it would seem that the 
sole end of woman was to bear children ; thus, at the marriage ceremonies in 
many countries, brides were strewn with hops, and other flowers and plants 
noted for fruitfulness ; and the heads of bridegrooms were decorated with 
figs and other fruits known to be prolific." 

" In the Spanish dominions, in early times, females were reckoned mar- 
riageable at twelve, and males at fourteen ; and nothing was more common 
in that country, than for a husband and wife to be met with, whose 
united ages would not exceed thirty. Every girl who had attained the age 
of twelve might compel a young man to marry her, provided he had 
reached his fourteenth year, and she could prove he had anticipated the 
rights of a husband with her.'' 

M Nearly a century ago, at Venice, the girls of pleasure received the 
protection of government. They belonged to the entertainments of the 
carnival which could not do well without them. Most of these unfortunate 
females were sold by their parents in their tender infancy ; the agreement 
with the lovers or dealers in virginity was done before a notary public, 
and was considered valid in every court of justice. These nymphs 
observed most strictly their fasts, went daily to mass, and had their special 
tutelar saint, under whose auspices they exercised their profession with a 
good conscience. The courtesans had often the figure of the Yirgin in 
their bedrooms, before whose face they drew a curtain previously to 
sleeping with their gallants. In the matrimonial market, matches were 
commonly made between persons who had never seen each other. Concu- 
binage was a common custom, frequently ending, though, with marriage 
performed at the death-bed of one of the parties." 

"In ancient Peru the marriageable young maidens, nearly or distantly re- 
lated to the Inca, were given in marriage by him, the age being eighteen to 
twenty for the maidens, and twenty-four for the man. This occurred 
annually on a certain day, after which the ministers appointed by liim for 
the purpose in the same manner mated the sons and daughters of the 
inhabitants of Cuzco. The governors of provinces were obliged to follow 
the same rule in their own districts ; the heir to the crown married his own 
sister; in default of one, he married his nearest female blood-relation. 
Amon^r the ancient Peruvians a man felt himself injured if his wife h;id 
been chaste ; biiuilur feeling is said to have existed in Thibet, and j»ome of 



682 HISTORY OF MARRIAGE. 

the South Sea Islands. Women were freely offered to strangers by thei? 
husbands, fathers, or themselves among the natives of Brazil, Pegu, Siam r 
Cochin China, Cambodia, coast of Guinea, and most groups of Polynesia. 
Indeed, the inhabitants of the Pacific groups, separated from each other 
and from all the world, did not appear to have the least idea that 
chastity was a virtue, or its opposite a vice. If women were constant to 
one man, it was simply from inclination, and not from the force of opinion, 
custom or law. These usages still exist to some extent among the peoples 
mentioned in the foregoing." 

" Among the Tartars, a century ago, a woman never saw her husband 
till she was just about to become his wife ; girls went to their marriage 
just about as culprits nowadays go to the gallows. Often they fainted, 
and so greatly did they dread marriage, they would run out of the room 
when it was mentioned." 

" The Zaporog Cassocks used to live in separate communities, the males in 
one place and the females in another. The women were not allowed under 
penalty of death to visit the residence of the men ; but each Zaporog had 
a right to go to the settlement of the women, and select those he chose. 
No man gave himself any trouble to ascertain who was the father of the 
children that were born ; boys were early taken to the settlements of the 
men, and the girls retained in those set apart for the women. The women 
had no freedom in the selection of men, but were obliged to submit to the 
embrace of any free Zaporog who might take a fancy to cohabit with her. 
Four men always lived in the same hut together. If a man fell in love 
with a girl, he was allowed to marry her ; but he lost all right to share 
in the produce of the chase, and was obliged to till the land, and pay 
a certain tribute, which was divided among the Zaporogs of the settle- 
ment, who styled themselves free and noble." 

" Among the ancient Mexicans, marriages were solemnized by the priests, 
and a public instrument was drawn up giving an inventory of the posses- 
sions of the wife, which, in case of separation, were returned to her. The 
hearth or fire was looked upon by these people with religious veneration, 
and considered as a mediator in all domestic disputes ; it answered to the 
domestic gods of the Romans. At Tlascalla they shaved the heads of both 
bride and groom, to signify that in the married state they must put off all 
personal adornments. Divorces were very common, the only law being 
mutual consent" 

" Perhaps the most remarkable instance in connection with the sale of 
women as wives was that of the Thracians, who put up their fairest virgins 
at public sale for the benefit of government, an important means of 
increasing the national revenue which has since been neglected.'" 

" Among the Koreki, a people belonging to Russia in the seventeenth 



HISTORICAL CHIPS. 683 

century, those not given to a wandering life were remarkably free from 
jealousy. The settled Koreki, always when one man visited another, pre- 
sented the wife or daughter for him to lie with ; but those who led a wander- 
ing life were very jealous, and frequently put their wives to death if even 
suspected of infidelity." 

" In the island of Mitylene there was, half a century ago, a small town 
about three days' journey from the capital, whore every stranger, upon his 
arrival, was compelled to marry one of the women, even though his stay 
should be for anight only. If the stranger had property, he had his choice 
of several females, as to which one he should espouse, but a traveler of 
inferior rank was compelled to accept the lady offered him, no matter how 
ugly or plain. In any case the husband could depart the next morning. 
The wife of the night always felt herself under obligation to the stranger, 
for having delivered her from the reproach of virginity, which it was 
ignominious for her to retain, or to surrender to a native of the island." 

u The early Christians, as is well known, were divided into as many sects 
perhaps as now. Among these, the Adamites, as they were called, a sect 
of the second century, who held that the merits of Christ restored them to 
a condition of Adamic innocence, appeared naked in their assemblies, and 
rejected marriage ; they practised promiscuous intercourse, and held it as 
one of the surest means of salvation. This sect was twice revived, once in 
the twelftn century at Antwerp, and again in the fifteenth, among the 
Hussites, in Germany and Bohemia. The Gnostics and Manicheans, sects 
from the second to the sixth century, held the same tenets of promiscuous 
intercourse and rejection of marriage." 

" In Wales, in some portions of Germany, and in our own country some 
fifty years ago. a custom of courtship was quite common, known by us by 
the name of Bundling or Tarrying ; the lover generally came under the 
shadow of the night, and was taken without much reserve to the bed of his 
sweetheart. Here he breathed to her his tender passion, and told her how 
truly he loved her." It is questionable, however, if there were any more 
illegitimate births under that system of courtship than occur nowadays. 

As is usually the case, many chips are wasted, and the writer has picked 
up the last one of any interest which has been saved, in searching for his- 
torical facts, upon which to base this chapter, entitled the History of Mar- 
riage. Those who are interested in these fragmentary narratives of cus- 
toms will be entertained by perusing the next chapter, which will be found 
to contain the prevailing customs of to-day. Much of the chapter which 
follows, however, will be found to possess something more than items for 
the curious. It will pay for every one to give it a thoughtful and careful 
perusaL 




CHAt>TEK IT. 

IV1ARRIACZ AS IT IS IN BARBARISM AND CIVILIZATION. 

- S we have, in the perusal of the foregoing chapter, had 
our eyes turned so long to the past, we will rest them 
by looking a while at the customs of the present day. 
We shall fiW many of them as strange as those of past 
ages. What remains of barbarism have their queer 
usages, and those of civilization are not such as are best 
calculated to promote the happiness «f the human family. If 
children in Christendom are not betrothed before they are born, 
they are generally fettered by parental dictation when they 
arrive at a marriageable age ; and if girls are not sold by the 
public crier, as in ancient Assyria, they are by ambitious mothers, 
and often by themselves, to men who carry long purses. Mankind has not 
yet ceased to traffic in virginity, nor yet have men learned to respect the 
rights of those who differ from them but little in those qualities which 
distinguish the human from the brute creation. I will not, in the outset, 
however, enter extensively into deductions, but proceed to present facts. 
Let us first take a " bird's-eye view" of 

Marriage in the Old World. 

In Egypt, where, over five thousand years ago, the first step toward 
monogamy was made by the institution of the marriage of one man to one 
woman, but with a polygamic admixture of concubinage — polygamy, under 
the auspices of the Mohammedan religion, is now the rule. After marriage 
the women enjoy considerable freedom, but their abhorrence of those who 
do not hold to their religious faith, added to their fear of punishment, make 
them extremely faithful. Then, too, they are usually attended by a eunuch 
whenever they leave the harem. Emmeline Lott, recently writing from 
Egypt to an English newspaper, thus speaks of Egyptian women: — 

" The Egyptian women generally* pass their time in frivolities, except on 
certain days, when they attend to their menage, as I have already explained 
in 'The English G-overness in Egypt,' in pleasing and wheedling their hus- 
bands, studying their gastronomic tastes, and satisfying their whims and 



MARRIAGE IK THE OLD WORLD. 685 

caprices. They delight in relating stories of themselves to their ladies of the 
harem, slaves, and eunuchs, congregated of an evening en famiUe, a kind of 
conversazione, or in listening to the songs of the almehs and their own slaves, 
having their horoscopes cast, and asking their mothers of the harem to 
interpret the dreams they have had during their kef, as Joseph did those of 
Pharaoh of old. The splendid halls of ' the mansion of bliss ' of the great 
Tesound also with complaints. One woman murmurs at her barrenness ; 
another at the favor bestowed by her lord upon her ikbal for the time, 
which raises her jealous feelings to fever pitch. A question of engrossing 
interest is how they can obtain heirs. Their habitual conversation among 
themselves is disgusting beyond conception to European ears; but they 
have been trained up from childhood to converse in that manner, without 
having the slightest idea that by so doing they outrage the feelings of their 
sex ; they do not think there is any harm in so doing, and all a European 
woman could say to them would not convince them to the contrary." 

The Chinese are probably living under about the same marriage system 
established some four thousand five hundred years ago by Fu-hi, but it has 
undoubtedly undergone some modification. Those of the higher class, I am 
informed by a patient residing in Shanghai, are betrothed by the parents at 
three or four years of age, and although the marriage may not take place 
for twenty years, the parties are bound by the arrangement thus made by 
the parents. The betrothed children wear their hair differently from other 
children, so that they are known. The female of this class becomes the 
first wife of the one to whom she is betrothed ; but the Chinaman is al- 
lowed as many wives as he can support, and these he has to purchase. 
These purchased wives are born slaves, and are wholly subject to the con- 
trol of the first wife. It not unfrequently occurs, however, that some of 
the purchased wives are prettiest, and most loved by the husband. '' Poly- 
gamy," remarks Norton, "is the custom in China, but the relations and the 
gradations between the wives are strongly marked. In the emperor's 
family, the first wife is the empress, and is attended by nine other wives, 
and they in turn are assisted by thirty-six of a lower grade, though they 
all bear the title of wives. Marriages among the lower classes are con- 
ducted by professional match-makers, usually old women, who are paid 
high sums for their management of such affairs. The intended bride and 
groom never see each other until their nuptials are prepared. Marriages 
are never made while either of the parties are in mourning. Widows aro 
allowed to marry again, except in the case of the ladies of honor of the 
empress, who are expected to live in celibacy the remainder of their lives." 

The wives who are bought are entirely at the mercy of their " liege lords, " 
who can treat them as they please, and put them away on the forfeiture of 
the purchase-money, A celestial is forbidden to marry a person bearing 



686 



MABKIAGE AS IT IS. 



tlie same name as himself, a musician, or an actor of any kind, or a "widow 
whose husband had distinguished himself, or one who has been convicted 
of any crime'. The bamboo is the penalty attached to all violations of this 
taw. Those in matrimony who cannot agree are allowed to separate. 
Divorces are also granted for the following causes : theft, a jealous temper, 
sterility, immorality, contempt of the husband's father or mother, propensity 
to slander, and habitual ill-health. 



Fig. 158. 




CHINESE MARRIAGE. 

The marriage ceremony of the Chinese is fully described by a contributor 
to Harpers Weekly. ""While staying in Shanghai," he says, "I was invited 
by the compradore of a mercantile hong to visit his house upon an occasion 
of this interesting nature. The bridegroom was a man of thirty-five, one 
of the agents of tho firm at Ilakodadi; the bride was twenty years of age, 
and daughter of a wealthy Shanghai native merchant. All the company 
wore their best dresses : long loose coats or pelisses of dark purple silk, 
lined with skins or embroidered, under which they had lighter gowns of 



MARRIAGE IN THE OLD WORLD. 087 

blue silk ; their heads were covered with silk or velvet hats, topped with 
colored glass buttons and tassels. They sat at several little tables, six 
guests at each, and feasted on twenty-six different dishes. The bridegroom, 
Who was distinguished by wearing a large necklace of crystal and green 
jade, assisted the host and other friends in serving the company. After 
dining, smoking, and drinking tea, they enjoyed a concert of music per- 
formed on shrill instruments. A salute of guns was fired and a few crackers 
let off in the court-yard and street outside. A gorgeously-decorated sedan- 
chair, or rather cage, was then sent to fetch the bride, who arrived at four 
o'clock in the afternoon. The dining-room, in which the ceremony was to 
take place, had been cleared and garnished ; only two tables being left, on 
which were placed several large candlesticks, decked with paper flowers, 
and containing lighted candles ; some joss-sticks were likewise set burning 
on the tables, in front of which a scarlet foot-cloth and cushions were laid 
upon which the wedded pair were to pledge their mutual vows. The com- 
pany was by this time increased by the arrival of many ladies, wives of the 
male guests, handsomely attired in sky-blue silk pelisses, lined with ermine, 
and a profusion of jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, rings, with gold pins, and 
other ornaments in their hair ; they had also their pretty tiny shoes. The 
chair in which the bride was carried having been borne into the room with 
a stately procession, the curtains around the chair were then drawn aside 
by the bride's nurse, who at once led her forth; a bird of the most gorgeous 
plumage, quite a bundle of embroidery, in scarlet, black, and gold, with a 
belt of pink silk and ivory round her waist, and her head crowned with a 
tiara of false jewels, and further decorated with crimson paper flowers upon 
a chignon, and with a crimson silk veil, two feet in length, entirely hiding 
her face. The bridegroom had meantime come in from an adjoining room, 
preceded by a master of the ceremonies, with a lighted candle in each hand. 
Standing near one of the tables, he took three burning joss-sticks in his 
hands, and responded to the questions put to him by a priest, bowing re- 
peatedly at the shrine of the joss or idol, some pictures of whom hung on 
the walls. The bride, having been placed beside him, supported by the old 
nurse, who had a little scarlet flag in her hand, was similarly addressed, 
and made the proper responses. A green ribbon was then handed to the 
bridegroom, and a red one to the bride ; these were knotted together, and 
the new husband, amidst a flourish of music, led off his new wife to their 
nuptial chamber. Here several of their family and friends, including two 
older wives of the same man, awaited them, ranged on each side of the bed- 
stead, to pronounce the prescribed benedictions, and to bestow a quantity 
of ground seed and nuts, of different sorts mixed together, which they did 
not eat, but had sprinkled over them. After a little time the newly-married 
couple returned into the dining-room and sat down to a sumptuous repast. 



588 KAKRIAGE AS IT IS. 

-he old nurse first carefully tasted every article of food, to see whether it 
was fit for her young lady to eat. A baby, two or three months old, was 
then brought and placed on the bride's lap, to test her love for children. 
1'he bride and bridegroom were afterward formally introduced, in their new 
character, to every one of their respective friends and relatives on each side, 
the names being proclaimed by a herald or usher. This lasted an hour or 
iQore, but the gentleman and lady were at last permitted to retire. Large 
•dgwIs of oil, with floating wicks alight, had been placed around the marriage- 
bed, as a votive sacrifice to the deity on their behalf. The bride's trous- 
seau, filling ten huge boxes or trunks, was deposited in one corner of the 
Uoom. After three days' seclusion, the newly- wedded pair began to receive 
Tfisits of social congratulation." 

The Japanese, "as a general thing," remarks Picart, "have but one 
wife, but they can put her away on the smallest provocation. The wives of 
princes and noblemen, who arc permitted to have a number, are kept secluded 
fn harems, but much less rigorously than among the Mohammedans. Like 
the Chinese and other Eastern nations, they betroth their children when 
very young, being careful to avoid any disparity in their ages ; they never 
receive any dower or gifts with their wives, but return to the parents all 
belonging to them, that their wives may not have the slightest reason for 
being wanting in respect toward their lords and masters. The marriage 
ceremonies are in many respects like those of the ancient Greeks and Ro- 
mans, the use of torches, nuts, fruits, and leaves, to signify virility and fruit- 
fuiness, is common among them. The Chinese and Japanese are very 
eimilar in their ceremonies and rites of marriage, as well as in the laws 
and customs that govern them, and indeed the whole Mongolian and Tartar 
vaces follow these laws, customs, and ceremonies to a great degree." 

A recent traveler informs us that while they are allowed one legal wife, 
they may have as many others as their means will permit. The law regu- 
ktes the matter in this way. When a girl's relatives are too poor to sup- 
port her, she may become the member of a plural household, instead of a 
beggar, but the legal wife adopts all the children. It is, therefore, a wise 
Japanese who knows his own mother ! The nominal emperor has twelve 
legal wives, and as many other ones as he chooses. As soon as married, 
the wife of a Japanese is compelled by the custom of the country to shave 
off her eyebrows, and dye her teeth entirely black with a preparation of 
urine, filings of iron, and saka. A gentleman who has seen the Japanese 
in their country, says, the married women, at a distance of two hundred 
yards, look as if they wore black patches over their mouths, their teeth are 
no black and prominent. This ugly stain upon the teeth is made still more 
wiispicuous when they make their toilet on an extra occasion, for then they 
paint their face and necl* white, and color their lips with a preparation 



MARRIAGE IK THE OLD AVORLD. 



689 



'which changes the natural hue to a rich vermilion. Married women aro 
said to be true to their husbands, but the latter take no pains to return tho 
compliment. The law defends the husband who kills the seducer of his 
wife, provided he also kills the faithless wife ; not otherwise. He must 
not slay one without killing the other. If a man finds he cannot havo 
children by his first wife, he invariably marries or purchases another; but 
the first is tho acknowledged mother of the offspring which may result 
therefrom. The women do not suffer much in having children, and the 
general health of the people is good; they also appear tolerably happy. 
The politeness of the Japanese exceeds thai of the French. 

As Japan, with a population of 38,000,000. has, until comparativeiy a 
recent period, been a locked nation, with the key inside, something of the 
religious and social, as well as marriage customs of that country, will be 
interesting to the reader. Its civilization is entirely unlike ours. A gentle- 
man who has 
been among 
them informs 
me that the 
priests go to 
one temple, 
mumble over 
something, 
and then pass 
on to the next. 
There are 
places in the 
temples for 
the people to 
put in rice and 
other things 
for the gods to 
eat. Their re- 
ligion, partic- 
ularly among 
the women, is 

more general a Japanese officer, wife, and Vhild. 

than the Christian religion is among our people. Tradesmen, if they havo 
not had good luck one day, put up taper3 in their rooms for good luck on 
the next. Their gods have little bells to them, which the people jingle 
when they begin worship. The bells are to waken up the godo. The 
Japanese at the beginning of the year pay off all their debts, and if neces- 
sary to enable them to do so, they sell their daughters to prostitution for 




690 MABRIAGE AS IT IS. 

one or more years, or hire them out for the same purpose. A man can buy 
a Japanese girl out and out, as long as he wants her, for $200. Some of 
these girls who are sold in this way are very well educated. If sold for a 
few years only, they return again to their parents at the expiration of the 
period, and frequently marry. To be sold or hired out this way is not con- 
sidered a disgrace, and they are as much respected afterward as before. 
The women are more passionate than the same class in China. At fifteen 
years of age the girls go to a custom-house to get a license before they can 
be hired out. The license costs about two or three cents. 

Prostitution in Japan is regularly licensed by the government, and the 
houses occupied for the purpose often cover large blocks in the cities. 
Licensing these places, however, is not so cruel, or so incompatible with 
morality there as in Christian nations, because the inmates are not dis- 
graced by their vocation. In the caste to which they belong they are 
entirely respectable, and are not regarded with less esteem by the higher 
castes in consequence of their sexual practices. They may leave at any 
time and contract honorable marriage. The consequence of this treatment 
is an avocation which in Christian cities renders its votaries dissipated, 
irreligious, and abandoned, has little effect upon the moral and reli- 
gious character of Japanese women who are disposed to pursue it ; but in 
physical health, they, too, must become victims more or less to those dis- 
eases which are contracted or generated by excessive and promiscuous 
cohabitation where passion or affection is absent. It is said, however, that 
they are comparatively healthy, and if so, it is undoubtedly mainly due to 
their habits of frequent bathing. Personal uncleanliness does not appear 
to constitute one of their vices. This fact would naturally do much to 
limit the production and dissemination of venereal disorders, usually so com- 
mon in the dens of harlotry. 

"Bathing-houses," remarks a writer, "are among the institutions of 
Japan, but their regulations are very peculiar. Looking into one, we saw a 
platform about two feet above the floor, on which stood a number of adults 
of both sexes, and also several children, washing themselves, and romping 
about in a state of entire nudity. People were passing in and out all the 
time, and several women with children in their arms were chatting with 
the bathers in the most unconcerned manner. As we looked in, our strange 
countenances attracted attention for a moment, and then tke bathers 
resumed their ablutions with a pleasant air of nonchalance." " Among 
the humbler population of Japan," remarks another writer, "the birth 
of female children is not regarded as a misfortune, as in China — a 
missgo to be averted by infanticide. Here sufficient avenues for 
employment are not wanting. Besides the light labors of the farm 
and loom, the picking of tea, the culture of silk-worms, there is em- 



MARRIAGE IX TflE OLD TVORLD. 



691 



ployment in many light manufactures, in the shops as assistants, 
saleswomen, keepers of the accounts, keepers of the purse for more 
indolent or unoccupied, M ,„ 

r Fig. lbO. 

or possibly more sub- 
missive husbands. Let 
our social reformers 
take heart that this is 
in conservative Japan, 
a place shut up and 
sealed up for three cen- 
turies from the benign 
influences of accidental 
civilization!" 

"The farmers as a 
class, 1 ' continues the 
same writer, " hold an 
intermediate rank in 
the social scale. Of 
all whose position is 
not hereditary, they 
hold the best place. 
It is from their ranks 
that the government 
infuses new strength 
into the soldier caste, 
and the grades of civil 
service are possible to 
conspicuous and well- 
sustained merit. And 
in a land like this, 
where family alliances are the touchstone of caste, it is no mesalliance for 
a noble to wed the daughter of the great landholder, and the proudest 
chief in the land lifts to his side as concubine the farmer's daughter, by 
Whose charms of person he has been captivated, and whose offspring may 
inherit all his rank and privileges. She may not bo his wife, but she may 
be hi3 ' side-wife,' as her title indicates, and may, as in patriarchal days, 
be his best beloved, and the mother of his heirs. For though other things 
being equal, the son of the real wife has precedence by custom, there is 
nothing to prevent the course of descent being directed, when interest, or 
love, or pride, or natural incapacity or unfitness in the wife's children 
intervenes, to the children of the side-wife, or even to an adopted son." 

In Asiatic Russia, the Calmuck Tartar seizes the woman of his choice^ 




A JAPANESE GIRL OF HUMBLE RANK. 



692 MABBIAGE AS IT IS. 

carries her off oa horseback, and if successful in keeping her over night, 
she becomes his wife. The Tungoose Tartars try races on horseback for 
their wives. The lady has a good start, and if her pursuer overtakes her v 
she must become his wife. The ladies are distinguished for their eques^ 
trian accomplishments, and are seldom caught unless they desire to be. 
"Among the Orim Tartars," remarks Goodrich, "courtship and marriage 
are encumbered with ceremonies. The parties seldom see each other till 
the ceremony, and the contract is made with the heads of the tribe. At 
the period of the wedding, the villagers near are feasted for several days. 
The bride is bound to show every symptom of reluctance. There .is a contest 
between the matrons and girls for her possession. The priest asks the 
brid© if she consents, and on the affirmative, blesses the couple in the name 
of the prophet, and retires. There is great ceremony and cavalcade when 
the bride is carried to her future home. She is conveyed in a close car- 
riage, under the care of her brothers, while the bridegroom takes an 
humble station in the procession, dressed in his worst apparel, and badly 
mounted. A fine horse is led for him by a friend, who receives from the 
mother of the bride a present of value, as a shawl." 

Among the Siberians, of one tribe, it is said "the wife pulls off her hus- 
band's boots, as a sign of her obedience." In another, "the bride's father 
presents the bridegroom with a whip, with which he is instructed to disci- 
pline her as often as he finds occasion." In another, " the bride is carried 
on a mat at night to the bridegroom, with the exclamation ' There, wolf, take 
thy lamb!'" 

In Persia, according to the New American Cyclopedia, " there are two 
kinds of marriages: those which are permanent and respectable, and in 
which the husband is restricted to four wives; and another kind, called 
seegha, in which a contract of marriage is made for a limited period never 
exceeding ninety years." This is a reasonable limit! "The latter species 
of marriage may be contracted with an indefinite number of women, who 
are generally, however, of an inferior rank, and perform menial services for 
the proper wives. The children of both classes are regarded as perfectly 
equal iu station and legitimacy. Among the great mass of the people, a man 
has rarely more than one wife, and the condition of the women seems to be 
easy and comfortable. The ladies of the upper class lead an idle, luxurious, 
monotonous life. Contrary to the common opinion in Christendom, they 
enjoy abundant liberty, more, perhaps, than the same class in Europe; the 
complete envelopment of the face and person disguises them effectually from 
the nearest relatives, and destroying, when convenient, all distinction of rank 
gives unrestrained freedom. Much of their time is spent in the public bath- 
house, and in visits to their friends. "Women of the higher class frequently 



MARRIAGE IN THE OLD WORLD. 



693 



acquire a knowledge of reading and writing, and become familiar with the 
works of the chief Persian poets. These, however, are the best aspects of fe- 
male life in Persia. On the other hand, Fig. 161. 
it is certain that in the anderoons, or har- 
ems of the rich, there is often much cruel- 
ty and suffering, and the greatest crimes 
are perpetrated with impunity. There 
is nothing to check the severity of an 
ill-tempered or vicious husband ; though 
sometimes an ill-treated slave or wife 
redresses and terminates her wrong by 
administering a dose of poison." 

Picart remarks that the priests in 
Persia " can have but one wife, unless 
she proves barren, when they can put 
her away and take others, until they 
find one more fruitful." Notwithstand- 
ing the Persians share the oriental 
idea that women were created for the 
main purpose of reproduction, accord- 
ing to the author last quoted, they 

° . ., , .. , . . _ A PERSIAN LADY! 

strangely enough consider child-birth 0r so mnch of her ag we are permitted t0 
to carry with it pollution; lying-in see! What pretty eyes! Whatvolup- 
women are obliged to be purified, and tuouslips! What rosy cheeks ! 

also kept at a distance from their Isn't she beautiful ? 

friends and neighbors." The early Christians, sharing this idea to some 
extent, used to call in the priests after the birth of a child, who carried on 
some ceremony over the bed of the mother, which was supposed to absolve 
her from all uncleanliness. 




Ix the Island of Formosa, as related in Alexanders History of "Woman, 
" daughters are more regarded than sons, because as soon as a woman i.i 
married, contrary to the custom of other countries, she brings her husband 
home with her to her father's house, and he becomes one of the family, so 
that parents derive aid and family strength from the marriage of a daughter ; 
whereas sons, on their marriage, leave the family forever." The Formosans, 
in company with the inhabitants of most of the Indian Islands, are, according 
to Picart, practically polygamists, and leave their wives whenever it suits their 
inclination. "The fact is," says this writer, " the whole system of marriage 
among the island nations resolves itself into a species of concubinage, 
governed by certain rites and ceremonies, having no special legal or religious 
ciiaracter," 



694 Carriage as t? is. 

In the Island of Jaya, we are told, by Lady Hamilton, " when any one 
of the emperor's wives commits infidelity, she is punished with death. 
Thirteen of these unfortunate creatures were executed in one day for this 
crime ; they were tied to posts, and poisoned with the upas" 

At Pegu, according to the same writer, "parents sell their daughters to 
strangers for a longer or shorter period, at will. The king of Pegu has but 
one wife, though he has a large army of concubines. 

The Druses, remarks Lady Hamilton, " are the most jealous people in 
the world, being so much so that no one dares to ask another after the 
health of his wife and fanrily, for fear of causing their death at the hands 
of the infuriated husband and father." 

In the Birman Empire polygamy is prohibited, but a man may have as 
many concubines as he can comfortably support. Wives are sold into con- 
cubinage or prostitution on actions of debt, if the husband has not the 
means to liquidate. 

In Hindostan marriage takes place at eleven, or as soon after as the 
parties arrive at puberty, the arrangements for which are usually conducted 
by the parents, who, on the bride's side, expect and generally receive ex- 
pensive presents as payment for the wife furnished. A father or guardian, 
cannot dispose of a younger daughter in marriage before the elder. When 
the husband is absent, it is expected of the wife that she will appear mourn- 
ful, dress herself in the plainest clothing, eat plain food, and keep away 
from the window of her apartment ; she must indeed appear sorrowful and 
wretched. " The Hindoos," says Lady Hamilton, " allow polygamy only to 
the Brahmins. The women venerate marriage, believing that those that dio 
virgins are excluded from the joys of paradise." (This is discouraging to 
old maids, if true!) "As is well known, the Hindoo women love and re- 
spect their husbands, and at their death willingly immolate themselves on 
the funeral pyre. They begin to bear children at twelve, and as this duty 
is considered the only important one of the wife, they have them in largo 
numbers." In the west of Hindostan, on the coast of Malabar, women are 
allowed a plurality of husbands. A traveler remarks that "they are a 
martial people, and possess a great deal of the spirit of knight-errantry, in- 
somuch that their tournaments frequently end in blood. The husbands are 
not exactly tenants in common in regard to her favors. Each enjoys her 
attentions exclusively at appointed periods, according to her inclinations, 
and no one is allowed to enter her apartments while the arms of a co-partner 
in domestic affairs are over the door. She resides at the domicile of her 
friends, and, when she becomes a mother, nominates a father in each case, 
and he is bound to maintain the child." 

A writer in the Literary J.lbum tells us of a curious people called tho 



MARRIAGE IN THE OLD WORLD. 695 

"Todas," who live upon a range of mountains, called in English vernacular, 
Blue Mountains, in the southern part of the empire of Hindostan. "One of 
the worst traits in their character," remarks this writer, "is their destruc- 
tion of most of their female children, and the barbarous manner in which 
it is effected. The infant is placed within the buffalo camp, and is then 
trampled to death by the animals which are driven in. The natural con- 
sequences which result from this are a scarcity of the female sex, and the 
institution of polyandry among them. Each woman is permitted to have as 
many as seven husbands, who are mostly brothers, when the case will per- 
mit of it. It is said that no jealousy or ill-feeling arises from this singular 
custom/ ' It appears from the further narrative of this writer, that the 
Todas have their prejudices growing out of caste. There are the aristocrats, 
the middling kind of people, and the common people, and a Toda belonging 
to one class cannot marry a Toda belonging to another class. So it is seen 
that they are even with us in some respects. It is pleasant to know that 
in this one particular we are not inferior to barbarians ! 

In Thibet, remarks a writer, "one woman becomes the wife of a whole 
family of brothers ; and this custom prevails in all classes of society. The 
oldest brother chooses the bride and consummates the family marriage. 
Travelers relate instances of five or six brothers living under one roof, in 
this manner, in great harmony." The women are active and industrious, 
and are said to "enjoy a higher consideration than in other oriental coun- 
tries." 

In Abyssinia a kind of free-love system prevails. "Mutual consent," 
remarks Lady Hamilton, "is one form of marriage among them, and this 
dissoluble at pleasure. They cohabit together when they please, and annul 
or renew the contract in the same manner. Thus a woman or man of the 
first quality may be in company with a dozen who have been their bride- 
groom or bride, though perhaps none of them may be so at present. Upon 
separation, they divide the children. The eldest son falls to the mother's 
choice, and the eldest daughter to the father. There is no distinction, from 
the prince to the beggar, of illegitimate or legitimate children/' 

In the Bareary States marriage negotiations are conducted entirely by 
parents, the candidates for matrimony not seeing each other, in many cases, 
before the bargain has been agreed upon. The marriage is attended with 
rejoicing, and the " bride is carried home in a cage, placed on a mule, at- 
tended with music. Divorce is easy for both parties, and the wife can dis- 
solve the contract if her husband curses her more than twice. For the first 
curse he must pay her eighty ducats, and for the second a rich dress. A 
man may have four wives, and as many concubines as he chooses. The 
Jews in Barbary are numerous and much oppressed. The house of a Jew, 



696 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

and all its sacred relations, is open to every Moor who chooses to violate 
it." The Moors sell their daughters in marriage, and the whole nego- 
tiation is conducted by the parents, without respect to the wishes of 
those most interested. 

The Congoes of the Congo River, according to the Rev. Isaac Cad- 
man, who was for many years a missionary in Central Africa, have 
peculiar customs. The account he has kindly prepared for the author re- 
garding them is as follows: "Descent is reckoned from mother and not 
from father ; the Congoes believe it is a wise child who knows its own 
father. Polygamy is prevalent among them for these reasons : First — 
Women will not know a man after she finds that she is pregnant (they — 
the women — insist on this, as custom is on their side). Second — They 
have a great desire for children. Third — A man is respected according 
to the number of his wives. Fourth — One wife cannot support herself 
and children and husband by her work. 

"In order to be engaged a man must take food to the parents of the 
girl, and, if they partake, it is favorable to the man's interest ; then he 
must make a 'rozamba/ or dress, for the girl, and, if she accept of it, 
the preliminaries are settled. He then takes cloth to the amount of 
thirty dollars to the parents and the matter is finally settled, and if the 
girl is old enough and desires cohabitation, and the man has his hut 
prepared, they start out on a period of probation which, if it prove the 
unsuitability of either party for the other, the girl returns to her 
mother. The Congoes justify this by saying they do not wish to see their 
daughters unhappy. The majority of the Congo girls are innocent 
creatures up to this age, notwithstanding that they know all the facts 
of marital life, and many of them dread the initial period of connubial 
life. They have no terms for husband and wife ; the term used to ex- 
press this relationship is 'ukasi/ or partner. The woman must find all 
the utensils for cooking, and hoes for her fields ; the man must find a 
house, keep it in repair, fish, hunt and barter, and sew the woman's 
clothes. The man uses the woman sexually, but has no share in the 
fruit of her womb. If the man dies and the woman is a free woman, 
she takes her children to her tribe. If the woman is free, children are 
free, even though the father is a slave, and vice versa. 

' ' The man pays his ' cloth ' for the services of the woman in the field 
only, and if she fail to keep her part of the agreement and supply him 
with food, he can demand the return of his ' cloth ' and send her back 
to her village, and she tales her utensils with her" 

[The practice in Congo of returning their wives to their mothers if 
not satisfactory has been opposed by the missionaries, according to Nor- 
ton, * ' but the natives insist that it is not right to risk the happiness of 
their daughters in an indissoluble union with persons with whose habits 



MARRIAGE IN 'THE OLt) WORLD. 



697 



and tempers they are not acquainted." There is some sense in this, 
even though it be an idea emanating from the brain of a Congo negro. 
A doting and fond mother in our civilization, when she commits her 
daughter to the hands of the one who becomes her husband, experiences 
very much the same sorrow that she does when she commits her to the 
tomb. With all the festivity usual upon a wedding-day, 'there may 
almost always be found two anxious hearts, if the parents are living 
spectators. A mother of strong affections generally watches with many 
misgivings her daughter, as she approaches the marriageable age ; and 
it is no uncommon thing to hear her give expression to her solicitude 
as to the future happiness of her child, and her wish that her daughter 
had not reached the age which constitutes her a candidate for matri- 
mony.] 

In continuation of Mr. Cadman's narrative, women are isolated from 
their houses when passing through the menstrual period. When giving 
birth to children, the scene is open to every one's gaze. Children howl 
and make a noise which the elders accentuate to the best of their lung- 
power. The woman bends herself back on her limbs and forces the 
child down the vaginal passage. " Circumcision is prevalent among 
the men. Little boys will willingly undergo this operation, incited to 
do so by their mothers, who tell them Fig 162. 

that they will not be able to get a wife 
unless they are circumcised. I believe 
it is a fact, as I have been informed by 
the women, that they will not allow a 
Congo man to know them unless he is 
circumcised. While the girls are often 
betrothed at an early age, yet the men 
do not know them until they are fully 
developed;" 

The Amazulu Tribes of the Bantu, 
as described by Mr. Cadman, surpass 
the Congoes in their strange usages. 
Polygamy is practiced among them, 
and for substantially the same reasons 
as given by the Congoes. A young 
man selects a girl and pays her atten- 
tion, and if he be her choice she will 
allow him to sleep with her, and then an incomplete copulation, known 
in their language as 'hlabonga/ takes place. The young woman ap- 
pears to be much impressed by this act. either in favor of or against 
the young man. 

14 While this practice is common among the Amazulu people, and is 




ZULU DOCTOR. 



ggg MAERIAGE AS IT IS. 

often indulged in by the young men and women, very seldom, if ever, 
does a case of illegitimacy occur from it. Their native laws act as a 
salutory preventive to the energies of the young overstepping the 
bounds of custom. When the young man and woman have arrived at 
the marriageable age the young man consults his father about the mat- 
ter, who then interviews the father of the girl, and the fathers settle 
between them the dower to be paid, the amount of which is largely de- 
termined by her beauty and rank. This dower is paid in cattle or sheep 
or goats. Twelve cows are considered the just equivalent of an ordi- 
nary Zulu woman. Many of them are married with the understanding 
that some of the girls (offspring of the marriage) shall be the children 
of the mother's father. The marriage is celebrated with great pomp 
and gayety, such as feasting, dancing and song by the warriors and 
women gathered together. The bride wears a veil, and has a knife in 
her hand during the dancing and while she is attended by the women of 
her tribe. The ceremonial part is over when the bridegroom leads the 
bride into a hut and removes the veil, which signifies that her face is 
hidden to all men but her husband. Then commence the orgies of 
eating and drinking unlimited quantities of beef and ' joualla } (native 
beer). Finale — broken heads and sj3ears ! 

tl The bride may be enciente in a few weeks after her marriage, and if 
this be so, according to custom, her husband visits her no more until 
the child is weaned from the breasts. It is no uncommon thing to see 
a Zulu woman working in the fields on the very eve of her motherhood, 
leave the work of hoeing for a few hours until maternity pangs have 
passed, and then resume her occupation of planting or hoeing, as the 
^ase may be, having triumphantly passed out of the valley of death 
bringing with her a young life. 

•" The women are excluded from the rest of the village during the 
period of menses. The men are circumcised, and wear a kind of egg- 
shell-shaped thing called ' uwate ' in their language, on the head of the 
organ. This is considered to be full dress for the men and no woman 
•dreams of being annoyed if this brief little dress is in its proper place 
on the person of the man when he appears in her presence ! n 

This missionary gave some further information orally in respect to 
the Zulus. He says both the men and women shave the hair from the 
sexual organs every day, or every other day, with an instrument of sharp 
flint. He knows of no sexual diseases among the Zulus excepting those 
brought among them by the whites. Wherever the white settlements 
are there are cases of syphilis, but not where the Zulus are living by 
themselves. He knew of no cases of spermatorrhoea among the young 
Zulus. He thinks they are remarkably strong in their sexual organs, 
and that the men are unusually large in their sexual development. ' 



MAKRIAGE IN THE OLD WOELD. 



699 



Among the Caffres of Southern Africa weddings are celebrated aftet 
the consent of the parents and the girl, there being no ceremony. If 
the girl looks coldly on her lover, he wins her by force of arms, fighting 
all his rivals seriatim until he has fought himself into her affections. 

In the more civilized portions of the old world are found both the 
monogamic and polygamic systems of marriage, and in the customs of the 
people the latter prevails to a greater extent than is guaranteed by their 
laws. 

Ix England, the monogamic system of marriage, as in our own country, 
is professedly established by law, but public opinion tacitly sustains poly- 
gamy for husbands, as may be reasonably inferred from her new divorce 
law, which denies the wife a decree of divorce for adultery ( unless incestu- 
ous) on the part of the husband, but entitles the husband to such a decree 
for any adulterous acts on the part of the wife. 

u The grounds of the dissolution of marriage are, on the part of the wife, simple 
adultery ; but on the part of the husband, the adulter ij must be incestuous ( that is, 
adultery with any woman, whom, if his wife were dead, he could not lawfully 
marry, by reason of her being within the prohibited degrees of consanguinity or 
affinity) or accompanied with bigamy, whether this bigamy occurred within or 
without the British dominions, or accompanied by cruelty such as would by 
itself entitle the wife to a judicial separation or by desertion, without reason- 



Fig. 163. 



able excuse, for two years and upward. 
Rape, and the crime against nature com- 
mitted by the husband, are also grounds 
upon which the wife can obtain a divorce. 
But the court must be satisfied not only 
of the fact of the adultery alleged, but also 
that the petitioner was not accessory to it, 
nor connived at it, nor has condoned, that 
is, pardoned it, and also that there is no 
collusion between the parties — in any of 
which cases, the petition is to be dis- 
missed ; nor is the court bound to pro- 
nounce a decree of divorce if it should be 
made to appear that the other party had 
also been guilty of adultery, or of un- 
reasonable delay in presenting and prose- 
cuting the petition, or of cruelty toward 
the other party, or of desertion without tite English girl. 

reasonable excuse, or of such willful neglect or misconduct as has conduced 
to the adultery. 

"The court has the power in all cases, according to its discretion, to 




700 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

grant alimony to the wife, either by way of a round sum or an annual pay- 
ment during her life, and to make interim orders, by way of alimony or 
otherwise. The latter power also extends to the judges authorized to grant 
judicial separations. 

"If the husband is the petitioner, he must make the alleged adulterer a 
co-respondent, unless excused from it by the court. If the wife is the 
petitioner, it is in the discretion ©f the court to require that the woman with 
whom the adultery is alleged should also be made a co-respondent. If the 
adultery is established, the court is authorized to impose the whole or a 
part of the costs of the proceeding upon the adulterer. Either of the parties 
is entitled to insist on a trial by jury. The petitioner is liable to be 
examined under oath, at the discretion of the court, but is not bound to 
answer any question tending to show that he or she has been guilty of 
adultery. 

"The husband, either in connection with a petition for a judicial separa- 
tion, or a divorce, or by a distinct process, may claim damages against an 
adulterer, which damages, if recovered, shall be applied, at the discretion of 
the court, for the benefit of the children of the marriage, if any, or as a 
provision for the maintenance of the wife." 

The foregoing is a condensation of the new law, as given by one of our 
daily journals. Although a decided improvement on its predecessor, it lacks 
the liberality which the spirit of the age demands, and indicates most strik- 
ingly the prerogative married men arrogate to themselves. It also exhibits 
a curious kind of sexual morality, when it renders the petitioner for divorce 
liable to examination under oath, with the understanding that he or she need 
not answer any question tending to show that the petitioner had been 
guilty of adultery. An adulteress's husband may obtain divorce from her, if 
he can prove that she is guilty of adulter}^ notwithstanding his own conduct 
may have been at variance with what he requires of his wife. During the 
discussion of the new bill, one of the members of Parliament in substance 
remarked, that if the law should be made equally binding on the husband, 
every gentleman in the house might be legally deprived of his wife 1 

Marriages among'the higher classes of English are governed by considera- 
tions of wealth and title, with little reference to love. The marriage of an 
aristocrat with a person in humble life cannot be tolerated. All sorts of 
incongruous companionships are therefore formed in high circles. " Espe- 
cially have English princesses," remarks a writer, "been unlucky in their 
matrimonial connections. More particularly is this true of princesses of the 
house of Hanover. To go back to Sophia, daughter of George the First, 
who married the first William Frederick of Prussia, she, poor thing, was 
almost daily beaten by her husband, a man whose brutality amounted almost 
to insanity. Once she was nearly fc*llp.cL bv, him, with her daughter, and 



MARRIAGE IN THE OLD WORLD. 



V01 



often was m imminent fear of her life. He denied her sometimes the com- 
mon necessaries of life. She used to say, sarcastically, in her old age, that 
the only kind words he ever addressed to her were, ' Sophia, get up and see 
me die/ 

" The eldest daughter of G-eorge the Second made a match only less un- 
happy. She was twenty-four before she was married at all; and then had 
to take the deformed Prince of Orange, because he was the only Protestant 
prince in Europe of suitable age. Her father expostulated with her on the 
malformation of her proposed bridegroom. - Were he a Dutch baboon,' she 
answered, tired Fig. 164. 

out with her po- 
sition at home, ' I 
would marry him.' 
It was the custom 
of that coarse age 
for a bride and 
groom, on the nup- 
tial evening, to sit 
up in bed, in costly 
night-dresses, to 
receive the com- 
pliments of their 
friends. On this 
occasion, as the 
royal family and 
nobility denied 
past the prince 
and princess, wh j 
were magnificent 
in lace and silver, 
the queen, the 
bride's own moth- 
er, declared that victoria in the irime op life. 
when she looked at the bridegroom from behind, he seemed to have no head, 
and when she looked at him in front, she could not, for the life of her, tell 
where his legs were. "Walpole or Henry, we forget which, records the anec- 
dote. The princess lived to regret her maiden condition at her father's 
court, even witd all the neglect that attended it. 

u Another daughter of George the Second married the Landgrave of 
Hesse, the same who afterward sold his soldiers to England, in order to 
assist in conquering these colonies. He was so brutal, that his wife, at last, 
Jud to desert him and seek refuge in her native country. A third married 




702 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

the king of Denmark, who abused her shamefully, openly insulting her in 
the presence of an unprincipled woman, who shared what he had of affection. 
She died, partly of a broken heart, partly of a cruel disease, at the early age 
of twenty-seven. " 

The undercurrent of English married life jets out a little in one of Thack- 
eray's novels, where he asks: "Who dared first to say that marriages are" 
made in heaven ? We know that there are not only blunders, but roguery 
in the marriage office. Do not mistakes occur every day, and are not the 
wrong people coupled ? Had heaven any thing to do with the bargain by 
which young Miss Blushrose was sold to old Mr. Hoarfrost? Did heaven 
order young Miss Fripper to throw over poor Tom Spooner, and marry the 
wealthy Mr. Bung? You may as well say that horses are sold in heaven, which, 
as you know, are groomed, are doctored, are chanted on to the market, and 
warranted by dexterous horse- venders as possessing every quality of blood, 
pace, temper, and age. Against these Mr. Greenhorn has his remedy some- 
times ; but against a mother who sells you a warranted daughter, what remedy 
is there ? You have been jockeyed by false representations into bidding for 
the Cecilia, and the animal is yours for life. She shys, kicks, stumbles, has 
an infernal temper, is a crib-biter — and she was warranted to you by her 
mother as the most perfect, good-tempered creature, whom the most timid 
could manage! You have bough t her. She is yours. Heaven bless you I 
Take her home, and be miserable for the rest of your days. You have no 
redress. You have done the deed. Marriages were made in heaven, you 
know; and in yours, you were as much sold as Moses Primrose was when 
he bought the gross of green spectacles." 

Among the lower classes more freedom is allowed by the social rules by 
which they are governed, but still the glitter of gold is frequently more 
captivating than the throbbings of a good heart, among these. Many a 
marriage is consummated where a purse is held by one or the other, which 
would hardly be contemplated in its absence. Marriages in England are 
legal if solemnized by customary formalities, civic or ecclesiastic. Mari- 
tal contracts to take place at some future date, if recognized by both 
parties, and followed by cohabitation, have also been decided as legal. 

The marriage laws of Ireland correspond in all essential particulars with 
those of England. In Scotland, however, there is less difficulty in " getting 
spliced," a simple declaration of the parties before a competent witness being 
sufficient to make the "twain one flesh." As in some of the States in this 
country, it is no trick to get the knot tied, but a mighty difficult one to get 
it untied. Gretna Green, located near the border of England, was famous 
at one time as a marrying place, and was resorted to extensively by English 
fugitives, who found a blacksmith ready to listen to all such declarations for 
a small fee. 



MARRIAGE IX THE OLD WORLD. 703 

In Spadt little fidelity is known among married people. Jealousy never 
finds place in the Spanish breast, and the "liberty of married women has do 
limit except their own discretion," which, owing to an ardent temperament, 
interposes but a feeble restraint. Marriages are generally arranged by the 
friends or parents of the parties, and solemnized by the priests, whose 
powers in that country are despotic. Lord Byron, in describing the cus- 
toms of the Spaniards, in a letter to his mother, from Cadiz, wrote as 
follows : — 

M I beg leave to observe that intrigue here is the business of life ; when a 
woman marries she throws off all restraint, but I believe their conduct is 
chaste enough before. If you make a proposal which in England would 
bring a box on the ear from the meekest of virgins, to a Spanish girl, she 
thanks you for A ^e honor you intend her, and replies, ' Wait till I am mar- 
ried, and I shall be too happy.' This is literally and strictly true. 

"The Spanish lady may have her cortejo as well as the Italian her 
cicisbeo. It is Spanish etiquette for gentlemen to make love to every woman 
with whom they have the opportunity, and a Spanish lady of rank has said 
that she would heartily despise the man who, having a proper opportunity, 
did not strenuously solicit every favor she could grant. Every Spanish 
woman reckons this as a tribute due to her charms ; and, though she may 
be far from granting all the favors a man can ask, she is not the less 
affronted if he does not ask them.'' Yet the husbands of Spanish ladies, 
like those in all other countries, are under still less restraint than their 
wives. 

It was once a custom in Barcelona, Spain, to lead out of the foundling 
hospital in procession all marriageable girls brought up in it, and as the pro- 
cession passed, the masculine bystanders in search of wives indicated their 
selections by throwing a handkerchief at the object of their choice. 

In France, marriages among the higher classes are arranged by the 
parents or relatives of the parties, and generally solemnized by the priests. 
Separations are more common than divorces, "agreeing to disagree " being 
settled upon by the parties themselves. " The boudoir," remarks Goodrich 
"is the sanctuary of a married dame, and the husbaud who should enter it 
unbidden would regard his power more than his character; he would bear 
the reproach of society, and be deemed a brute ; for it is a great evil in 
French society that the unmarried females have too little freedom, and the 
married quite too much. The boudoir is a fit retreat for the Graces, and 
other females of the mythology. Paintings, statues, vases, and flowers, 
nature and art. combine to adorn it. It is the palace Armida, the bower of 
Calypso: but it breathes of Helicon less than of Paphos." Professional 
engagements have prevented me from spending mnch time in social 
studies in European countries, and desiring to know something of Parisian 



f 04 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

society, I addressed a letter of inquiry to a personal friend— an Intelligent 
and gifted young woman, at this writing a resident of Paris— who favored 

me with an interesting response. 

" In the first place," remarks my correspondent, <c woman is not very much 
esteemed in Paris. That clever Frenchwoman, Madame Audouard, says 
that women exist for the Frenchmen only while they are young and pretty. 
A woman is loved, but not esteemed, and almost never spoken of as an intel- 
ligent creature. All this is the result of the system of education of the 
young girls. Not to seem to judge too harshly, I find that tfie young girl 
of Paris, with the well-to-do and aristocratic classes,, after subtracting from 
her her dot (dower), is a woman more or less innocent, but helpless, and 
almost a nonentity. The system pursued which accomplishes this result, as 
near as I can gather, is to keep her as dependent as possible, the parents 
dictating the minutest details of her life. Neither familiar conversation or 
general reading give her the slightest hint of those subjects that am ! She 
is scarcely ever permitted to be alone, never to go into society, to walk or 
to receive company alone. There are mothers willing to vouch to any gen- 
tlemen willing to take their daughters off their hands, that they have never 
been in the society of man one moment without the presence of their 
mothers, or some other person competent to take charge of them. This, of 
course, is a highly satisfactory guaranty for the past, but, in my opinion, a 
worse than no guaranty for the future. Young girls must not read Moliere, 
who is moral as far as plot is concerned, but sometimes free in language, 
like our Shakespeare. Neither must they read the journals, which, it is 
true, are sometimes quite beyond the stretch of decency. The young girls 
employ themselves in various little feminine arts, and read a literature 
written expressly for them. 

" When mademoiselle, with her dot (dower), is married, this unnatural 
pressure is removed, and the more or less ignorant girl has her liberty at a 
single stroke. Timid natures cling to their families, and are still the child. 
Instances are very common here where the young wife prefers her mother's 
home, and it is with difficulty that the husband can keep her with him. It 
is the other sort of natures that rush into dissipation, and if they are a little 
or very wild, society does not turn its back upon them. 

" I have heard it said here that any man can kiss a French girl the second 
time he meets her. This must depend upon individual character ; if she is 
inexperienced some people would call it a weakness, others a fault. In 
America one might have a worse misfortune befall them than to be kissed; 
not exactly the same here, though, where Frenchmen, to state it very 
mildly, are rather impetuous. Having by caprice a poetical, but never a 
practical respect for women, they consider the least favor a carte blanche 
for many more. For instance, if a young girl gazes around at a ball or 



Marriage Of the old world. 70- 

theatre, as many American girls do, she is pretty sure to receive a chat 
lengfi. 

Fig. 165. 



EUGENIE IN* HER YOUNGER DAYS. 



•'The conversation with married women is very much more free than with 
us. In common table-talk it is considered nothing to remark that such a 
lady is enciente — that such an animal or individual is in chaleur. Many 
30* 



706 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

cnings that certainly are natural, but which our taste forbids, are spoken of 
by their real names, and with perfect coolness. This freedom of conversa- 
tion is carried into the other details of life. Married women may go out 
with other men if they choose, and are often excessively independent of the 
husband. In cases where the wife is untrue, it depends on circumstances 
and the character of the husband, whether he make a fuss or not. If not 
chaste in his own habits, he generally takes it easy." After giving some 
notable instances illustrating the truth of the last remark, which I omit on 
account of the names of the distinguished individuals being given, my cor- 
respondent continues: "The courts do not punish a man who shoots his 
wife's lover. But, if taken in the act, both man and woman may be pun- 
ished ; but this latter case occurs almost never. 

"Divorce, previous to the passage of the Naquet bill in 1883, was 
almost an impossibility, but judicial separations were granted at the 
rate of about 5,000 per year. It was said that there were enough judi- 
cially separated men and women in France to people a large city. It 
was believed that this condition of things did not conduce to the 
morality or happiness of the people. It was even urged that in many 
instances wife murder could not be punished as a capital offense, be- 
cause it was difficult in such cases to obtain a jury that would convict. 
Since the passage of the Naquet bill it is estimated that there have 
been annually about 13, 000 cases of divorce ! Many of them are among 
those who have been for several years judiciously separated. Out of 
regard for the large Catholic element the party bringing action is free 
to sue for either separation or absolute divorce." 

" I think old maids are about as free and enjoy the same social privileges 
as married women ; and if they happen to possess wealth, are very much 
respected. On the floor below our apartments lives a count, who is an old 

bachelor, with Mademoiselle , who is an old maid; both are old, 

rich, respectable, etc. The expenses of servants, carriage, garden, etc., are 
shared equally between them. They have lived thus for many years, and 
no one seems to think or speak evil of them. I do not think a respectable 
old maid would thus dare to brave American public opinion. 

" As for the unfortunate girls of Paris (les fiUes de joie), with which the 
streets swarm, they die mostly in misery, of ill-health and poverty ; some- 
times in the hospital; sometimes — nobody knows where. There is, near 
the Seine, a bureau of examination, irom which the sick girls are sent to 
a hospital until cured, or else they are forbidden to exercise their profes- 
sion The principal causes of prostitution are the difficulty of obtaining 
Work ; the actual expenses of the simplest living ; sometimes simply a lax 
morality ; but oftenest a passionate love of luxury, which seems to per- 
vade the whole city. Of single girls who become mothers, there seems to 



CARRIAGE IN THE OLD WORLD. 707 

be a general disposition to help them up. They are not regarded as unpar- 
donable sinners ; and the illegitimate children are no t excluded from soci- 
ety. There is an institution in Paris, ' Des Enfants Trouves? designed for 
the reception and support of illegitimate children. To this place come 
poor women unable to support their offspring, or rich women too proud to 
own their fault. Into a little box or car, running on a little railroad, is 
deposited the infant, which enters the institution without the slightest 
clew to the person who placed it there. In many cases where the mother 
intends to reclaim her child, she attaches a name, necklace, or some mark, 
which is preserved by the institution. I think a good motto to put over 
the gates of this house would be — The rich and the poor 4 meet together, 
for the devil is the maker of them all. 

11 1 have not been able to find out any thing of the marriage customs of 
the provinces of France. Of course the peasants do not have any dot 
(dower). The women work as hard as men, and quite as much in the 
fields. These women are short, stunted, bony, strong, with large hands 
and feet, voices like men, and are very ignorant and very Catholic. 

"The dot, or dower, is an institution in Paris. It is made necessary by the 
extreme difficulty of a young man to earn more than his support. Daugh- 
ters often are a drug in the market. Marriages from love are common ; but I 
believe these things usually go by the wishes of the parents. I am acquainted 
with a young gentleman here twenty-six yeara old ; his mother wishes him 
to marry ; he has no faith in woman ; prefers his gay bachelor life ; adores 
his mother. She wrote to him that she had selected a wife for him ; a 
young girl of forty thousand francs dot He did not answer the letter for 
six weeks, when there arrived an angry letter from his mother ; he became 
contrite, and wrote back his acceptance of the young girl, who, meanwhile, 
had been trotted by her parents to his father's house. The latter did not 
consider the young lady good enough for his son, and negotiations were 
broken off without either of the young people having seen each other. 
Another anecdote, which is also true, is of a young gentleman who visited 
a family for the purpose of marrying one of the daughters. After a time, 
the parents demanded which daughter was his choice ? The reply was — 
1 Either, if they both have the same doV ' This interesting letter is con- 
cluded with a little qualification for the fair correspondent's freedom in pre- 
senting the subjects upon which she had written. She says: "I have done 
the best I could, from my limited opportunities for observation, to let you 
know of Paris. I've laid aside my demoisellish scruples, put on common 
sense, and spoken on forbidden topics with the utmost frankness," etc. 

Marriages of convenience have always a decided tendency to make hus- 
band and wife discontented, and these being in the majority in the higher 
circles of France, it is not singular that many liberties are taken and 



708 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

tolerated by both husband and wife. " In France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, 
and much the largest part of the continent of Europe," says Nichols, 
" marriages are arranged by the parents of at least one of the parties. A 
girl, educated in seclusion, sees her intended but twice before he leads her 
to the hymeneal altar, once to be formerly introduced, and once to sign the 
marriage contract. If he has suitable position, it is enough ; he may be 
old, ugly, repulsive; he has been chosen as her husband by those who 
ought to know what is best for her, and she accepts him with disgust 
because she must, or with indifference because she knows no better." 

In Portugal the marriage customs do not differ much from those of 
Spain, except that ladies when married retain their maiden names. Fe- 
males are more secluded than in Spain, but are quite as much given to 
intrigue and matrimonial infidelity. 

The Swiss, who are noted for their free political institutions, while sur- 
rounded with despotism, cannot marry without the consent of the magis- 
trates, whose permission or refusal is governed by the fitness of parties pre- 
senting themselves for marriage. It is required that there shall be adapta- 
tion between the parties, and this peculiar system of legalizing marriage 
results in happy families and hardy children. "At Geneva," says Good- 
rich, "the mode of life is extremely social. The soirees are constant from 
November to spring. These meetings resemble family assemblages, in 
their freedom from the constraints imposed by etiquette. A stranger is 
struck with the affectionate manner by which the women of all ages address 
each other. This comes from the influence of certain 'Sunday Societies,' 
in which children meet at their parents' house, where they are left to them- 
selves and have a light supper of fruit, pastry, etc. The friendships thus 
formed endure through life, and the youthful expressions of fondness arc 
never dropped." Divorces are very uncommon. The front door of mar- 
riage is guarded more than the back, and those who enter are generally too 
well satisfied to wish to get out. 

In Italy, it has been remarked " that marriage is not a bond, but the 
reverse." Before marriage a lady is the prisoner of a convent, or the 
parental mansion, and is not allowed the society of gentlemen; but after 
she has become the wife, she may also become the lover of from one to 
three more besides her husband. 

Byron, in one of his letters from Venice, said : " The general state of the 
morals here is much the same as in the Doges' time. A woman is virtu- 
ous, according to the code, who limits herself to her husband and one lover ; 
those who have two, three, or more, are a little wild; but it is only those 
who are indiscriminately diffuse, or form a low connection, who are consid- 
ered as overstepping the modesty of marriage. There is no convincing a 



MARRIAGE IX THE OLD WORLD. 709 

woman here that she is in the smallest degree deviating from the rule of 
right, or the fitness of things, in having a lover. The great sin seems to 
lie in concealing it, or in having more than one — that is, unless such 
extension of the prerogative is understood and approved of "fey the prior 
claimant." The same author further says, " They marry for their 
parents and love for themselves," and that a "person's character is 
£anvassed, not as depending on their conduct to their husbands and 
^vives, but to their mistress and lover." Still, remarks a noted historian, 
M a person may pass through Italy, or live there for years, and not once be 
shocked with such undisguised vice, as in one night will intrude upon him 
in an English city." Prostitution, as a trade, cannot flourish in such 
society. It is, of course, uncalled for, where infidelity among married 
ladies is so fashionably allowed, or where polygamy is legally tolerated. 

In Greece, girls are kept in separate parts of the houses, in a state of 
seclusion, much the same as in Turkey. They are not permitted to enter 
society till after marriage, when the restriction is removed. Weddings 
there are celebrated with great eclat. A procession attends the bride to 
her future home, preceded by music and young girls dressed in white, who 
strew the path with flowers. 

In Prussia, parties contemplating marriage are required to announce the 
fact in the newspapers. Matrimony among the higher classes is contracted 
on the title and '"specie basis," as in most European countries. Infi- 
delities, if discovered, are not overlooked, and divorces are of frequent 
occurrence — to the number of two or three thousand a year. 

The Russian nobility conduct their marriages much the same as other 
Europeans. The peasantry, however, according to popular authority, have 
peculiar customs. The suitor applies to the mother, saying, " Produce your 
merchandise, \vc have money for it." "When the bargain is concluded, the 
bride, at the wedding, is crowned with a chaplet of wormwood. " Hops are 
thrown over her head, with the wish that she may prove as fruitful as tho 
plant. Second marriages are tolerated, the third are considered scandalous, 
and the fourth absolutely unlawful." The wives of the lower classes of 
Russians are treated in a shameful manner and their position is only one 
remove from that of a slave. 

In Austria, where the monogamic system is the law, one might almost sup- 
pose that free love is the practice, if allowed to judge of tho country at large 
by the official tables of the illegitimate children born annually in Vienna ; these 
comprise nearly one-half the total births in that city. In 1853 there were about 
ten thousand legitimate and ten thousand illegitimate births. In 1854 there 
was a fraction over eleven thousand legitimate births, and nearly eleven thou- 
sand of those which were illegitimate j in 1855 there were about ten and one- 



710 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

half thousand legitimate, against nine and one-half thousand illegitimate. 
In 1856 there were only about five hundred more legitimate than illegiti- 
mate offspring born in that city. If, as is claimed by many, illegitimate 
children are smarter, the Viennese ought to be a remarkable people! 

In Wallachia, one of the Danubian principalities, " the bride wears a 
veil the day before, and on that of her marriage. Whoever unveils her,'* 
says a writer, "is entitled to a kiss; but to prevent too much impertinence, 
the bride may in return demand a present, and the request must be com- 
plied with." Unless kisses are decidedly scarce, and an object of considera- 
tion with the ladies of Wallachia, it would seem like an act of prudence to 
keep the lips and purse-strings closed. 

In Sweden and Norway, the monogamic system is the law, and practical 
polygamy the violation ; in the country first named, a species of practical 
omnigamy, or free love, prevails to a remarkable extent, though not under 
the sanction of law. Bayard Taylor, in a letter from Stockholm, remarked 
as follows: — 

"After speaking of the manners of Stockholm, I must not close this letter 
without saying a few words about its morals. It has been called the most 
licentious city in Europe, and I have no doubt with the most perfect justice. 
Vienna may surpass it in the amount of conjugal infidelity, but certainly not 
in general incontinence . Very nearly half the registered births are illegiti- 
mate, to say nothing of illegitimate children born in wedlock. Of the ser- 
vant-girls, shop-girls, and seamstresses in the city, it is very safe to say that 
scarcely one out of a hundred is chaste, while, as rakish young Swedes have 
coolly informed me, a large proportion of girls of respectable parentage, 
belonging to the middle class, are not much better. The men, of course, are 
much worse than the women ; even in Paris one sees fewer physical signs 
of excessive debauchery. Here the number of broken-down young men, and 
blear-eyed, hoary sinners, is astonishing. I have never been in any place 
where licentiousness was so open and avowed — and yet where the slang of 
a sham morality was so prevalent. There are no houses of prostitution in 
Stockholm, and the city would be scandalized at the idea of allowing such a 
thing. A few years ago two were established, and the fact was no sooner 
known than a virtuous mob arose and violently pulled them down. At the 
restaurants, young blades order their dinners of the female waiters with 
arms around their waists, while the old men pl^ce their hands unblushingly 
upon their bosoms. All the baths in Stockholm are attended by women 
(generally middle-aged and hideous, I must confess), who perform the usual 
scrubbing and shampooing with great nonchalance. One does not wonder 
when he is told of young men who have passed safely through the ordeals 
pf Eerhn and Paris, and have gome at last to Stockholm to be. ruined." 



MARRIAGE HI THE NEW WORLD. 7H 

In Turkey the first marriage is contracted by the parents of children, 
who are sometimes betrothed at the age of two or three years. When they 
arrive at adult age, the bride is carried in a procession to the house of the 
husband. But polygamy is the law of the Ottoman empire, and the husband 
is allowed to purchase as many more wives as he chooses. They purchase 
many girls of the Circassians, for which they pay from twenty to thirty 
dollars apiece for handsome ones. Once they were considered cheap at five 
hundred dollars. The wives of a Turk are kept in what is termed a harem, 
a place gorgeously fitted up, and attended by eunuchs. 

Formerly, a Turkish lady never left the harem without concealing her face 
behind a great number of veils. The war between Turkey and Russia has 
effected considerable change in this custom, and now only one thin veil is 
used, through which the eyes of strangers look on beauties whilom concealed 
from the gaze of foreigners. The ladies of Turkey are said to enjoy nearly 
as much liberty as the females of Christian countries, where polygamy is 
not tolerated, and where ladies sell themselves to wealthy husbands. Turk- 
ish women bear more female than male children, a noticeable fact in all 
countries where the plurality system of marriage is maintained. A Turk 
can divorce a wife at pleasure, for if he have no real cause, he can make a 
false accusation, and sustain it by perjured witnesses, which can be obtained 
without difficulty ; but he is not permitted to take her back again for the 
fourth time, unless, during the interval of the separation, she has been the 
wife of another man. Notwithstanding the little regard manifested for the 
marriage contract, death is the penalty for adultery. 

With this cursory view of the matrimonial customs of the old world, we 
will now turn our eyes to our own continent, and see how we find 

Marriage in the New World. 

tv South America, the marriage institutions of the people compare at 
least favorably with those of the semi-barbarous portions of the old 
world. 

The Araucaxiaxs, in the southern part of Chili, with a population of 
four hundred thousand, believe that marriage is perpetual in this world and 
the world to come. Every man is allowed to have as many wives as his 
means will permit, the first being considered superior to the rest. The 
husband selects his partner for the night at the supper-tabie, by requesting 
her to prepare his bed. Buying and selling wives is practised to some 
degree. " Marriage is always celebrated with a show of violence, for even 
after consent is obtained, the bridegroom conceals himself on the road, 
seizes the bride, and carries her to his house." It is required that each 
wife shall present her husband with a fine cloak. 



712 



MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 



In Brazil, the civilized portion of its inhabitants maintain the moxiogamic 
system of marriage, and are said to be " exemplary in their domestic rela- 
tions." It is not uncommon, however, to see an old man united with a 
young girl in marriage. Disparity in ages is considered no obstacle to a 
happy union. Among the uncivilized natives, polygamy is upheld, and 
ornaments are more profusely bestowed on the person than clothing 
Fig. 166. by both sexes, and yet they 

have a fair reputation for chas- 
tity. Adultery is punishable with 
death. In the foundling hospi- 
tal at Rio de Janeiro, the girls at, 
a marriageable age may be select- 
ed at each anniversary for wives, 
if the applicants are approved by 
the managers of the institution. 

In Central America and 
Mexico, polygamy, monogamy, 
and omnigamy are practised, ac- 
cording to the respective condi- 
tions of their heterogeneous popu- 
lation. Only about one-fifth are 
white, and those are of Spanish 
origin, and imitate, in a measure, 
, the customs of their ancestors. 
^T £8! HHHifM \m ^§§§§^> The marriages among this class 

are generally celebrated with 
some pomp, " and the fee for the 
^S ^ priest, even from parties of the 
lowest rank," says Goodrich, " is 
not less than twenty-two dollars, 
and this in a country where the 
houses of the poor cost but four 
dollars, where the price of labor 
is half a dollar a day, and where 
the church observances leave but 
one hundred and seventy-five 
working days in each year!" The remaining population is divided be- 
tween Mestizos, Mulattoes, and Zamboes, many of whom are but little 
above the savage, go naked, and have no established forms of marriage. 
The Mestizos are the offspring of whites and Indians, and many of the females 
are said to be very beautiful. Those who do not associate with and imitate 
the customs of the whites, are omnigamic, and governed by their impulses. 




A MESTIZO GIRL. 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 713 

In North America, the customs of the aborigines are interestingly 
daguerreotyped in a quotation from Mcintosh's " Book of Indians," which I 
find in " Marriage, its History and Philosophy," by L. N. Fowler. "They 
are." lie says, "generally contented with one wife; but they sometimes 
lake two, and seldom more than three. The women are under the direction 
of their fathers in the choice of a husband, and very seldom express a pre- 
dilection for any particular person. Their courtship is short and simple. 
The lover makes a present, generally of game, to the head of the family to 
which belongs the woman he fancies. Her guardian's approbation being 
obtained, an approbation which, if the suitor is an expert hunter, is seldom 
refused, he next makes a present to the woman, and her acceptance cf this 
signifies her consent. The contract is immediately made and the match con- 
cluded. As soon as he chooses he is admitted to cohabitation ; but the time 
of the consummation is always a secret to every one but themselves. All this 
is transacted without ceremony, without even a feast. The husband gener- 
ally carries his wife among his own relations, when he either returns to 
the tent which he formerly inhabited, or constructs a new one for their 
own use. They sometimes, but seldom, remain with the wife's relations. 
When the wife is removed, if game be plentiful, he gives an entertainment 
to her relations. These contracts are binding no longer than both parties are 
willing. If they do not agree, they separate — the woman returns to her 
relations, and if they have any children she takes them along with her; 
but after they have children a separation very seldom takes place. If a 
woman be guilty of adultery, and her husband be unwilling to divorce her, 
he cuts her hair, which is the highest female disgrace. On the woman is 
devolved every domestic charge. She erects the tent, procures wood for 
the fire, manages the agricultural affairs, dresses the provisions, catches fish, 
and makes traps for small animals. The husband only employs himself in 
the chase. 

' ; When a woman is with child, she works at her ordinary occupatfbns, 
convinced that work is advantageous, both for herself and child ; her labor 
is easy, and she may be seen on the day after her delivery, with her child 
at her back, avoiding none of her former employments. They suckle their 
children till they are at least two years of age. Their cradle was anciently 
a board, to which they laced their children, after having wrapped them in 
furs to preserve them in heat. This is set down in a corner, or hung up in 
a tent, and without loosening it from its cradle, the mother often takes it on 
her back and in that manner carries it about. 

"Among the Indians, women cannot contract a second marriage with- 
out the consent of those on whom they depend, in virtue of the laws of 
widowhood. If they can find no husband for the widow she finds herself 
under no difficulties j if she has any sons to support her she may continue 



^14 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

in a state of widowhood, without danger of ever wanting any thing. If sho 
is willing to marry again she may, and the man she marries becomes the 
father of her children ; he enters into all the rights and obligations of the 
first husband. 

"The husband does not weep for his wife, because, according to the 
savages, tears do not become men; but this is not general among all 
nations. The women weep for their husbands a year ; they call him with 
out ceasing, and fill their village with cries and lamentations, especially at 
the rising and setting of the sun ; at noon in some places; when they go 
out to work and when they return. Mothers do much the same for their 
children. The chiefs mourn only six months, and may afterward marry 
again. 

" It appears that the Indians have their merriments on the marriage 
occasions, although their celebrations go off commonly without much cere- 
mony. There are in all nations some considerable families, which cannot 
marry but among themselves, especially among the Algonquins. In gen- 
eral the stability of marriage is sacred in this country, and for the most part 
they consider as a great disorder those agreements which some persona 
make to live together as long as they like, and to separate when they are 
tired of each other. A husband who should forsake his wife without any 
lawful cause must expect many insults from her relations, and a woman 
who should leave her husband without being forced to it by his ill-conduct 
frould pass her time still worse. 

" Among the Miamis, the husband has a right to cut off his wife's nose if 
she runs away from him ; but among the Iroquois and Hurons they may part 
by consent. This is done without noise, and the parties thus separated may 
marry again. They cannot even conceive that there can be any crime in 
this. ' My wife and I cannot agree together,' said one of them to a mission- 
ary, who endeavored to make him comprehend the indecency of such a 
separation ; ' my neighbor's case was the same, we changed wives and we 
were all happy ; for nothing is more reasonable than to make each other 
happy, when it is so cheaply done without wronging anybody.' Neverthe- 
less, this custom, as we have already observed, is looked upon as an abuse, 
and is not ancient, at least among the Indians." 

"The Greenl anders," Fowler remarks, u pay some little regard to the 
affections in their matrimonial alliances. In the negotiations, the parents 
never, or rarely, interfere ; the lover thinks but little of a dowry with his 
wife. If she will make a good, kind, affectionate, and obedient wife, his 
highest anticipations are fully realized, and he has all he desires. About 
the time of the celebration of the nuptials, the bride pretends to be opposed 
to the marriage, runs away, screams, and is finally taken home by force by 
the bridegroom, which constitutes the sum total of the marriage ceremony. 



MARRIAGE I2T THE XETT WORLD. 



715 



Polygamy is occasionally practised, and divorce is said to be exceedingly 

common." 

Is the United States and Territories, which enjoy the most exalted posi- 
tion among the nations of the new world, all existing systems of marriage 
are more or less represented. In the States, the monogamic system only is 
recognized by law ; pretty generally observed by wives, professedly so by 
nearly all hnsbands, and strictly so by many. In no country in the world 
r.re greater immunities enjoyed by the people in the selection of conjugal 
companions than in our own, % and still wealth, distinction, and parental 

Fig. 167. 




dictation exert a mighty influence in match-making. Did the thought ever 
occur to the reader that daughters here are oftentimes sold in marriage by 
their parents or themselves, just as truly as they are in many heathenish 
countries ? Such is a lamentable fact, and one which has not failed to make 
an impression on the minds of many observers. 

"The accursed term, 'marriage of convenience,' fit only to be found in 
the mouths of an unfortunate or a libertine," says Dixon, "is now by no 
means too shocking to escapo the lips of a fashionable mother, alarmed at 



716 MARRIAGE AS IT IS. 

ber husband's prospective failure, and the consequent loss of her box at the 
opera. She must make profitable sale of her daughters, because she cannot 
influence her sons, or their wives when they get them. Whether the article 
be merchantable or not, a sale must bo effected. The father is too often so 
immersed in business, that he is scarcely consulted ; the family physician 
never; or if he be, he is perhaps a time-server, and looks forward to a 
profitable return for withholding the truth." 

Continues the same writer : " Riches, when combined with a tolerably 
decent family genealogy, are an object of boundless ambition, and in New 
York take precedence of all other recommendations. From the clergyman 
to the market-woman, all are equally blinded by it; neither dissipation nor 
an empty head are often drawbacks, whether in man or woman ; and alli- 
ances are every day contracted where nothing but disgrace and mortification 
can reasonably be anticipated." 

The almost invariable inquiry among friends, when a marriage takes place, 
is, "Has she done well?" which generally signifies, has she married a 
house and lot, a good supply of pretty furniture, or a large amount in bank 
and railroad stock, and a comfortable pile of money. This question is almost 
universally so regarded, so much so that the respondent, in reply, at once 
begins to tell either how rich or poor the husband is. If a wealthy position 
has been attained by the bride, parents and friends congratulate themselves 
on the success of the daughter, and the unanimous exclamation is, " She 
has done well," Young women in the highest circles often sell themselves 
to old men double or triple their age, or are so sold by parents, and do not 
seem to dream that they are bartering away their virginity and womanly 
charms for gold, the same, virtually, as the abandoned woman who walks the 
pavement in New York. True, there may be cases where mutual love 
exists in such unequal copartnerships, but these are manifestly rare excep- 
tions. 

On the other hand, a woman possessing wealth, though ugly in person or 
disposition, can always obtain a husband. Many young men at the outset 
stifle all love for girls in humble life, however amiable in disposition and 
prepossessing in appearance they may be, with the avowed object of marry- 
ing a fortune. 

"When considerations of wealth have little or no influence, parents often 
interfere to an unwarranted extent in the marriage of their sons and daugh- 
ters. My eye has this day fallen upon two instances illustrative of this 
remark. A Chicago paper says : " The village of Colchester, on the Chicago, 
Quincy, and Burlington road, was the scene of a sad affair one day last 
week. A young lady of that place, the daughter of an estimable citizen, 
had for some time past received the addresses of a young man in opposition 
to the wishes of her parents. They remonstrated with her again and again. 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 717 

but to no purpose. Finally, her father told her he would rather follow her 
to the grave than see her the wife of a man whom he regarded as unworthy 
of her. Shortly afterward the young lady was seized with an alarming ill- 
ness, and in three hours more was a corpse. Just before dying, and when she 
knew she was beyond the reach of remedy, she confessed to having prcn 
cured and taken a large portion of arsenic. The unhappy father's alterna- 
tive was presented to him sooner than he could have believed it possible." 

A Cincinnati paper records the following : " A beautiful G-erman girl was 
taken to the Commercial Hospital yesterday, a raving maniac; her reason 
completely overthrown by disappointment in love. It seems that she had 
been engaged to one of her countrymen for some months, and had fully ex- 
pected to become his wife, when her father informed her last Saturday that 
she should not marry. 

" Upon the announcement she fell, as if struck by lightning, to the floor, 
and it was with much difficulty she was restored to consciousness. She 
then began raving frightfully, and with cries and screams and groans and 
tears and lamentations, startled the whole neighborhood of Bremen Street, 
where she resided. Nothing could be done to calm or appease her ; she 
grew worse and worse, until it was determined to remove her to the hos- 
pital. 

u "VThen there she continued to rave, and would have died from exhaustion 
very soon, had not chloroform been administered to keep her quiet. It was 
found necessary, too, to bind her to the floor, else she would have taken her 
life, leaped out of the window, or done any thing desperate. The physicians 
who saw her say they never beheld so violent a maniac. 

" It is pitiable to observe this young and beautiful woman, just in the 
spring of life, suffering — and how intensely she must suffer — all the horrors 
of madness, because of a generous and absorbing passion, which might and 
should have been made her happiness on earth." 

These are by no means isolated cases ; the press teems with such sad 
recitals. Let me not be understood as disparaging parental counsel — only 
parental tyranny. Parents should always give advice to children in matters 
pertaining to the selection of a conjugal companion, and at this point all 
interference or dictation on their part should stop. If the laws of physical 
and mental adaptation were more generally understood by them, and their 
positive interference in the selections of their sons and daughters based 
unselfishly on these rules, then might their prohibitions in all cases be 
regarded as best for the interests of their children. But seldom are parents 
qualified to decide in this matter, all dictation on their part arising from 
their own likes or dislikes, as if their children were bound to love every- 
body whom they love, and dislike all who are not prepossessing to them. 
This kind of interference oftener thwarts physical and mental adaptation 



718 MAR&IAG3 AS IT IS.) 

than fayors it, because love seldom springs up spontaneously between a 
youth and maiden, when there is mental and physical uncongeniality. For 
this reason parental interference, ungoverned by phrenological and physio- 
logical knowledge, oftener prevents than effects the right kind of marriages. 

American wives, with occasional exceptions, are faithful to their husbands, 
and many husbands, particularly in the rural districts, are faithful in return. 
But the fact that over one hundred thousand public prostitutes, and at least 
an equal number of private mistresses, are supported in the United States, 
and many of them in extravagance and splendor, leads us to the irresistible 
conclusion that, while monogamy is the law in state and society, polygamy 
is the custom of not a small proportion of the male population. It is a 
proverbial remark in New York, that the abandoned females of this city are 
maintained chiefly by the patronage of married men visiting the metropolis. 
Singular disclosures in fashionable life, growing out of a recent notorious 
affair, go to show that it is not impossible for wives to imitate their hus- 
band's vices. 

Occasionally cases occur of mutual exchanges, transient or permanent. 
There once lived in a New England city, a couple of husbands, in respect- 
able position, who traded wives by consent of all parties concerned, several 
years ago. The gentlemen were copartners • in business at the time of the 
exchange, and the two families afterwards lived on friendly terms with 
no desire to trade back ! Although this may sound like a strange story, it 
is a veritable fact ; and indeed not so strange as an account I recently read of 
a couple of husbands in Illinois who traded wives, one of them receiving 
" boot." The one who was so ungallant as to receive the premium on the 
exchange, however, was driven from the village by some of the indignant 
villagers, while the other was allowed to remain unmolested in the posses- 
sion of his newly-acquired spouse. From the fact that names and location 
were all definitely given, I presume this story is true. 

Transient exchanges are not uncommon among some of the married people 
of large cities ; but permanent ones, unless effected by elopement, when the 
bargain is all on one side are certainly rare occurrences. " Lycurgus, the great 
legislator of the Lacedaemonians, " it is said by an historian, "thought that 
freely imparting wives to each other was the best way of preventing jealousy, 
ridiculing those who thought the violation of their bed an insupportable 
injury." Those who exchange are probably disciples of his theory. 

The condition of American wives is various. Some are dolls — some 
companions — many drudges. Happy marriages are common — unhappy 
ones more common — tolerably happy ones most common. 

Divorce laws differ in the various States, although in all, I believe, the 
wife is guaranteed the same legal relief as the husband. Several States 
grant divorces on the ground of cruelty, intemperance, willful absence^ 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 719 

fraudulent contract, as well ag adultery. A few limit the cause to the latter, 
and the erring party is debarred the privilege of marrying again — a provi- 
cion which cuts off all probability and encouragement of a reformation on the 
part of the offending one. The result of such one-sided divorces is, that the 
man or woman against whom the decree has been rendered is almost daily 
tempted to an infraction of law, or indulgence in illicit amours, and this 
temptation is too strong for a great many to resist. Again, it is the law in 
moat States, where divorce is granted and alimony is given the wife, that 
the alimony shall terminate if the divorced woman remarries. This, too, is 
not only offering a premium to unlawful intercourse, but it is unjust to the 
woman, especially in cases where she has been for many years the wife of 
the husband from whom she is separated. If he remarries, he brings to his 
new wife the accumulations of his former marriage, and there is no good 
reason why, if the wife remarries, she may not carry to her new husband 
that portion to which she was equitably entitled, when her former matri- 
monial connection was dissolved. 

Some States punish adultery with imprisonment — others with fines — 
others not at all — and in every State a husband is leniently dealt with 
who takes the life of the violator of his marriage bed. Although public 
opinion zealously upholds the monogamic system, we had, until a com- 
paratively recent date, two marked departures from monogamy, and 
this essay would be incomplete without some description of them. The 
following accounts were given at the time the book was first written, 
when the institutions were properly described in the present tense : 

The Oneida Community, to quote its own description of itself, "is an 
association living in Lenox, Madison County, N. Y., four miles from Oneida 
depot. Number of members, two hundred and two ; land, six hundred and 
sixty-four acres ; business — horticulture, manufacturing, and the printing of 
a newspaper called the Circular; theology — perfectionism; sociology — 
Bible communism. There are two branches of this community : one called the 
Willow Place Community, which is located on a detached portion of the domain, 
about one and a quarter miles from the Oneida Society. Number of members, 
thirty-five ; business manufacturing. The other branch is the TVallingford 
Community, situated in a village by that name in Connecticut, and one mile 
west of the village depot. Members, forty ; land, two hundred and twenty- 
three acres ; business, horticulture, publishing, and job printing. The Oneida 
Community and branches are not Free Lovers in the popular sense of the term. 
They call their social system Complex Marriage, and hold to freedom of love 
only within their own families, subject to free criticism and the rule of 
male continence." 

The foregoing i3 substantially their card, as presented in their weekly 
paper called the Circular, a publication which is interesting even to those 



720 



COMPLEX MARRIAGE. 



who entirely disagree with them in their social, and religious theories. 
Their history is presented by themselves in the following language : " As 
the pilgrim fathers fled from old England to New England, so, in 1848, the 
leaders of the Oneida Community fled from New England, to New York, and 
settled in Lenox, Madison County, on the banks of the Oneida Creek. There 
they were joined by other families and members from New York, New 
Jersey, Yermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, till their numbers amount- 

Fta.lGS. 







A GROUP OF THE ONEIDA COMMUNISTS. 

ed to about two hundred and fifty. They were much despised in the first 
years of their settlement, but God prospered them, and they went steadily 
forward, buying land, building houses, and establishing manufactures, till 
they are now, after twenty years, in a fair way to be as respectable as their 
Puritan forefathers. 

" The main religious features of the Community consist in an inexpungable 
notion that Christianity means the abolition of selfishness j that Jesua 






MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 7£1 

Christ came into the world aa an emancipator from that kind of slavery ; that 
whoever soundly believes and confesses him, is thereby freed; that his 
kingdom was founded and his second coming took place eighteen hundred 
years ago ; and that all progress, civilization, and reform since, have been 
the fruit of the heavenly organization of which he is the centre. 

" The Community believes with Christ, that marriage ownership is to bo 
abolished when the will of God is done on earth as it is in heaven ( Matt. xxii. 
30) ; with Paul, that the marriage spirit is the greatest of all distractions and 
diversions from Christ (1 Cor. vii.); with Socrates, that the improvement of 
the human race requires scientific attention to breeding, the same as in the 
case of other animals (Plato's Republic, b. v., chap. 8); and they claim to 
have discovered a new physiologico-moral principle, which they call male 
continence, by means of which the new state of society demanded by Christ, 
Paul, and Socrates, becomes practicable." What they mean by "male conti- 
nence M may be learned by turning to page 876. 

The women of the Community, as will be seen in the engraving presented 
of the Oneida Communists, are all attired in short dresses, a costume which 
enables them to mingle with and aid the men in all their horticultural and 
manufacturing pursuits. The men assist the women in all domestic work, 
doing those portions of household labor which require muscular strength 
In the seasons of harvesting and gathering fruit, the work is done by "bees," 
composed of people of both sexes ; under the gayety of which the work is 
dispatched with pleasure and alacrity. As some of my metropolitan readers 
may not know what a " bee" is, I will tell them. In farming districts, it 
used to (and may now) be the practice, when a large field of corn was to be 
gathered, to invite all the neighbors, male and female, on a beautiful moon- 
light night, to what they called a "husking bee." In this way a task other- 
wise consuming many days of the farmer's time, would be speedily dispatched 
with crispy jokes, town gossip, and the merry laughs of the boys and giris, 
frolicking about among the corn shocks. The " bees" of the Community 
differ from the old-fashioned kind, I suppose, in their being applied to nearly 
all descriptions of labor, and worked by sunlight as well as by moonlight. 

As all the members, male as well as female, are workers, and ali neces- 
saries not produced by themselves purchased in wholesale quantities ana" at 
reducod prices; and, further, as there is no competition between them as to 
who shall wear the finest apparel, and furnish a house the most luxuriously, 
it does not require eight or ten hours' labor on the part of any individual 
member to sustain the finances of the Community. They have been steadily 
growing in moral and material strength until they have earned the respect 
of their surrounding neighbors, and attained, in a pecuniary point of view. 
competence, if not independence. Meanwhile they devote many hours each 
day to moral intellectual, and artistic culture. The age of manhood and 
31 



722 COMPLEX MARRIAGE. 

womanhcod is not considered a stopping-place in an educational point of 
view, but the old people are practically still attending school. A visitor 
will find among these peculiar people members of aM ages pursuing a variety 
of studies, including music y languages, etc. They have a library, large 
reading-room, and a hall for lectures and entertainments, They also have, 
without calling on the outside world, an orchestra composed of competent 
performers on brass and other instruments. Concerts are often given by 
these musicians, and are extensively attended by the people from the sur- 
rounding country. Their women are modest, intelligent, and many of them 
personally attractive, and all of them apparently happy. 

The question will very naturally arise in the minds of inquiring readers, 
" What of their children? " My personal knowledge of them is too limited 
to enable me to reply, as I have visited but once the Wallingford branch. 
I will present, however, at some length, their own testimony, as published 
in their paper, 

"The critics of Communism/' they say, "have to admit that in money 
matters and material surroundings, either the blessing of God is upon us, or 
we are obeying some great law of nature that brings prosperity ; but they 
say or insinuate that in the deeper and more important natters of propaga- 
tion and training of children, Communism shows signs of failure. We take 
issue with them on this point After mature investigation and reflection, 
our belief and affirmation is, that the same blessing of God and prosperous 
obedience that is at work in our material enterprises is manifest in the life 
and growth of our children. 

"In our last number we stated some facts in relation to the results of the 
entire administration of our children's house for twenty years — that there 
have been but two deaths there in all that time, and that the graduates of 
that department are now strong men and women, acquitting themselves well 
in the business of the Community and in institutions of learning abroad. 
We have much more to say, and some good stories to tell, about the general 
career of the children's house and its graduates; but for the present number 
we will confine ourselves to a survey of that department as it now stands — 
a look at the present generation of Community children, 

" As the main dispute between us and the critics is about the vital and 
intellectual condition of our children, we have thought it best to take an in- 
ventory of the health and brains of those now at the children's house. The 
following are the results of careful inquiries and measurements by T. R. 
Noyes, M. D. :— 

" c The children's house takes children at about the age of sixteen months, 
and keeps them to the age of eleven or twelve years. Nursing infants are 
otherwise provided for. The present number of inmates is twenty-five, of 
whom ten are boys and fifteen are girls. The following tables give the age, 



MARRIAGE Itt THE NEW WORLD. 



723 



height, weight, size of head, and size of chest of each boy and girl, by which 
physiologists, and others who choose to compare these statistics with average 
measurements, may form some judgment of the physical condition of these 
children: — 



Boys. Age. 

Clarence 12 years. 

Harley 7 

Wilfred 7 

George 6 

Harold 6 

Temple 5 

Ormond 4 

Ransom 3 

Horace 2 

Eugene 2 



Girls. Age. 

Lily 11 years. 

Rose 11 

Edith 10 

Leonora 9 

Marion 9 

Mabel 9 

Emily 7 

Theodora 7 

Anna 6 

Fanny 5 

Cosette 5 

Lucy 5 

May 4 

Virginia 4 

Maud 3 



Weight. 
76i lbs. 
47$ " 
46£ " 
43^ " 
36$ " 
36£ " 
42i " 
35$ " 
29i " 
28i " 



Height. 
4 ft. 10 in. 



11 
10 

u 

5* 

6 

H 
9 



Weight. 
71 lbs. 
39i 



Height. 



4 ft. 
3 



65i " 


4. " 6i 


55 " 


4 » 2^ 


55$ " 


3 " Ilf 

4 " 2| 


64i " 


42 " 


3 " 7$ 


45 " 


3 ' : 9^ 


43i " 


3 »« 7| 


39$ " 


3 « 7 


34^ M 


3 " 6i 


37^ " 


3 " 4$ 


31i " 


3 " 1 


31i " 


3 u 2{ 


31^ " 


2 " Hi 



Size of 
head. 
21 in. 

21 " 

22 " 
21 " 
19^ " 
20$ " 
21 " 
20f " 
19f " 
20 " 

Size of 
head. 
20J in. 
20^ " 
21i " 
19$ " 

2H " 
21$ " 

19 " 
20$ " 
19$ " 
19J " 
19| " 
20^ " 
19J " 

20 " 
19* " 



Size of 
chest. 
29^ in 
24| " 
23^ " 
23^ " 
21i " 
21± " 
22$ u 
22$ " 
21| " 
21$ " 

Size of 
chest. 
26i in. 
21$ " 
26 " 

24 " 

25 " 
26^ " 
23^ " 
22 " 
22 " 
22i " 
22$ " 
22i " 

21 " 
21i " 

22 u 



11 ' Seventeen of these children have been always healthy, or only subject 
to the ordinary slight illnesses of young persons. Several had the scarlet 
fever when it was prevalent in the neighborhood ; but the sequelce have been 
slight. 

" ' Five were quite delicate in infancy, but have steadily improved under 
the care of the department, and are now, in the ordinary sense of the term, 
healthy children. One of them has a habit of constipation, brought on by 
bad management soon after birth, but is likely to outgrow it. 

u 'Two that are sisters inherit diseased tendencies, their mother's family 
having been very scrofulous. The elder (Rose in the table) was deformed 
by rachitis (rickets) at five years of age, but is now otherwise in good health. 
The younger has exhibited a tendency to the same disease, but appears to 
be safely passing the crisis of danger. 



724 COMPLEX MARRIAGE. 

" ' One boy (Wilfred in the table) was the offspring of parents who were 
both deficient in physical stamina, but bright intellectually. He has shown 
some tendency to hydrocephalus, but is outgrowing it. He is very ingenious, 
and bids fair to be a strong, healthy man. None of these children show 
any signs of imbecility. The only abnormal brain is that of "Wilfred, which 
is a little too large. The only deformity is that of Rose. There are no 
"sore eyes" among them, or other chronic local diseases.' 

" It would be easy here to go into discriminations that would prove that 
what little there is in the above showing that is unfavorable, is not charge- 
able to Communism. But we ask no favors. Let the critics make the most 
of the weaknesses reported. There is nothing at aH resembling the degen- 
eracy which they wish to make out. It is a cleaner bill of health and brains 
ihan they can find in any common neighborhood." 

Following the above, are the testimonies of a schoolmaster and school- 
mistress, who had had previous experience in teaching the world's children. 
They claim that the Community children are brighter, more studious, and 
better behaved than those in ordinary communities. " For mental ability," 
remarks the schoolmistress, "I have found them to be rather above tne 
average, particularly those born in the Community. Many of them possess 
a knowledge of geography that older persons might envy. The location of 
places ; the points of interest about Nineveh, Babylon, Rome, and other 
places ; the noted mountains and rivers ; and the ocean, with its capes and 
islands, are known to the Community children not in a dry mechanical way, 
but as exciting realities. They will tell you about them, with a brightness 
of expression and earnestness, that makes you almost feel they have been 
there themselves. Living together, they stimulate each other, and create 
an enthusiasm that makes them studious, and desirous of acquiring knowl- 
edge. This is caught by the little ones, who very early show a love for 
books. They learn their letters among themselves, and on coming to school, 
need restraining rather than urging. The wide range of thought in the 
Community, is felt by the children. In general knowledge they are superior 
to those in the world. Their memories are excellent ; a little girl of ten 
recited a long chapter of * Hiawatha' without being prompted a word. 
They frequently get up little entertainments of music, tableaux, and plays, 
that are original, and both amusing and edifying. Teaching here has 
improved me more than any previous experience." 

In a subsequent number of their Circular, they present the following 
facts and figures about the older children : " Some years ago," they remark, 
" when our principles were under a darker shadow of suspicion and fore- 
boding than they are at present, there crept among us ( whether from abroad 
or from inside whisperings we cannot say), an insinuation that our social 
life was * stunting 1 our young women. Two or three cases of small stature 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 



725 



among the girls gave a slight plausibility to the notion. Whereupon the 
matter was put on trial by systematic investigations and measurements; 
and it was ascertained that more than three-fourths of our young women 
were taller than their mothers ! And what is still more curious, since then 
another set of young women have come on the stage of womanhood, that are 
taller and larger than any that have gone before them, actually threatening 
to overtop the men, and fill the Community in a few generations with Ama- 
zons and giants ! It is now said that twenty-six of our young women are 
taller than their mothers ! 

" To show what sort of a young crop of both sexes we are raising, we give 
in the following tables the age, weight, and height of a dozen of our young 
men, and a dozen of our young women. Take notice that these are all 
graduates of our children's house. They were not all born in the Communitj-, 
but they were all trained here from childhood: — 

Young Men. Age. Weight 

F. Wayland Smith 27 years. 144 lbs. 

Alfred Hawley 21 " 155 " 

Milford Xewhouse 21 " 

Edward P. Inslee 23 " 



Height. 
6 ft. 



James Yaill 18 

Victor Hawley 25 

Charles A. Burt 23 

Charles L. Yan Yelzer 27 

Ernest W. Noyes 17 

George N. Miller 23 

Joseph J. Skinner 27 

Charles A. Cragin 27 



Young Women. Age. 

Alice M. Ackley 21 years. 

Susan Worden 24 " 

Florence Clarke 18 " 

Elizabeth Mallory 22 " 

Cornelia J. Worden 20 " 

Arabella Wool worth 18 "' 

Harriet N. Olds 19 " 

Eliza Burt 26 " 

Martha Hawley 17 " 

Yirtue Conant 16 " 

Consuelo B. Noyes 18 " 

Alice E. Nash 20 u 

RECAPITULATION. 

Average weight of males 

11 " l< females 

" " " males and females , 

Average height of males 

" m " females 

* 4 " M males and females 



149 ■■ 

166 " 

142 " 

133 " 

125 " 

166 " 

137 " 

136 " 

140 " 

132 " 

Weight. 

149 lbs. 

150 " 
121 '• 
129 " 
155 " 
144 " 
139 " 

123 " 
129 " 
142 " 
132 M 

124 M 



10^ in. 

10 k4 

10 " 

9| « 

9£ " 

9i - 

9 M 

9 " 

9 " 

8i- " 



Height. 
5 ft. 7J in. 
5 " 6 " 
5 



5 " 

5 " 

5 " 

5 " 

5 " 

5 " 

5 u 

5 " 

5 M 



6 " 
5| " 
5 " 
5 * 
5 •< 
4^ " 
3i - 
3 " 
3 " 
2i " 



143J lbs. 

136£ l 

139J - 

5 ft. 9J in. 

5 " 4i M 

5 " 7i « 



726 COMPLEX MARRIAGE. 

11 We have one girl, only fourteen years old, that might have gone into 
the above table with credit ; but we reserve her case for future reports, as 
she is growing yet. Her present weight is 131 pounds, and height 5 feet 
6-J- inches ! These are selected specimens of course. Farmers always send 
their best to the fair. But we had to leave out others as good as these, in 
making out the dozens. They do not exaggerate the strength of our rising 
generation. Now let us see what our young folks have done and are doing. 
We will not confine ourselves to those named in the tables, but take into 
view all of what we call the ' second gene ration, 7 who have grown up in tho 
Community, and are now taking its business and burdens from their fathers' 
shoulders. And first we will name some of the oldest class, who were not 
inmates of the children's house, but yet owe much of their breeding to the 
Community. 

" Henry and George Allen were the chief representatives of the Commu- 
nity in the New York Agency, and have contributed largely to its business 
reputation by their labors as traveling agents for its various manufactures. 
Martin and Myron Kinsley are known extensively as enterprising business 
men. One is now head of the farming department at Wallingford. The 
other is general superintendent of our trap works. Otis and George Kel- 
logg are also well known as agents of the Community at the banks, tele- 
graph offices, and freight depots, here and at Wallingford. Bos well and 
Victor Hawley are among our best machinists. The former has done 
invaluable service in the trap business by many inventions. John F. Sears 
is a genius of high order in mechanics, an expert in microscopy, and has 
made several microscopes of great merit. Among this older class of the 
second generation we may name also on the women's side, Harriet Allen, 
who is now mother of the children's house ; Elizabeth Hutchins, who is the 
general superintendent of the silk- works, having fifty hired girls under her 
care ; and Carrie Macknet, who has served with distinction as chief book- 
keeper of the Community. Coming to the younger set, who were trained in 
the children's house, we mention : Charles A. Cragin, the founder of our 
silk business. After serving ( in connection with Harriet Allen and Eliza- 
beth Hutchins) an apprenticeship of four months at a silk factory in Willi- 
mantic, Conn., he commenced manufacturing at Willow Place, and achieved 
at once complete success and a first-rate reputation in the silk market. He 
is now making one hundred and fifty pounds of machine twist (worth 
$2,000) per week. Edward Burnham is superintendent of the children's 
house. Francis W. Smith is an accomplished violinist, and was several 
years leader of our orchestra. Frederick Norton is a skillful and scientific 
dentist, versed in mallet-filling, and all the latest improvements. George N. 
Miller is an expert in drawing and wood-engraving. Edward P. Inslee is 
foreman in the machine-shop. Charles Burt is foreman of the carpenter's 



MARRIAGE IN THE NBW WORLD. 727 

department Alfred Hawley was foreman of the finishing part of the trap- 
shop before he was twenty years old. Sydney Y. Joslyn is foreman of the 
horticultural department. TirzahC. Miller is editress of the Circular. Mary 
L. Prindle, Augusta Hamilton, and Helen C. Miller, are expert phonographic 
reporters. Ann S. Bailey is present chief book-keeper, dealing with banks, 
assessors, and business men all over the country. 

"Our students at the scientific school of Yale University, at the present 
time, are William A. Hinds, who has formerly served the Community as 
financier, business agent, superintendent of various businesses, writer, 
reporter, printer, etc., and is now in good standing as a scholar; and Joseph 
J. Skinner, now in his third year at Yale, and said to be the first scholar in 
his class. A part of his record is, that with only the common advantages of 
Community boys in his previous education, he undertook to prepare himself 
to enter the scientific school on the short notice of seventeen days, and at the 
end of that time actually passed a rigorous examination in geometry, trig- 
onometry, algebra, and history, besides the common branches of geography, 
grammar, etc. 

"Theodore R. Noyes and George E. Cragin, both alumni of the children's 
house, were our first students at Yale, and graduated there a year ago in the 
medical department of the University. Their previous education in the 
Community gave them a standing in mental discipline and general informa- 
tion fully equal to that of college graduates. Their proficiency as medical 
students was indicated by the fact that one of them was selected by a 
leading surgeon of New Haven, as his office assistant, and the other by the 
Professor of Physiological Chemistry, as his assistant in a course of chemi- 
cal lectures before the college classes. The committee that examined them 
at their graduation, reported as follows, in the " Proceedings of the Con- 
necticut Medical Society for 1868," Yol. 3, No. 1:— 

" ' The following gentlemen were examined and recommended for the 
degree of M. D. : — 

" ' George E. Cragin, Wallingford. Thesis, Oxalic Acid in Rhubarb. 

" * Theodore R. Noyes, Wallingford. Thesis, Experimental Researches on 
the Elimination of Urea. 

" 'Julian Newell Parker, Mansfield. Thesis, Sleep. 

" 'Alfred Eastman Walker, B. A., New Haven Thesis, Inflammation. 

" 'William Yirgil Wilson, New Haven. Thesis, Wounds in general. 

" 'The theses of the first two gentlemen were based upon very elaborate 
original research — and the results # obtained were deemed so important that 
the Board voted that the thesi3 of Mr. Noyes be sent for publication to the 
" American Journal of Medical Sciences." and that the thesis of Mr. Cragin be 
recommended for publication in the Transactions of the Conn. Med. Soci- 
ety.' 



728 COMPLEX MAEEIAGE. 

" These two young men arc now engaged in the general business of the 
Community, T. R. Noyes cs director of finances and silk-dyer, and G-. E- 
Cragin as superintendent of fruit- preserving. At the same time they attend 
to the sick and wounded, and look after the general hygiene of our camp. 

"This account of our young people is by no means exhaustive. Many 
creditable examples are necessarily omitted. If it were intended to be 
a roll of honor, it would be very incomplete. But it is sufficient as an 
answer to those who disparage our rising generation, and pretend to fore- 
see the failure of Communism, in the degeneracy of its children." 

Readers who have thus far perused this account of a new and novel sys- 
tem of society, springing up right in the midst of our own, will unquestion- 
ably feel interested in the following extract of a letter by a physician 
respecting the health of the women of the Community, for it is well known 
to every reader, how common it is for those living in our system of society 
to possess and exhibit physical infirmities of some kind. The letter was 
addressed to the Communists and published in their paper in 1868, and I 
transcribe it entire, with the qualification that while my observations during 
one visit to the smaller Community at Wallingford do not enable me to 
indorse all that ho says, I saw nothing to cause me to doubt the correctness 
of his entire testimony. 

"I too," writes the medical man, (i would like to give my impressions on 
first visiting your family ; that you may better understand me, I will tell 
you briefly the circumstances which led me to make my first visit. I had 
observed in my practice as a physician, that in all cases of chronic disease 
of women there was sexual derangement, and that physicians who ignored 
this would only alleviate present symptoms and not effect a permanent cure. 
Nor could they secure as good results as with men. I saw that I could 
have no success as a physician, by prescriptions that would produce present 
comfort without reaching the radical cause of the disease. If I relied upon 
hygienic means I must understand all the causes of derangement, as well as 
the physiological condition to be established. 

" The most superficial observation convinced me that the cause of this 
frequent prostration of woman must be in her sexual experiences. All 
could not be congenital, or from any other cause that makes woman's life 
different from man's. It needed but little reflection to be convinced that 
the divine law was not sought — was habitually broken — and the conse- 
quences fell most heavily upon woman. The cause was soon apparent, and 
I became enthusiastic in my investigations and reflections, and they resulted 
in the conviction that the sexual relation has a double purpose — physical 
and spiritual — that both are ignored in the common practice of the world 
in cohabitation, in and out of marriage, and lustful desire, most frequently on 
the part of one, was substituted for divine law. I never thought of ques- 



MAHRIAGE m THE NEW TTORLB. 729 

tioDing the sanctity of marriage, but only of reforming its abuses. I had 
analyzed the consequences of the sexual love, seen the distinct spiritual and 
physical effects — knew that the one could be secured without the other. 
Bat how to educate men and purify the relations of marriage I could not 
see, and I was sure the diseases of women must increase till there was a 
change. 

" While deeply exercised on these points, a young man from Illinois came 
into my family and school, then in Jamestown, Chautauqua Co.. X. T., and 
showed me the first copy of the Circular I ever saw, and gave me the first 
knowledge of the 0. C, I ever had. An article on Education, I think from 
Mr. Xoyes, so interested me and was so in accord with an essay I had 
published, that every thing about you interested me, and nothing more than 
the young man's statement that you rejected the institution of marriage oa 
religious grounds. Crude as were his ideas of your motives and prac- 
tices, they led me to say that, ' If I could once put my eye upon the luomen 
of such a community, I could satisfy myself whether or not my own theory 
was correct,' This was the sole object of my first visit, though I had held 
to a community of property for ten years. I was received hospitably, and 
spent three days very delightfully, asked few questions, and none about your 
social relations, but probably made as careful observations of all social and 
affectional expressions as have been made before or since. I am sure no 
one ever prayed more earnestly for light, for I felt that the whole human 
race was rushing into a terrible emergency. 

" On my return I reported that the women of the Community seemed 
more healthy than the average, — they showed more intelligence, — they had 
more and better use of the physical faculties; but what interested me 
more than all, was that in their social intercourse, which seemed very free 
and unrestrained, there seemed less of that morbid craving of one sex for 
the other, than I had ever known in any people I had visited. I had 
studied the effects on the countenance of uterine disease until I could often 
determine quite accurately from the countenance the phase of disease that 
afflicted the patient before me, and I was rejoiced at not finding any of these 
signs in the countenances of those I met while at Oneida. 

" I was not blind to the advantages of varied occupation, better food than 
the average, extended social privileges and many other things that go to 
make up the advantages of community life, but I was sure the practices 
of the Community in the sexual relation did not enfeeble women as in mar- 
riage. Still I had ouly the most general idea of your theory, and I have 
since learned that then I had not a correct idea. I was not ready to express 
my own convictions, nor did I care to bias my mind by the conclusions of 
others until I had further confirmed the result of my own previous obser- 
vations. 

31* 



730 COMPLEX MARRIAGE. 

" After four or five visits to the two Communities, I have frequently said 
to those who inquired of me, that I had never seen elsewhere, women that 
showed such harmonious and integral culture, — so many indications of 
physical health, — so cheerful and thoughtful expressions of countenance, 
and so much general ability to execute what they undertake. 

" Since my first visit I have had much experience, medical and social, that 
has made this social question of more interest to me, especially while making 
Insanity a specialty. I am satisfied the terrible wrongs resulting from the 
prevailing social state, must soon be corrected. But I need not dwell on 
that. I wrote only to express my admiration of the effects of community 
life on all its members, but especially on woman. My opportunity to judge 
of the relative condition and promise of the children has been limited, and 
I pronounce no opinion, but for myself I have no doubt." 

Next I will introduce the reader to a " Declaration of Principles " as held 
by the Communists and promulgated in one of the issues of their weekly 
paper. The article is headed "Free Love." " This terrible combination 
of two very good ideas — freedom and love," — they remark, " was probably 
first used in our writings twenty years ago, and originated in the Oneida 
school of socialists. It was, however, soon "taken up by a very different 
class of speculators scattered about the country, and has come to be the 
name of a form of socialism with which we have but little affinity. Still it 
is sometimes* applied to our Communities ; and as we are certainly respon- 
sible for starting it into circulation, it seems to be our duty to tell what 
meaning we attach to it, and in what sense we are willing to accept it as a 
designation of our social system. 

"The obvious and essential difference between marriage and whoredom 
may be stated thus : — 

" Marriage is a permanent union. "Whoredom is a temporary flirtation. 

" In marriage, communism of property goes with communism of persons. 
In whoredom, love is paid for by the job. 

" Marriage makes a man responsible for the consequences of his acts of 
love to a woman. In whoredom a man imposes on a woman the heavy 
burdens of maternity, ruining, perhaps, her reputation and her health, and 
then goes his way without responsibility. 

" Marriage provides for the maintenance and education of children. 
Whoredom ignores children as nuisances and leaves them to chance. 

" Now in respect to every one of these points of difference between mar- 
riage and whoredom, we stand with marriage. Free love with us does not 
mean freedom to love to-day and leave to-morrow ; nor freedom to take a 
woman's person and keep our property to ourselves ; or freedom to freight 
a woman with our offspring and send her down stream without care or 
help ; or freedom to beget children and leavt them to the street and the 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW -WORLD. 



731 



poor-house. Our Communities are families, as distinctly bounded and sepa- 
rated from promiscuous society as ordinary households. The tie that binds 
us together is as permanent and sacred, to say the least, as that of marriage, 
for it is our religion. We receive no members (except by deception and 
mistake), who do not give heart and hand to the family interest for life and 
forever. Community of property extends just as far as freedom of love. 
Every man's care and every dollar of the common property is pledged for 
the maintenance and protection of the women and the education of the 
children of the Community. Bastardy, in any disastrous sense of the word, 
is simply impossible in such a social state. Whoever will take the trouble 
to follow our track from the beginning, will find no forsaken women or 
children by the way. In this respect we claim to be a little ahead of mar- 
riage and common civilization. 

"We are not sure how far the class of socialists called 'free lovers,' 
would claim for themselves any thing like the above defence from the charge 
of reckless and cruel freedom ; but our impression is that their position, 
scattered as they are, without organization or definite separation from sur- 
rounding society, makes it impossible for them to follow and care for the 
consequences of their freedom, and thus exposes them to the just charge of 
licentiousness. At all events their platform is entirely different from ours, 
and they must answer 
for themselves. We are 
not ' free lovers, ' in any 
sense that makes love 
less binding or responsi- 
ble than it is in mar- 
riage." 

Under the head of 
"A Social Analysis" 
they present the follow- 
ing disquisition on mar- 
riage, prostitution, old 
maidhood and Commu- 
nism: "Let us," they 
lay, " analyze t! 3 posi- 
tion of women in ordi- 
nary society, and see 
what are the chances that 
are offered to them. Wo- the late rev. j. h. notes. 

men require, like meu, or Tbe Founder of the Oneida Community, 

perhaps more than men, two things for their proper existence, viz. : 1, a 
guaranty of bodily support ; and 2, love, or social appreciation, Ihese two 




732 COMPLEX MARKIAGE. 

things sum up, for women, the primary natural wants around which all 
others are grouped. Now the last-named necessity — the love part — would 
take care of itself if allowed to act separately. The attractions with which 
women are created would secure their due supply of affection, free from all 
conditions or exactions, if they could have independent play. But the weak- 
ness of women on the point of support enables society to complicate this 
matter with the love question, so as to enforce their being treated to- 
gether; and the consequence is that man is placed in a position to offer 
women certain alternatives, one of which she must accept. Having ap- 
propriated to himself the learned professions and the lucrative industrial pur- 
suits ; having made it disreputable for women to pursue much other business 
than that of millinery work and attending the nursery, and having shaped 
their education accordingly ; having in short got immensely the start of wo- 
man in the opportunities of sell-support and made her substantially depend 
ent on him for her maintenance, he then comes forward with his proposal. 
He says to woman, I will furnish the two wants of your nature, love and sup- 
port, if you will make yourself over to me, and become my property for life, 
be at my disposal, rear my children, and wear yourself out if need be in my 
service. This is the offer of marriage, which society sanctions and deems 
an honorable destiny for woman. As it i« the best alternative that is 
offered, women generally accept it. Their youth is spent in looking at 
marriage, as the crisis of their life, hopefully it is true, for it is to be the 
advent of love ; but misgivingly also, for it is to be the end of their personal 
freedom. Their attitude reminds one too much of the wistful gaze of a 
party of slaves about to be sold, seeking to discover their future fate in the 
faces of their masters. Their lot is fixed by marriage — the die for them is 
cast — their liberty is surrendered — for better or for worse, their identity is 
sunk in that of their accepted lords. One cannot wonder at the solicitude 
with which such an event must be expected, or fail to admire the patient 
grace with which the sex has made the best of its hard conditions. 
Though in many cases the promises on the part of the man, of love and 
support, are left wholly unfulfilled, yet woman being married, disdains to 
complain, buries her wrongs in silence, and looks for happiness in the world 
beyond the grave. 

11 So much for the marriage alternative. But there are two others. Bear in 
mind that loving and being loved is a necessity of women, nearly as much as 
subsistence, and if for any reason they are deprived of the chance of secur- 
ing both these wants by selling themselves in marriage, then they are under 
an inducement at least, to try to gain one of them regardless of the other. 
To women in this situation men are always ready to say, We will offer you our 
love, or a passion which is its representative, providing it is to be temporary, 
and that yon do not ast us to be responsible for your support. A class of 



MARRIAGE IN T THE NEW WORLD. 733 

women in every country take up with this second alternative, enjoying 3, 
quasi social existence, but generally ending life in the hospital or alms- 
house. This is prostitution. 

" The third and last alternative of women is to reject alliance with man 
both in the respectable and the disreputable way, and consent to spend 
lonely, thriftless, anomalous lives, as old maids, living on the meres: alms 
of society. These different arrangements comprise all the chances offered 
to woman by civilization as it is, and may be presented thus : — 

"I. Man offers woman love and support ( not always paid). He exacts of 
woman — sacrifice of maiden name and of independence ; life-long servitude r 
personal surrender to his ownership, even to the ruin of her health if he 
pleases. State — marriage. 

" II. He oners woman love without support (of equivocal quality). 
He exacts — sacrifice of reputation : conditions tending to vice; final deser- 
tion, poverty, and misery. State — prostitution. 

"III. He offers to woman toleration and alms. She realizes social 
insignificance. State — old m a idh ood. 

" Of the three conditions, that of marriage is by far the best, and yet one 
cannot but see that it is imperfect. It savors of selfishness driving a hard 
bargain. There is something essentially base in the act of society reducing 
women to dependence, and then taking advantage of their necessity to 
exact terms which obliterate their individual freedom and place them for a 
life-time at the mercy of the man who buys them. It is true the evil is not 
all on the woman's side ; nature revenges injustice bv giving man often- 
times but a barren empire over the person ; while the heart that he seeks is 
beyond his reach. And it is true also, that the better nature of both parties 
often conceals the odious features of the contract under an affection which 
produces happiness in marriage. But the marriage institution itself, view 
it as we may, remains a one-sided, usurious transaction, extorted by man's 
strength out of woman's necessities. 

11 If men could lay aside for a moment tradition, ancient usage, and, above 
all, the selfishness which makes right of might, and look at their duty to 
women in the clear light of the golden rule, they would see a better way 
than to shut up their sisters to the hard alternatives which society now 
makes for them. A truly noble and generous man would desire to say to 
woman, You shall at least be free ; you shall stand fair and equal with me 
in opportunities of self-support. I disdain forcing you to dispose of your- 
self by the compulsion of necessity. "Whatever alliance is between us shall 
be that of pure and spontaneous affection, unbribed and unfettered. In fact 
a chivalric mind in man would go further than this, and say to woman, [ 
will offer you both love and support free from all conditions and stipula- 
tions, trusting to your affection and fidelity to reward my sex, if not wq 



734 COMPLEX MARRIAGE. 

individually. Such a compact, worthy of the spirit of Christianity, and 
which we may suppose regulates society in heaven, would be formularized 
thus: — 

"Man offers woman lovb and support (unconditional). Woman, en- 
joying freedom, self-respect, health, personal and mental competency, gives 
herself to man in the boundless sincerity of an unselfish union. State — 
wmmunism" 

Again, under the caption of "Civilization and Communism " they 
present some quaint views on social matters, which will be interesting to 
those who are thinking of or laboring for social reform. The literature of 
these people whether correct or not is suggestive, and inasmuch as the 
time has arrived when thoughtful attention should be given to the improve- 
ment of the social and moral condition of mankind, I feel confident that the 
excerpts I am making from their publications, will be followed by some good 
results. 

"The definition of the word civilization," says the writer, " as we find it 
in Webster's Unabridged is — 'the state of being civilized, refinement, cul- 
ture.' While this definition may be sufficient for the ordinary purpose 
of a dictionary, it is manifest that the distinction between the conditions of 
savage and civilized man, is susceptible of a much more thorough explana- 
tion. The leading characteristic of savages is their mutual independence 
and distrust j that of civilized people is their mutual dependence and trust. 
It occurs to me in passing, that the words trust and distrust are synony- 
mous with faith and unbelief. It follows then that faith and unbelief are 
characterizing elements of civilization and barbarism. 

" By way of demonstration of this proposition, we need only to consider 
the wants of the two classes, and the different means by which they are 
supplied. The wants of the savage are few, simply because his means 
of supplying them are so limited. He satisfies the cravings of hunger by 
his own right arm, and an appeal to nature's most obvious and direct means 
of supply, which is the wild game, fish, and fruits which his native forests 
and waters produce. He finds ready woven clothing covering the bear, the 
deer, the buffalo, and furred animals, which he appropriates to his own use. 
He approaches as near as possible to our ideal of independence, because his 
few wants are supplied by his own efforts, without an appeal to his fellow- 
men for help in the operation. Nevertheless, so far as he is dependent on 
his relations to his family or tribe, or on his traditions for wisdom and 
skill in procuring the supply of all his wants, just so far his life and 
nature partake of the characteristics of civilization. An utterly savage 
man, is an utter impossibility, unless a specimen can be discovered that 
was never, in any sense dependent on his fellow-man for the supply of 
any of his wants. 



MARRIAGE m THE NEW WORLD. 735 

"In civilized society, on the contrary, human wants are numerous, 
because they have been fostered by an abundant supply. This abundant 
supply is the result of that faith in, and dependence on each other, which 
characterize civilization. In the place of the few, timid, wild animals of 
the forest, affording an uncertain sustenance to the sparse population 
of savage men, we have the 'cattle upon a thousand hills,' yielding of 
their abundance to their numerous and wealthy owners. Instead of such a 
scarcity of fruit that the Indian could picture the glories of his heaven in 
no more luxurious way than by representing it as pre-eminently a land of 
strawberries, we have single acres that yield their hundreds of bushels of 
that delicious fruit. In the place of the scant clothing stripped from the 
backs of the wild denizens of the forest, we have whole villages devoted to 
the fabrication of cotton, woolen, and silk material for human apparel. 

u All these, and much more of the good fruits of civilization, we say, are 
the result of mutual faith or trust, which is the characterizing element of 
civilization. By way of illustrating the method by which this faith mani- 
fests itself, let it be supposed that I devote my whole time and attention to 
raising strawberries. How is it that I can afford to give the whole of my 
business attention to cultivating that single production ? What security 
have I, that my manifold other wants, such as the demand for food, cloth- 
ing, shelter, means of traveling, books, etc., will be supplied, if I give all 
my energies to this single branch of business? The answer to these 
questions is, that I have secure faith or trust — so deeply rooted that I am 
quite unconscious of it — that my neighbors will furnish the means of supply- 
ing all these wants ; and therefore I may safely give my whole time and 
talents to the work of raising strawberries. I am thus at liberty to improve 
the business so as to produce the largest quantity and finest quality. My 
temporal prosperity in all things, is measured by my success in this one 
thing. Indeed Christ's terse, and condensed summing up of his gospel, 
1 Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all things 
shall be added unto you,' might most appropriately be paraphrased into a 
summary of true business doctrine thus: Seek- ye first the perfection and 
abundance of your own productions, and all other good things shall be added 
unto you. 

" Thus we demonstrate that civilization is the fruit of faith. The pro- 
ducer believes that he shall have a sure market for his productions. He 
believes also that his neighbors, or in other words society, will supply his 
manifold wants. Therefore he presses forward in the work of the greatest 
and most perfect production with the full assurance of faith and the high- 
est encouragement. He gets his reward by serving his neighbors. The 
savage lacks this faith in society, and believes only in his own right arm 
aad iia power to secure the food that he can find by hunting. The civilized 



736 COMPLEX MARRIAGE, 

man, when he goes abroad on a hunt for a livelihood, searches not directly 
for the food and clothing that he wants, but he searches for a want in 
society and for the means of supplying that want, well knowing that for 
such work he shall not fail of his reward. 

"The grand results of this faith are, 1st, a. division of labor in its thou- 
sand-fold branches, assigning individuals to each branch ; 2d, a system of 
exchange or commerce whereby each partakes of the fruit of his neighbors' 
toil ; 3d, a multiplication of human wants, with abundant production of the 
means of their supply. 

" Finally we may say that civilization, so far as it has a foothold in the 
world, is nothing less than the glorious state of things which Paul ascribes 
to the church of Christ, and which he illustrates by the perfect unity, com- 
bined with diversity of gifts, in the members of the human body, which is 
the very image of God. Civilization considered by itself, pure and simple, 
is a beautiful, a glorious thing. The injustice, the oppression, and all the 
foul abominations that haunt modern society, are the result, not of a spirit 
of civilization, but of the lack of it. "We may say that a little civilization is a 
dangerous thing, in the same sense that we say that a little knowledge is a 
dangerous thing. It gives power to individuals and corporations, which 
wielded by a savage spirit, produces enormous evil. The history of the world 
has thus far been simply that of the power of civilization on the one hand, 
invading and overcoming barbarism on the other. In the crash of the con- 
flict we can form no just estimate of the glorious results that civilization is 
capable of when she shall have fairly conquered her heritage. 

"It has been shown in the foregoing that civilized society is distinguished, 
first, by its division of the work of production into an almost infinite number 
of branches, with individuals separately assigned to each ; and secondly, by 
the establishment of a system of commerce whereby each may enjoy the 
fruit of his neighbors' industry. "We have shown also that this state of 
things is founded on mutual trust or confidence, and that it results in an 
interweaving of interests and a grand unity which are unattainable in the 
ravage condition of mankind. 

"If this analysis of the elements of civilization is correct, it follows that 
we have a good test for determining the character of the various forms of 
society, the institutions, manners, and customs that we observe around us. 
By it we may compare and ascertain in a measure whether they partake 
more of the character of civilization or its opposite. 

" How is it in regard to the prevailing system of holding private property ? 
Of which element does this system partake the most — that of civilization, or 
that of barbarism? We say that the essence of civilization consists in the 
working of that mutual faith or confidence which enables an individual to 
trust others for the supply of his multifarious wants, while he gives his 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 737 

undivided attention to some single branch of production for the supply of his 
neighbors' wants. Well, is this hoarding up of property for the use of one 
individual, or of the small circle of individuals comprised in a family, a mani- 
festation of this faith or trust? Far from it. It is rather a manifestation 
of distrust, the same in kind with that which actuates the savage who 
lives almost independently of his neighbors. True, a business man ought 
to have the handling of all the capital that is needful to keep his business 
in a thriving condition, and for the supply of all necessary personal wants ; 
but so far as the system of private-property holding gives the individual 
power to hoard up and sequester property for his own pleasure, withdrawing 
it from its legitimate use as capital, we insist that it is a relic of barbarism, 
and directly opposed to the civilization that characterizes this age. 

"We might go further, and apply the characteristic test of civilization to 
the marriage system. A certain theological professor once said to his pupils, 
1 Foliow the truth, if it takes your heads off'.' If we were to follow his 
advice in the present instance, we should, by the guidance of this test, 
reason as follows: All men have social wants. The unmarried part of 
man and woman kind have a certain degree of liberty to put forward their 
social powers and susceptibilities into circulation, producing a sort of general 
interweaving of social ties not unlike that of the business world. This com- 
plex geniality and unity we aver to be a faint shadowing of the state in 
heaven, where they neither marry nor are given in marriage. But what is 
it when a man uses his powers of attraction as an Indian uses his bow and 
arrows, and goes forth to capture or captivate a woman that he may take 
her home to be his exclusive property henceforth, to supply his social wants 
alone ? Is this an act that is characteristic of civilization as we have defined 
it? Does this act indicate trust or faith in society that it will supply all 
legitimate social wants ? Is it not rather a manifestation of Indian self- 
dependence and lack of trust ? Is it not a hoarding up of social capital, 
sequestering it from its legitimate use in a manner that is essentially the 
same as that in which men hoard up business capital? Putting out of the 
account all those softening influences that civilization has thrown around it, 
and the divine sanction it has had during an immature social state, our 
verdict is, that marriage is a relic of barbarism. 

:; This judgment of the private property and marriage systems is based 
on their intrinsic nature as tested by the rule which has been offered. If 
we examine the results or fruits of these two elements of modern society, 
involving as they do the separate household, we shall come to the same 
conclusion. We shall find that the fruits are very different from those 
which belong to civilization. 

,; One of the most manifest blessings of civilization is, the freedom from 
eare that it affords the individual by means of its division of labor. The 



T68 COMPLEX MARRIAGE. 

private-property system interferes with, and limits this arrangement, by 
imposing upon every one the duty of a watch-dog over his own little pile. 
True, he may hire a lawyer to be his watch-dog ; but it is rather expensive, 
and there still remains the necessity for watching the dog. 

" Again it is the appropriate work of civilization, to supply the individ- 
ual's every want in the most economical manner, and therefore on the largest 
scale consistent with the exigencies of business. But the institution of the 
little separate household, steps in and limits this work at a certain point, 
declaring that civilization shall go no further than to furnish material more 
or less elaborated for human use, and that the finishing touches of this 
work must be performed by means of the expensive, wearing, monotonous, 
and, we might add, Indian and uncivilized methods, which necessarily per- 
tain, in a greater or lesser degree to the isolated household. 

" For another thing, the motives for industry that are held out to man 
under the private- property system, are of the lowest and coarsest kind. 
We have already shown that . this is true of the savage condition. ' Root, 
hog, or die,' says barbarous society to its members. 'Root, hog, or die,' 
echoes the private-property system. It may be objected to this view of the 
matter, that it is an inexorable law of our being that applies as well to civilized 
as to savage society, that if any would not work neither should he eat. We 
subscribe heartily to that doctrine, but at the same time hold that there are 
many motives for industry that are infinitely higher than that of merely 
getting a living. We maintain that in a true state of heart-civilization, these 
higher motives could be more successfully appealed to, and that this rule 
of the private-property system, which appeals so constantly to the lower 
motive, may be classed with the law spoken of in Scripture, which is made 
for the lawless and disobedient. One of the evil fruits of this constant 
appeal to the lower motive for activity is, that it leads people to regard all 
labor as a curse, and a state of plethoric sloth as the highest earthly 
heaven. 

" \ But,' says an objector, ( supposing that we were to admit, for the sake 
of the argument, that the institutions of private property and marriage are 
relics of barbarism. Pray tell us how you propose to change things for 
the better ? What is your higher cultivation, and how will you introduce 
it ? Do you propose to banish the private-property and marriage systems 
at once, because they are barbarous institutions? A pretty mess you 
would make of it !' 

" No, Mr. Objector, I don't propose to do any such thing. It is rather 
too large a job for me or any one man to undertake. Indeed it appears to 
be a work of such magnitude as to be worthy of no less a power than that 
of the Almighty himself to take the control of. And this thought suggests 
the idea that he may have particularly directed the advance of civilization 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 



739 



in the past, and that we might profitably study the work that he has 
already done, with a view to discovering his plan in regard to it and to 
forming some estimate of what we might reasonably expect in the 
future. Patrick Henry said, ' that he knew of no means of judging the 
future but by the past/ Though we may not all of us subscribe to that 
doctrine in its fullest extent, yet it is generally admitted to be a pretty 
safe way of reasoning. We may perhaps in another paper take up and 
discuss the methods by which civilization has progressed in the past, with 
a view to discover how we might reasonably expect that it will ultimately 
displace these barbarous institutions that we have been considering." 

The date of copyright of this book shows when the foregoing matter 
was prepared. The Oneida Community was then an interesting social 
experiment,, and the writer thought it worthy of notice in these pages. 
Complex marriage and other exceptional features of this experiment 
were abandoned in the year 
1881, "by unanimous con- 
sent." as a member informs 
us, but at a time when there 
was a determined assault 
upon the complex marriage 
system by outsiders who 
were intent upon procuring 
legislative measures, if nec- 
essary, for its suppression. 
The property interests were, 
at the same time, readjusted 
by the formation of a joint 
stock corporation. ' 'The 
Oneida Community, Limit- 
ed, " and the division of stock 
among the members. A Joseph smith, the prophet. 

large number of marriages took place among the members of the old 
Community immediately after the change, and they now live in separate 
families on the monogamic plan. Apparently a preference for this 
change was developing among the members within coincident with the 
pressure exerted from without. 

The other open departure from our monogamic system of marriage, 
referred to in the introduction of this subject, has -been suppressed by 
Congressional statutes since this book was first issued. 

In Utah, among the Mormons, we had polygamy of what was 
claimed to be a Christ (fin type, and, as a social study, we permit the 
account to remain unaltered, as it was written. A man by the inevitable 
name of Smith was born in 1805, who, during his boyhood, had many 




740 MORMON POLYGAMY. 

visions, and soon after emerging from his " teens," was directed by an 
angel of the Lord to a place where he found some gold plates bearing an 
unintelligible record. But apples never grew without hands to pick them, 
and beautiful landscapes were never made without eyes to see them. For- 
tunately for Smith, a pair of gold spectacles were found in the same earth, 
with which he could read all the gold plates had to say, and the stones of these 
spectacles were called the "Urimand Thummim;' , the characters on the 
plates were "Reformed Egyptian," but sitting behind a screen where no one 
could see him and with the aid of the aforesaid spectacles, Joseph, sur- 
named Smith, was able to read and interpret them, while a man outside the 
screen took down all that Joseph read to him. 

The manuscripts were printed in 1830, making a volume of several 
hundred pages, and this publication was straightway called the " Book of 
Mormon," and by some the "Golden Bible." This work now consists of 
sixteen distinct books, professing to have been written at different periods 
by successive prophets. 

The Mormon Church was first organized in the State of New York, but 
soon after removed to Kirtland, Ohio, where an immense temple was built. 
Here Smith was joined by Brigham Young and several others, who have 
become prominent in the Mormon Church. Pecuniary disasters finally 
drove them from Ohio to Missouri, and the incensed people of the latter 
State made such war upon them that they were expelled from its borders. 
Their next foothold became more permanent. They built another costly tem- 
ple at Nauvoo, Illinois, and finally a considerable city ; and Smith the Great 
was not only the prophet of the church, but the mayor of Nauvoo. Polyg- 
amy had not been thought of however until about 1838, when Smith "per- 
suaded several women to cohabit with him, calling them his spiritual wives." 
This occasioned a matrimonial rumpus in Smith's family, for his legal wife 
was made jealous by the conduct of the prophet; but the family fracas 
ended by the complete surrender of the incensed wife, who, "to pacify her 
Smith, received in the summer of 1843 a revelation authorizing polygamy." 
The church first disputed this, and proclaimed itself opposed to polygamy, 
but ten years later it openly accepted the revelation and defended the new 
order of things. There was however a large number of dissenters, between 
whom and the prophet there arose a sharp conflict, resulting in the death 
of Smith by a bullet from a mob. Finally Nauvoo was cannonaded for three 
days, and all the Mormpns were driven out. In the autumn of 1848 Brigham 
Young, who succeeded Smith as prophet and leader, found himself sur- 
rounded by the faithful at Salt Lake, Utah, where the church has flourished 
and received accessions till it numbers in Utah, at this writing, one hun- 
dred thousand members. For the facts from which I have made up the 
foregoing brief narrative of the Mormons up to the time of their settlement 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 741 

in Utah, I am indebted to the New American Cyclopedia. The subjoined 
information with all the quotations are derived from an interesting book by 
William Hepworth Dixon, recently published and entitled " New America." 
Mr. Dixon was hospitably received by the " saints," and consequently 
enjoyed unusual opportunities to observe the domestic life of these strange 
people. 

" ' Look around you,' said Young to me, ' if you want to know what kind of 
people we are. Nineteen years ago this valley was a desert, growing noth- 
ing but the wild sage and the dwarfed sunflowers ; we who came into it 
brought nothing with us but a few oxen and wagons and a bag of seeds 
and roots ; the people who came after us, many of them weavers and arti- 
sans brought nothing, not a cent, not even skill and usage of the soil ; and 
when you look from this balcony you can see what we have made of it.' 

11 These people are gathered from all quarters of the world, for when 
Young wants a 'missionary,' he picks his man whether he finds him in the 
street, workshop, or field, and dispatches him at once with an empty purse 
into the Gentile world to preach the Mormon gospel ; the saints boast that 
when they go out to convert the Gentiles they carry with them no purse, 
no scrip ; that they go forth naked and alone, to do the Lord's work in the 
Lord's way ; trusting in no arm of flesh, in no power of gold, taking no 
thought of what they shall eat and where they shall lie down; but put their 
lives and fortune wholly in the hands of God. Thus these enthusiastic 
missionaries have started out for Liverpool. Damascus, Delhi, and Pekin, 
and reach those localities, too, by resorting to all sorts of labor on the way. 
At Utah to the craftsman they promise mills ; xo the peasant, farms. The 
heaven of which they tell is not placed wholly beyond the grave ; earth 
itself is, in their opinion, a part of heaven ; and as the earth and all that is 
in it are the Lord's, they announce that these riches of the earth are the 
true inheritance of his saints." 

On their arrival the new converts are in reality taken care of. "A 
bishop's main function is to see that no man in his ward or in his county, 
is in want of food and raiment ; in the Lord's name he takes from the 
prosperous what is necessary ' for the needy, for the whole earth is the 
Lord's.' There is also a tithing office which extracts from the rich a 
reasonable share of their revenue, whether of money or produce, and at this 
place the poor may obtain succor ; the wants of the poor take precedence of 
the wants of the church. A special fund is raised for the relief of neces- 
sitous saints, and Young himself, the servant of all, discharges in person 
the troublesome duties of this trust." 

Labor is provided for all ; Mr. Dixon visited a meeting of the bishops 
called for the purpose of attending to the welfare of a fresh lot of Mormons 
from the Gentile world. ;, The old men." he says, "gathered in a ring; 



742 MORMON POLYGAMY. 

and Edward Hunter, their presiding bishop, questioned each and all as to 
the work going on in his ward, the building, painting, draining, gardening; 
also as to what this man needed and that man needed in the way of help. 
An emigrant train had just come in, and the bishops bad to put six hundred 
persons in the way of growing their cabbages and building their homes. 
One bishop said he could take five bricklayers, another two carpenters, a 
third a tinman, a fourth seven or eight farm servants, and so on through the 
whole bench. In a few minutes, I saw that two hundred of these poor 
emigrants had been placed in the way of earning their daily bread. 'This,' 
said Young with a sly little smile, 'is one of the labors of our bishops.' I 
confess," says Dixon, " I could not see much harm in it. 

" The saints, as a rule, are not poor, in the sense in which the Irish are 
poor ; not needy as a race, a body, and a church ; indeed for a new society 
starting with nothing, and having its fortunes to make by labor, they are 
rich. Utah is sprinkled with farms and gardens ; the hill-sides are pictured 
with flocks and herds and the capital city, the New Jerusalem, is finely 
laid out and nobly built. Every man labors with his hand and brain ; the 
people are frugal ; their fields cost them nothing ; and the wealth created 
by their industry is great. To multiply flocks and herds, to lay up corn 
and wheat, is with them to obey the commands of God." 

Women, as well as men do something. ''Young's house," says Dixon, 
"is called the Bee-hive ; in it no drone ever finds a place ; for the prophet's 
wives are bound to support themselves by needle-craft, teaching, spinning, 
dyeing yarn, and preserving fruit. On men fall the heavier toils of the field, 
the ditch, and the hill-side, where they break the ground, dam up the river, 
fell the maple and the dwarf oak, pasture the cattle, and catch the wild 
horse. But the sexes take each their share of the common task, rearing 
houses, planting gardens, starting workshops, digging mines; each with a 
strain of energy and passion never found on the eastern slopes of this 
Wasatch Chain. 

" The ministry is unprofessional and unpaid. Prophets, presidents, 
bishops, elders, all pursue their vocations in the city and on the soil." 
With all their industry, however, they take time for amusement and recrea- 
tion. "The earth, according to the Mormon idea, is a paradise made for 
their enjoyment. Young.may be described as a minister of mirth ; having 
built a great theatre in which his daughters play comedies and interludes ; 
having built a social hall in which the young of both sexes dance and sing ; 
and having set the example of balls and music parties both in the open air 
and under private roofs. Concerts and operas are constantly being given. 
Water-parties, picnics, all the contrivances for innocent amusement, have 
his hearty sanction. Care is bestowed on the ripening of grapes, on the 
culture of peaches, on the cooking of food ; so that an epicure may chance 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 



743 



to find in the New Jerusalem dainties that he would sigh for in Washington 
and New York. 1 ' 

The information which the reader has a right to look for in this place, 
however, is that which appertains to the marriage relation, and this I can 
gather better from Hepworth Dixon's book, than from any other source at 
my command. The " Mormon Church," he remarks, " puts marriage into the 
Very front of man's duties on earth. ' Neither man nor woman,' says Young, 
1 can work out the will of God alone ; that is, all human beings have a 

Fig. 171. 




BRIGHAM, THE PROPHET. 



function to discharge on earth — the function of providing tabernacles of the 
flesh for immortal spirits now waiting to be born, — which cannot be dis- 
charged except through that union of the sexes implied in marriage.' To 
evade that function is, according to Young, to evade the most sacred of 
man's obligations. It is to commit sin. An unwedded man in Mormon 
belief is an imperfect creature ; like a bird without wings, a body without 
soul. Nature is dual; to complete his organization a man must marry. 



744 MOEMON POLYGAMY. 

'Love/ says Young, 4s a yearning for a higher state of existence; and 
the passions properly understood are feeders of our spiritual life.' 

" Instead of denying to their popes and priests the consolation of woman's 
love, they encourage them to indulge in a plurality of wives ; and among 
their higher clergy, — the prophet, the apostles, and the bishops, — this 
indulgence is next to universal. Not to be a pluralist is not to be a good 
Mormon. They may also secure not only wives for earth but those for 
heaven. A strange peculiarity which the saints have intruded into the finer 
relations of husband and wife is that of continuity. Their right of sealing 
man and woman to each other, may be for either time or eternity; that is 
to say, the man may take the woman as his wife either for this world only, 
as we all do in the Christian church, or for this world during life and the 
next world after death. Thus the earth-wife of one man may be the spirit- 
ual wife of another. The right of choosing a celestial partner is not confined 
to the men however, for among these saints the female enjoys nearly the 
same power of selecting her celestial bridegroom, as the male enjoys of 
selecting his mortal bride. 

"Another peculiarity," continues Dixon, "not less strange, which the 
Mormons have introduced into these delicate relations, is that of sealing 
a living person to the dead. The marriage for time is an affair of earth, 
and must be contracted between a living man and a living woman ; but the 
marriage for eternity, being an affair of heaven, may be contracted, say 
these saints, with either the living or the dead, provided always that it be 
a real engagement of the persons, sanctioned by the Prophet, and solem- 
nized in the proper form. In any case it must be a genuine union ; a true 
marriage in the canonical sense, and according to the written law, not a pla- 
tonic rite, an attachment of souls, which would bind the two parties 
together in a mystical bond only. This is done by the machinery of substitu- 
tion. Substitution ! Can there be such a thing in any marriage as either one 
man or one woman, standing in the place of another ? Young has declared 
it ! A woman may choose her own bridegroom of the skies, but like the 
man who would take a second wife, the woman who desires to marry a 
dead husband, can do it in no other way than on Young's intercession, and 
by his consent. By a religious act he can seal her to the dead man, whom 
she has chosen to be her own lord and king in heaven ; by the same act he 
can give her a substitute on earth from among his elders and apostles ; should 
her beauty tempt his eye, he may accept for himself the office of proxy for 
her departed saint. In the tabernacle," says Dixon, " I have been shown 
two ladies who are sealed to Young by proxy as the wives of Joseph; the 
prophet himself tells me there are many more ; and of these two I can 
testify that their relations to him are the same as those of any other mortal 
wives. They are the mothers of children who bear his name. 



MARRIAGE IN THE NEW WORLD. 745 

11 In the Mormon church, polygamy is not a right of man, but a gift of 
God. A saint may wed one woman without seeking leave from his prophet; 
that privilege may be considered one of his rights as a man: but beyond 
this limit he can never go except by permission of his spiritual chief. In 
every case of taking a second wife a special warrant is required from 
heaven, which Young alone has a right to ask. If Young says Yea, the 
marriage may take place j if he says Nay, there is no appeal from his 
spoken word. 

11 Every priest of the higher grades in Salt Lake Valley has a plural 
household, the number of his mates varying with the wealth and character 
of the elder. No apostle has less than three wives. Of the marriages of 
Brigham Young, Heber Kimball, and Daniel Wells, the three members of 
what is here called the first presidency, no accounts are kept in the public 
office. It is the fashion of every pious old lady in this community, who 
may have lost her husband by death, to implore the bishop of her ward to 
take measures for getting her sealed to one of these three presidents- 
Young is of course the favorite of such widows, and it is said that he never 
makes a journey from the Bee-hive without being called upon to indulge one 
of these poor creatures in her wish. Hence a great many women hold the 
nominal rank of his wife whom he has scarcely ever seen, and with whom 
he has never held the relations of a husband as we should understand the 
term. The actual wives of Brigham Young, the women who live in his 
houses, in the Bee-hive, in the Lion house, in the White Cottage (who are 
the mothers of his children), are twelve, or about twelve in number. 

''The saints," remarks Mr. Dixon, u go much beyond Abraham; and I 
for one am inclined to think that they have found their type of domestic 
life in the Indian's wigwam, rather than in the patriarch's tent. Like the 
Ute, a Mormon may have as many wives as he can feed ; like the Mandan he 
may marry three or four sisters, an aunt and her niece, a mother and her 
children. Perhaps it would not be too much to say that in the Mormon 
code there is no such crime as incest, and that a man is practically free to 
woo and wed any woman who may take his eye." 

When men "are married so much," as " Artemus " used to say, there 
are of course large households of children. Young told Mr. Dixon he had 
forty-eight now alive. "Every house seemed full; wherever we saw a 
woman she was nursing ; and every house we entered two or three infants 
in arms were Bhown us. That valley is indeed the true baby land. One 
merchant was unable to tell how many children he had. Could not quite 
remember!" It seems that some of the Mormons have their wives and 
children all under one roof while others keep them in separate cottages. 
When this is the case they may dine at one table. Every man arranges his 
household to suit himself, so long as he maintains the peace of his family. 
32 



746 MORMON POLYGAMY. 

Mr. Dixon was convinced that polygamy was not popular with the 
female saints. " Besides," says he, " what I have seen and heard from 
Mormon wives, themselves living in polygamous families, I have talked, 
alone, and freely, with eight or nine different girls, all of whom have lived 
at Salt Lake for two or three years. They are undoubted Mormons, who 
have made many sacrifices for their religion, but after seeing the family life 
of their fellow-saints, they have one and all become firmly hostile to polyg- 
amy. Two or three of these girls are pretty, and might have been mar- 
ried in a month. They have been courted very much, and one of them 
has received no less than seven offers." This statement verifies what I say 
in another place in regard to polygamy not being indigenous to our soil, and 
for which reason there is no occasion for alarm if all are allowed polygamous 
households who want them, and can find women lonely, dependent, or silly 
enough to become members of it. Mr. Dixon remarks, that a few of the 
female saints talk and write differently from those referred to above, and 
he says that the elders, if you listen to them, would make you believe that 
" a plurality of wives excites in the female breast the wildest fanaticism." 

After a pretty thorough, and, it would seem, impartial criticism, however, 
Mr. Dixon paid them the following very flattering compliment. " Among 
the Mormon presidents and apostles, we have not seen one face on which 
liar and hypocrite were written. Though we daily meet with fanatics, we 
have not seen a single man whom we can call a rogue." Doubtless, then, 
Mr. Dixon attributes the assertions of the elders that the women strongly 
embrace polygamy, to fanaticism and self-deception, instead of willful false- 
hood. Their doctrinal notes are stated by Dixon as follows : — 

" 1. God is a person with the form and flesh of man. 

" 2. Man is a part of the substance of God, and will himself become a 
god. 

" 3. Man is not created by God, but existed from all eternity. 

" 4. Man is not born in sin, and is not accountable for offences other than 
his own. 

u 5. The earth is a colony of embodied spirits, one of many such settle- 
ments in space. 

" 6. God is President of the immortals, having under him four orders of 
beings: (1), Gods — that is to say, immortal beings, possessed of a perfect 
organization of soul and body; being the final state of men who have 
lived on earth in perfect obedience to the lav/ ; (2), Angels — immortal 
beings, who have lived on earth in imperfect obedience to the law ; (3), 
Men — immortal beings, in whom a living soul is united with a human body ; 
(4) 7 Spirits — immortal beings still waiting to receive their tabernacle of 
flesh. 

" 7. Man, being one of the race of gods, became eligible, by means of 






CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER IV. 747 

marriage, for a celestial throne ; his household of wives and children being 
his kingdom, not on earth only, but in heaven. 

" 8. The Kingdom of God has been again founded on the earth ; the 
time has come for the saints to take possession of their own ; but by virtue, 
not by violence: by industry, not by force." 

The Mormons are fashionable, at least, in their matrimonial regulations; 
for, as remarked in another place, it is claimed by an authoritative writer 
that polygamy is tolerated by the laws and usages of four-fifths of the 
human race, and the facts given in this chapter are not such as to dis- 
prove his assertion. Divorces among the Mormons I believe are never 
granted without the consent of the church. 

Much Space has been allotted in this chapter to facts appertaining to 
the Communists and Mormons ; but I feel confident that the matter will be 
perused with interest. Indeed, all of the marriage and social customs of 
the great variety of people alluded to in the foregoing essays, will attract the 
attention of all who are interested in the study of human nature, and in 
the ''reconstruction " of society upon a basis which shall be the best adapted 
to secure the comfort, peace, happiness, and moral progress of every indi- 
vidual member, according to his taste and moral and physical needs; for 
while no two were ever constituted alike, the diversity acquires still more 
marked significance in distinct communities, so much so that nothing is 
more impossible than an attempt to reconcile all to one sect in religion, or 
to one kind of family organization. The mental digestion of the facts here- 
in presented regarding the customs of all sorts of people living upon our 
planet, and who will soon become our next-door neighbors by means of 
railroads and telegraphs, must give rise to a variety of reflections in the 
minds of thoughtful readers; and if only those which find utterance 
could be caught by the quick hand of the phonographer, transcribed on 
paper, set up in type, and passed through the grim press of the printer, a 
valuable contribution would be added to our social literature, one which 
would be felt in our social matters as much as the ballot is in our political 
affairs. 

Half-a-dozen random thoughts occurring to my own mind I will append 
here. Adultery is seldom spoken of as sin except when perpetrated by a 
woman. In nearly all countries and under nearly all social systems mar- 
riage is not the union of two congenial persons, drawn together by force 
of attraction, but it is a contract arranged by parents or other disinterested 
parties, or mainly managed in such a way that the parties most interested 
arc not free to act for themselves; it is also an association often brought 
about by financial, pecuniary, or other considerations foreign entirely to 
those appertaining to mental, physical, and magnetic adaptation. The con- 
duct of woman in nearly every thing i3 under the surveillance of man, so 



748 RANDOM THOUGHTS. 

much so, that one would suppose the Almighty had issued a decree, that 
man should be held responsible for the actions of both sexes, aud that he 
would at the judgment-seat be held to answer for all the sins of women. 
(It is due to justice that he should answer for some of them.) Men and 
women are seldom joined together by God, or consistently with physi- 
ological law, which is God's law ; consequently there is little danger of 
man's putting asunder what God has joined together. It is doubtful if a 
case of this kind ever occurred, in this or any other country, in any age of 
the world. We see that freedom of affection, and even sexual promiscuity, 
do not necessarily degrade or demoralize woman or generate diseases, as 
illustrated by the easy-going Japanese, and the Oneida Community. In 
monogamic society these liberties when taken, degrade and demoralize 
woman, because they debar her from association with the virtuous and the 
respectable ; and they cause diseases, because in prostitution, at least, cohab- 
itation takes place for a pecuniary consideration and greed of gam, inducing 
the most unnatural excesses, attended finally witli dissipation, personal neg- 
lect, and disgust for one's self. The flesh and the spirit, both, may be said to 
be scourged. During the reign of polygamy in Utah, the Mormons 
boasted that there was no such thing as prostitution among them ; but 
polygamy alone was not sufficient to prevent prostitution. There were 
harlots in the days of the patriarchs, and we find that this class of 
women is common in Oriental countries where polygamy is practiced. 
The non-existence of prostitution among the Mormons during polygamy, 
was undoubtedly due to two facts: first, no more women flocked to their 
territory than were wanted for wives ; second, the Church so assisted 
the poor Mormons that all u'ae men could have one or more wives, while 
indigent women were too well provided for to be tempted to adopt or 
driven into a life of shame. With these somewhat disjointed items 
thrown together in one paragraph I will bring this chapter to an end, 
simply remarking that to the close student of sociology it is a matter of 
regret that two such interesting departures from customary usages as 
the Oneida complex marriage and Mormon polygamy should have gone 
out before showing to the world what they could have done in the neg- 
lected field of stirpiculture. It would be interesting now, if some one 
having time for such investigation, would visit the regions where th.3se 
experiments were tried, and note their effects upon the children that 
were born in these respective communities. 




CHAPTER V. 

DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 

I HE author has no desire to arouse the prejudices of the 

public, and would gladly leave the task he is about 

to undertake in this chapter to abler heads and 

stronger hands. But some one must undertake the 

unpopular work cf exhibiting the defects of the old 

marriage-systems, and cf awakening the inventive 

ingenuity of the age to the discovery of new rules and customs 

for the regulation cf intercourse between the sexes ; for we are 

now rapidly drifting into the vicious manners and practices of the 

Grecians in the days cf Pericles, without adopting their virtue, 

frankness, and honesty. Paris, London, and Xew York, are worse 

i:i their sexual morality to-day than were the people of ancient 

Athens, for the reason that while the practices of their citizens are no 

better, their professions ai'e, and the souls of husbands and wives are 

weighed down with deceit and hypocrisy. 

'While science and art are performing what in other days would have 
been regarded as miracles, in nearly all departments of life, the marriage 
systems of the world are just about what they were fully 500 b. c, 
and not so perfect, in fact, as that one which was inaugurated in the 
early history of the republic of Rome, when law had nothing to do with 
the marriage relation. Why is this ? I need hardly tell the intelligent 
reader It has somehow gotten into the heads of the people, that mar- 
riage is a divine institution, and consequently must not be meddled with. 
It is supposed by many unacquainted with the domestic history of the 
ancients, that our Saviour was the originator of our monogamic system of 
marriage. This error must be dispelled by a perusal of the History of 
Marriage given in this volume. The monogamic system was more strictly 
adhered to by the Romans two thousand five hundred years ago, and by 
the northern barbarians of Europe long before Christian teachers were 
admitted among them, than it has been by any peoples in Christendom. 

For want of time and space, I must beg to be excused from any lengthy 
theological discussion of this subject. The adage i: when doctors disagree," 
etc., is eminently applicable here. Still, I will not altogether dodge it% 



750 DEFECTS IN* MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 

Is marriage a divine institution ? If so, which of the various forms pre- 
sented in the preceding chapter ? Besides the Monogamic system, origin ate<i 
by the ancient Romans, TOO or 1000 b. c, and the Polygamic, which came 
down to us with the indorsement of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, at 
least one new system has sprung up which claims to be Christian — " Com- 
plex Marriage." Jesus of Nazareth did not marry, St. Paul was an old bachelor 
and decried marriage. We have seen what St. Jerome, one of the early 
Christian translators has said of it, calling it a tree that should be cut at the 
root, and we also find that the early Christian church regarded it simply as a 
-'' necessary evil,"' which should be disposed of as soon as practicable. Lastly, 
we have to-day five different sects, claiming to be Christian, wherein we find 
one prohibiting the marriage of the clergy (the Catholics) ; another holding 
to the Monogamic system for the clergy as well as the laity (the great body 
of Protestant Christians) ; another which believes that all the popular sys- 
tems of marriage encourage selfishness and vice, and present for a remedy 
what they call the Complex System, or what the outside world would call 
no marriage at all (the Communists) ; another which claims that Polygamy 
is the true relation, and that he who can present the most dazzling array 
of wives and children will be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven (the 
Mormons under Brigham Young) ; and finally, a sect which believes all 
sexual association, even for the purpose of procreation, sinful, marriage a 
sort of compromise with the devil, etc. (the Shakers). All these sects prove 
(or they think they do) the correctness of their position by the Old and New 
Testaments. But Christ did not command man to marry, or not to marry. 
YVhen questioned, he simply answered in a way to give people to under- 
stand: that they should live up faithfully to their contracts. "With his pure 
nature, he could not counsel fraud or a course of action calculated to lead 
to deception and violation of promises solemnly given. No one doubts 
that truth is divine, that every thing which partakes of deception, unfaith- 
fulness, and fraud, has its origin in evil ; consequently, when we voluntarily 
surrender certain individual liberties, with the understanding that the ono 
with whom we make this contract shall do the same, any clandestine or open 
violation of tho agreement is perfidy. Impressed with the conviction, that 
in this violation of good faith, women were " more often sinned against than 
sinning," our Saviour, when the woman was brought to him charged with 
adultery said, — "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a 
stone at her." He did not cruelly upbraid her, and make her feel that she 
had committed an unpardonable sin, one which merited the sneers of men 
and the reproaches of women. It is with a compound mixture of sadness, 
mirth, and contempt for hypocrisy, that one pictures in his imagination 
those men, rank with matrimonial perfidy, creeping out of the pure pres- 
ence of Jesus of Nazareth, and away from a sorrowful woman who could 



DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 751 

not hay© committed the offence with winch she was accused, without the 
aid of some man, every whit as good as they were, perhaps better, creeping 
out with bowed heads and crouching bodies, dropping hats and tumbling 
one over another ! For be it remembered, when he looked up he found 
they had all run away ! 

What evidence is there that any form of marriage has so received the 
Divine sanction, that it cannot be regulated, or changed if necessary, to 
promote the health and happiness of mankind ! In the early history of 
marriage we lind that a man simply frjok to himself a wife; no ceremony or 
public demonstration marked the event. In course of time, as if to make a 
woman feel the responsibility of her new position, and incite her to fidelity, 
the ''taking'' was celebrated by feasts. Finally, when a wife began to cost 
something, these festivities were mixed with more or less of the religious 
elements of those times, so that ivomcrn more than ever should realize the 
sacred obligation she had assumed. Time rolled on, and women doubtless 
would continue, in a slight measure, to imitate the infidelity of their hus- 
bands, so that the ancient Romans inaugurated the custom of employing 
priests to solemnize the nuptial ceremony. " We first find, " says Norton, 
4 priests performing the nuptial ceremony among the ancient Romans, and 
as the Christian religion was early introduced into Rome, from the pagan 
priests the Christian clergy, perhaps, borrowed the custom of celebrating 
marriages also. Soter, the fifteenth bishop, who occupied the chair of Saint 
Peter, from 16S to 1TG, was the first to make it obligatory upon the church- 
people to be married by a priest.*' The next step we find our sex taking to 
impress upon woman the sanctity of the institution, was the performance of 
t.e ceremony at the door of the church. Undoubtedly they would have 
chosen to go in, and make the ceremony altogether a religious one, had they 
not felt a little hesitation about so far committing themselves to the com- 
pact of marriage. On the church steps they felt, perhaps, that they could 
make a little mental reservation without perjury. We find in Brande's 
Antiquities, "the custom of marrying at the church door extended down to 
modern nations. Chaucer in his 'Wife of Bath,' alludes to it as follows : — 
• She was a worthy woman all her life, 
Husbands at the church door had she five/ 
"Until 1599, the custom continued in France, and until the time of Edward 
VL in England. Edward I. was married at the door of Canterbury Cathe- 
dral, September 9, 1299, to Margaret, sister of the king of France." 

It did not take so long however as the latter date indicates, for the last 
opaque device of men, to become transparent to women. The former finally 
found that nothing would answer, but to enter in and make the obligation 
sacredly binding on men and women alike. According to Du Cange, mar- 
riage was first celebrated in the churches in 122G. " It is said," remarks an 



752 DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 

essayist, "that Pope Innocent the III. was the first who ordained the cele- 
bration of marriage in the church, before Which it was totally a civil con- 
tract, whence arose dispensations, licenses, and other remnants of papal 
benefit. Shelford thought it came with the Council of Trent. The Council 
sat within the Bishopric of Trent, Germany, from the year 1545 to 1563." 
Although there is a little disagreement as to the exact year, the statement 
that it originated with Pope Innocent the III . is in harmony with the testi- 
mony of Du Cange. So what began with custom, ended at a later time 
with a rule instituted by the pope, and by the church. History does not 
tell us just when our sex became so hardened that they could thus sacredly 
pledge their fidelity and then without compunction violate that pledge; 
consecrate the promise in holy places and then disregard the promise, but 
the fact is, a large body of our sex, as far back as we can look into the 
past, have done it, and are still doing it. Though the institution of marriage 
is not divine, I repeat, Truth is, and compacts so solemnly entered into, have 
all the sacredness of an oath made with the Bible at the lips. If this fact 
were more forcibly impressed upon the minds of the people, more men and 
women would be faithful to their marriage vows than are found to be now, 
under the doctrine that marriage is a divine institution. The professed 
Christian now-a-days, loses sight of his sacred vows, when the marriage 
ceremony is celebrated, — half believes there is some mistake about the 
institution being divine, and when he stumbles into temptation and yields 
to it, he consoles himself with reflections upon the universal fallibility of 
mankind, and a sublime trust in the " scheme of redemption." The man 
of the world, when tempted, in combating in his own mind the popular 
idea that the institution is divine, also overlooks altogether the sacredness 
of his promise to the one who becomes his wife, and however high-mind- 
ed and honorable in his ordinary business transactions, does not for a 
moment accuse himself of rank dishonesty, when he violates the marriage 
compact. 

There are, therefore, two very weighty reasons why the popular mind 
should be disabused of the erroneous impression that any present marriage 
institution is of divine origin. First, because this impression puts the 
religious world at war with all attempts on the part of philanthropic physio- 
logists to improve the customs regulating the sexual association of men and 
women. Second, because common principles of honor are overshadowed 
by the prominence given to the supposed divinity of a prevailing marriage 
system, so much so as to be made invisible to thousands who regard their 
"word as good as their oath," and an oath too sacred to make perjury 
excusable under any circumstances. 

If a tree is to be judged by its fruits, it is hardly less than blasphemous 
to attribute any marriage system yet inverted to divine origin. Not one of 



DEMERITS OP POLYGAMY. 753 

them is perfect enough in its nature and results to be attributed to the 
Divine Mind. 

I will however pursue this question no further. Read the History of 
Marriage, and then when reading what Christ and the apostles said upon 
marriage and divorce, keep constantly in mind that it was mainly the exposi- 
tion of the then existing Roman and Jewish laws regarding those matters ; 
familiarity with those laws must lead to this conclusion in every intelligent 
mind. Adultery, however, being in nearly, if not all cases, a violation of 
good faith between the married couple, receives moral as well as legal con- 
demnation in the New Testament. 

Some one may good-naturedly whisper in my ear that — " what G-od has 
joined together man must not put asunder." I must laugh ; it is too comical 
for any thing ! Not the command, but the suggestion of it in this connec- 
tion. How many in any age of the world has God joined together? In 
early times men used to buy their wives ; in later times children were 
betrothed by their parents in some cases before they were born ; in all ages 
parental prejudice, money, expediency, and all sorts of unnatural influences, 
have prevented God from joining men and women together according to 
physiological law, which is His law, and consequently these joinings have 
been mainly man's work —not God's. If you can show me in all Nature any 
analogous botch- work, I may recede from this position. The truth is, man 
has been constantly violating this very command, because he has practically 
put asunder, or at least kept asunder, those whom God fitted to make life's 
journey happily together. "The world," remarks a sensible writer, u i9 
besotted with marriage, just as the South was by slavery ; in fact, it is just 
as common to hear marriage called a divine institution here, as it was before 
the war to hear slavery called a divine institution in New Orleans!" 

Demerits of Polygamy. 

One of these, and perhaps the greatest is the inequality which must 
necessarily exist between the sexes living under this system. It makes a 
kind of a king of the man, and servile subjects of the women composing its 
household. Secondly, if polygamy were to be universally adopted, the 
female element would be monopolized by the rich, so that the poor would 
have to practise polyandry, and patronize prostitution, or do without women 
altogether. Such was the result in early ages when this system of mar- 
riage was almost, if not quite universal; and the same evil might occur 
again if this system were forced upon the civilized world. It possesses 
other demerits which are equally chargeable against monogamy, and these 
may be observed and applied by the reader while perusing the next essay. 
I will not consume space with their exposition here. 
32* 



754 DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS, 

Demerits of Monogamy. 

It looks like cruelty for one to strike his parent ; the writer was born 
under the system of monogamy ; how can he summon the courage and 
ingratitude to level a blow at this venerated institution ? It is a painful 
task I must confess. So it is painful to tell a dear friend his faults, and it 
is still more harrowing to drag an erring father from the ditch, into which 
his inebriety has plunged him. But ftiere are duties which we must dis- 
charge, if we would be manly and look heavenward for applause. It is 
with feelings such as these I must exhibit some of the evils of monog- 
amy. 

1st. It leads to either selfish idolatry or to selfish indifference ; if not to 
these, then, what is worse, to matrimonial quarreling. The marriage of 
one man to one woman, if it indeed be a happy union, leads the wife to 
idolize her husband and the latter to idolize his wife. In all such unions 
the love is so exclusive that there is hardly a liking for good neighbors, 
and scarcely any love at all of God. The two are enrapt in mutual affec- 
tion, and live mainly for themselves, and within themselves. They are 
blind to the woes of those around them, and though they may profess 
Christianity, they do not live consistently with its spirit. They are content 
to leave unfortunate people without their gates to the care of old maids and 
widows. Then if the wife of such a union is taken away, the other forgets 
the great work assigned him by his Maker, and hesitates not to tell his 
friends, he has nothing to live for, and would gladly be buried with her. 
If the husband be stricken down, the widow envelops her body in gar- 
ments of black, secludes herself too long, perhaps forever, from her duties 
to the living, and though the one that is left may ultimately find consolation, 
he or she has failed to develop in the narrow atmosphere of the home, that 
broad generosity, which, when cultivated, places one in close sympathy with 
all the children of our Father. The beautiful, pathetic, and popular song 
"Do they miss me at home," breathes a spirit of selfishness, self-love, and 
idolatry, that vibrates harmoniously in the atmosphere of such a household 
as this. It also accords with the popular sentiment of the times, I will 
quote one verse : — 

" Do they set me a chair near the table 
When ev'ning's home pleasures are nigh, 
When the candles are lit in the parlor 
And the stars in the calm azure sky ? 
And when the ' good-nights are repeated 
And all lay them down to their sleep, 
Do they think of the absent, and waft me 
A whispered good-night while they weep ?** 

This is certainly delightful food for vanity, but is it the natural sentiment 
of generous and unalloyed affection? If we entertain for any one 



DEMERITS OF MONOGAMY. 755 

unselfish affection, will we not be happier to know that that person is 
happy ? 'Would it not make us feel miserable to suspect that that person 
is wretched, even though that wretchedness be caused by our absence? 
It is impossible for us to love aay one truly, unselfishly, and generously, 
without feeling happier to know that that one is happy. 

The foregoing pictures one of the idolatrous kind of marriages. If the 
union be of that milk-and-water kind which develops no attraction between 
the pair, you will almost invariably find them seeking separately individual 
pleasure, often at the cost of the happiness of others. Each one lives for 
him and herself, and having little true enjoyment at home, too much time 
is devoted to nursing the "blues," to reflections upon real or imaginary 
matrimonial ills, or the seeking of pleasure, not easily found, away from 
home. They seldom have contentment, and are consequently never in 
spirit prepared for the practical and humanitarian duties of life. 

The union of incompatible natures leads to discord, and overlooking in 
this place the effect upon offspring, the bickerings of such a couple not only 
ruin their own dispositions, but often make themselves felt upon the peace 
of mind of their more fortunate neighbors. Everybody stands in awe of a 
matrimonial fracas ! The cat on the hearth involuntarily raises her back in 
sympathy with the belligerents ! Of course they feel under no moral con- 
straint to be faithful to their marriage vow, yet, jealousy and idolatry some- 
times spasmodically exist in this kind of mating. I recollect reading some- 
where of one instance of a husband in New York during a religious revival 
becoming jealous of his wife's love for Christ, and so great was his insane 
rage he blasphemously exclaimed that he would avenge the wrong if he 
could get hold of him. But as he could not do this, he being a devil car- 
nate, instead of incarnate, he turned his wife from his door forever ! 

2d. It practically leads to a disregard of Nature's institutes, on the part of 
a very large class, embracing children above the age of puberty, but under 
the age for marriage ; men who cannot afford to marry ; women who are 
not sought in marriage ; husbands with infirm wives ; wives with impotent 
husbands ; widows and widowers. Perfect physical health and mental con- 
tent and cheerfulness are not, nor can they be, possessed by those who do 
not live naturally. To live naturally, is not simply to eat and drink to a 
temperate extent, but in all respects to moderately indulge all the natural 
appetites. The rule of abstinence applied to any one of them is hurtful, 
and if, like many other violations of the laws of life, the injury is not suffi- 
ciently immediate to be traced to its true cause, depend upon it, it will 
nevertheless sometime make itself felt. It is our duty to guard equally 
against abstinence and excess, and if the latter be more prevalent in one 
sex, the former is no less so in the other, owing to the inequalities of our 
sociai regulations. For a more extended treatise od this subject read the 



756 DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 

essay — "Influence of the Sexual Organs on Health," commencing on 
page 616. 

One word more about widows: Under the monogamic system, a widow, 
unless left with property, is not only bowed down with grief in consequence 
of the loss of her husband, but her mind is overburdened with anxiety and 
care, because her staff is taken away from her. Society has made her a 
cipher without a man, and, by the death of one man, she is reduced to that 
cipher. If alone, and her strong masculine competitors will give her a 
chance, she may make out to earn her subsistence, but if trammeled with 
the care of a growing family, or if her hands are bound to the helpless body 
of an infant, her load is more than one poor mortal can carry, and many a 
heart like this has been crushed beneath the commercial juggernaut that 
rolls out. with only selfish hands to guide it, from the world's great marts. 
The river of her joys is frozen; its crust is broken; and as on the ice cake 
she floats down the stream of life, she encounters the spoken, more than the 
heart, sympathy of the world. 

3d. It leads to selfishness. My wife — my husband — leads to my house — 
my children — and finally to my loaf of bread, and a beggar at the door. The 
man's interests are at that instant separated from those of his fellow-beings, 
and from the moment he assumes these relations, if husband and wife pull 
together — and they do in property manners usually — the main efforts of 
the two people are directed to filling their own laps at the expense, if 
necessary, of starving mouths around them, open like so many bills of hun- 
gry robins, and the scant crumbs that are dropped into these famishing 
lips, are not in any wise generous enough to enable these two people to 
creep under their sheets at night, with the happy consciousness of having 
complied with the golden rule. Nor can they be justly blamed for it. They 
must do as they do in self-defence. They are surrounded by separate 
families each working blindly for itself. The most generous people in the 
world grow less generous after marriage; this is axiomatic; and conse- 
quently, this relation, instead of enlarging the human soul, shrinks it 
away, and the old man looking out from under his time-whitened brows 
watches jealously the rising world about him lest all that he have be filched 
from his grasp, leaving him to die in indigency, or, it fail to descend undi- 
minished to his posterity. Perhaps his children have formed matrimonial 
associations, and if so of course outside of the family, with divers families ; 
then there is found a new crop of couples, each pair mainly engrossed with 
its own aggrandizement and happiness. Next usually follow the wars of 
mothers-in-law with their sons-in-law, etc., with the prospect of a grand 
family tempest for the spoils at the decease of the old people. Now, reader, is 
this picture overdrawn? Is it not the rule, rather than the exception? 
I wish you might prove me to be in error, but with all the pride of family^ 



DEMERITS OF MONOGAMY. 757 

universally entertained, leading people to conceal these disgraceful quarrels 
if possible, we encounter them everywhere. The records of probate courts 
and of surrogates teem with them. 

4th. It interferes arbitrarily with woman's God-given right to maternity. 
Many women unsuited to become wives; many more who are never prof- 
fered marriage ; still others — too few — who have declined the offers of those 
they could not love ; childless widows, arid the wives of sterile husbands, 
no matter how great may be their love of offspring, must, if the monogamic 
rule una the social custom it maintains be observed, g-o through life with- 
out once using the reproductive function with which their Creator hag 
endowed them. Here man's rule conflicts glaringly with the edict our 
Great Ruler has indelibly stamped upon our very being; He has implanted 
within woman an irrepressible desire for offspring, but he has not befooled 
her, by keeping from her the organs which are capable of receiving a germ and 
developing a child. He has created man with organs capable of producing the 
necessary germ, and, if the story in Genesis is accepted, he commanded unre- 
servedly men and women to increase and multiply. But the immoral spectacle 
presented to-day is, — many an unnatural or disappointed woman in marriage 
is destroying the baby in her womb, and many a high-minded woman, out of 
marriage, is almost distracted, because she cannot have at least one child. 
Tou men who are handling gold in Wall Street, and the thousands 
absorbed in the world's business, and you women whose unsympathetic 
hearts do not draw out the secrets of your wretched sisters, may question 
this : cr. rather, while not unaware of the former, you may question the 
truth of the latter. But, friends, only yesterday a middle-aged woman in 
my presence, not a weak-minded one, nor yet what the world calls " strong 
minded/' but an accomplished representative of her sex, wept in view of the 
fact that she might never have a child. Personally she was not incapable, 
at least there was no reason to think so, but as she had passed the mar- 
riageable age sbe was oppressed with the idea that she might go through 
life without once experiencing the happiness of becoming a mother. If 
this was the only case, I would not intrude this radical paragraph upon 
the attention of the reader. I have been told this by women passing or 
passed the usual age for matrimony many times, and some of them, 
approaching that age when maternity is impossible, have appeared almost 
frantic with disappointment and sorrow. I am personally acquainted with 
some who have had what the world would regard as attractive offers, and 
who dare not marry or do not care to, and yet feel that they can hardly 
endure the idea of going through life without at least one child to be a 
friend and companion — an earth-object to love in the cold, selfish world 
moving about them — when their parents shall be called away from earth. 
If so many cases of this kind come to the knowledge of the writer, ^u^- 



758 DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 

assure you most solemnly I am telling you the truth, how many thousands 
there must be in our country alone, how many millions in all Christendom, 
where monogamy is ostensibly the rule ! The suffering heart is not apt to 
reveal so great a secret ; it is only trusted to a friend who is known to 
possess a liberal and sympathetic mind ; how many, then, of those who are 
moving among us may have this desire locked up securely in a swelling 
heart concealed from everybody ; nay, if possible, hidden from themselves ; 
and how many millions more rest beneath the sod, who in life entertained 
this same heaven-born passion, but died without the sympathy and gentle 
hands of children to soothe them in their expiring moments. 

According to the American Museum of 178*7, a woman by the name of 
Miss Polly Baker, was prosecuted before a court of judicature in the former 
staid old State of Connecticut for the fifth time for having illegitimate chil- 
dren, and it will be interesting in this connection to append her defence, as 
it is a document of no inconsiderable merit, and may be regarded as an 
admirable vindication of her natural right to bear children. 

"May it please the honorable bench," remarked the heroic Miss Baker, 
" to indulge me in a few words. I am a poor, unhappy woman, who have 
no money to fee lawyers to plead for me, being hard put to it to get a tolera- 
ble living. I shall not trouble your Honors with long speeches, nor have I 
the presumption to expect that you may by any means be prevailed on to 
deviato in your sentence from law, in my favor. All that I humbly hope is 
that your Honors will charitably move the Governor's goodness in my behalf, 
that my line may be remitted. This is the fifth time, gentlemen, that I 
have been dragged before your court on the same account : twice I have 
paid heavy fines, and twice have been brought to public punishment for 
want of money to pay these fines. This may have been agreeable to the 
laws, and I don't dispute it; but since laws are sometimes unreasonable in 
themselves, and therefore repealed, and others bear too hard on the subjects 
in particular cases, therefore there is left a power somewhere to dispense 
with the execution of them. I take the liberty to say that I think this law, 
by which I am punished, is both unreasonable in itself and particularly 
severe with regard to me, who have always lived an unoffending life in the 
neighborhood where I was born, and I defy my enemies ( if I have any) to 
say I ever wronged man, woman, or child. 

li Abstracted from the law, I cannot conceive (may it please your Honors) 
what the nature of my offence is. I have brought five fine children into the 
world, at the risk of my life. I have maintained them well by my own 
industry, without burdening the township, and would have done it better, 
if it had not been for the heavy charges and fines I have paid. Can it be a 
crime ( in the nature of things, I mean) to add to the number of the king's 
subjects, in a new country that really wants people ? I own it, I should 



DEMERITS OE MONOGAMY. 759 

think it a praiseworthy, rather than a punishable action. I have debauched 
no other woman's husband, nor enticed any youth. These things I never 
was charged with; nor has any one the least cause of complaint against 
me ; unless, perhaps, the Minister or Justice, because I have had children 
without being married, by which they have missed a wedding fee. Bub 
can this be a fault of mine ? — I appeal to your Honors. You are pleased to 
allow I don't want sense ; but I must be stupefied to the last degree, not to 
prefer the honorable state of wedlock, to the condition I ha\e lived in. I 
always was. and still am, willing to enter into it ; and doubt not my behaving 
well in it. having all the industry, fertility, and skill in economy, appertain- 
ing to a good wife's character. I defy any person to say I ever refused an 
offer of that sort. On the contrary, I readily consented to the only proposal 
of marriage that ever was made to me, which was when I was a virgin ; but 
too easily confiding in the person's sincerity that made it, I unhappily lost 
my own honor, by trusting to his ; for he got me with child, and then for- 
sook me. That very person you all know; he is now become a magistrate 
of this county: and I had hopes that he would have appeared this day on 
the bench, and endeavored to moderate the court in my favor. Then I 
should have scorned to mention it : but I must now complain of it as unjust 
and unequal, that my betrayer and undoer, the first cause of all my faults 
and miscarriages ( if they must be deemed such), should be advanced to 
honor and power in that government which punishes my misfortunes with 
stripes and infamy ! 

••I shall be told, 'tis like, that were there no assembly in this case, the 
precepts of religion are violated by my transgressions. If mine is a religious 
offence, leave it to religious punishments. You have already excluded me 
from the comforts of your church communion : is not that sufficient ? You 
believe I have offended Heaven, and must suffer eternal fire : will not that 
be sufficient ? TThat need is there, then, of your additional fines and whip- 
ping ? I own, I do not think as you do : for if I thought what you call a 
sin was really such, I would not presumptuously commit it. But how can 
it be believed that Heaven is angry at my having children, when to the 
little done by me toward it, G-od has been pleased to add his divine skill 
and admirable workmanship in the formation of their bodies, and crowned 
it by furnishing them with rational and immortal souls ? 

"Forgive me, gentlemen, if I talk a little extravagantly on these matters. 
I am no divine ; but if you, gentlemen, must bo making laws, do not turn 
natural and useful actions into crimes, by your prohibitions. But take into 
your wise consideration the great and growing number of bachelors in the 
country: many of whom, from the mean fear of the expenses of a family, 
have never sincerely and honorably courted a woman in their lives ; and 
by their manner of living, leave unproduced ( which is little better than 



760 DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 

murder) hundreds of their posterity to the thousandth generation. Is not 
this a greater offence against the public good than mine ? Compel them, 
then, by law, either to marry or to pay double the fine of fornication every 
year. What shall poor young women do, whom custom hath forbid to 
solicit the men, and who cannot force themselves upon husbands, when the 
laws take no pains to provide them any — and yet severely punish them if 
they do their duty without them ; — the duty of the first great command of 
Nature, and of Nature's God — increase and multiply ! — a duty from the 
steady performance of which nothing has been able to deter me ; but for its 
sake I have hazarded the loss of the public esteem, and have frequently 
endured public disgrace; and therefore ought, in my humble opinion instead 
of a whipping to have a statue erected to my memory." 

It is said that this "judicious address influenced the court to dispense 
with her punishment, and induced one of the judges to marry her the next 
day;" and, adds the same account, " she ever afterward supported an 
irreproachable character and had fifteen children by her husband." A word 
or two more, and I will conclude what I have to say under the fourth criti- 
cism. It is, to say the least, terribly unjust to woman, that she may not 
resort to the only means God has provided for her to have children, for 
this praiseworthy purpose, when her heart is set upon offspring, while 
prostitution for men's amative gratification is actually licensed in many 
countries, tolerated with no effort to suppress it in nearly all large cities, 
and. too, when the masculine rake is not excluded from good society ! To 
a woman who has no opportunity to marry wisely, a son would be of more 
value to her than to the woman who has a kind husband to be her com- 
panion, protector, and support, especially when custom forbids woman to go 
anywhere without a masculine attendant; and a daughter, if this must 
unfortunately for the latter be the sex of the child, would at least be a 
companion, which a married woman could more easily live without, than 
she whom the world contemptuously calls an old maid. This attraction 
might draw about her some society in her old age, which would make itself 
agreeable to her, if for no higher motive than the obtaining of her consent 
when the daughter's hand is sought in marriage. 

5th. It often holds together for a life-time the parents of continually dying 
progeny ! What ? Yes ; it keeps in the bonds of wedlock in a large number 
of instances persons of such similar physical temperaments, that their chil- 
dren die in the womb, in infancy, or in advanced childhood, and the mother 
is ever clad in weeds of mourning I Whenever you see parents, fruitful but 
childless, constantly bearing and as constantly losing children by death; 
when you see parents of whom it is said — they had a pretty family but they 
have lost them all—there is some natural reason why those husbands and wives 
should not remain together. Differently associated, they might become the 



DEMERITS OF MONOGAMY 761 

parents of viable children. Without the restraints of monogamic marriage^ 
woman would not allow herself to become pregnant the secoad time by a 
man whose germ united with hers could produce only a short-lived child, 

6th. It overlooks the daily demonstrated fact, that a married couple 
may grow apart. Marriage contracted under the most auspicious circum- 
stances between an intelligent man and considerate woman, who do not act 
hastily or misjudge their adaptation to each other, may in one, five, ten, or 
at the outside twenty years, becon.e a hateful yoke, which sours the 
temper, and perhaps ruins the character of one or both of them. Every- 
body admits there can be no true love where there is not respect. This 
being an admitted truth, look for a moment at how many ways this sense 
of respect may be justly forfeited. A girl possessing all the popular 
accomplishments, and, what are better, health and moral and intellectual 
grace, marries a young man of promise, — the favorite son of one of the 
11 first families,'' — himself a pattern of propriety, honesty, morality, may be 
religion — the pet of the neighborhood, and a prize for the lucky young 
woman who wins him. As he has never encountered great temptations, no 
one can tell whethe: this young man's good character is made of pewter or 
steel. It may be the veriest putty. As time rolls on he may become a 
victim to rum ; if drink offers no temptation, he may become more devoted 
to tobacco than v ,o his family; if neither of these vices tempt him, he may 
become an indclent, improvident husband ; or, a coarse, profane man. That 
sweet disposition, under business perplexity, may prove to have been the 
cream of an easy life, which the lightest cares may change to buttermilk ; 
nay, it is not impossible, as marked illustrations in domestic life demon- 
strate, that he may become heartless and cruel. Xow, why should this 
young woman be doomed to stem life's current with this sinking companion ? 
Reverse the picture, so far as it may be made to apply, and why with every 
quality to enable him to appreciate happy domestic fife, should he be forever 
tied to the body of this shrew ? One of the punishments of the middle ages 
was to tie the prisoner to the carcass of a dead animal, and there allow him 
to remain until he perished by the corrupt emanations cf the decomposing 
animal. Do we not occasionally find in married life a victim, similarly 
situated to the subject upon whom the punishment just described was 
formerly inflicted. 

Albeit, there is another kind of growing apart, which the world does not 
so much observe, or if it does it w r ould not consider of sufficient importance 
to propose relief. A husband may possess a mind not satisfied to run in 
one rut, or to make no progress. He has a taste for science and the attain- 
ment of knowledge; she has not. and has no higher aspiration than to 
personally see to the immediate necessities of the family. Or, reverse the 
illustration. The man is satisfied to know only the driveling matters 



762 DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 

appertaining to trade; if a farmer, he is satisfied to talk only of crops, 
cattle, and hens ; if a merchant, only the rise and fall of the market, the 
quality of his merchandise and the length of his tape. The wife mean- 
while aspires to learn all she can, not of novels, but of nature, and of works 
calculated to enrich the mind, and, in brief, of every source within her 
reach. She thinks, perhaps writes, for the edification of others. Now is it 
at all unnatural that the progressive companion should little by little lose 
respect for the belittling qualities of the other ? Then can love exist with 
what finally develops into contempt, though the latter may not be unmixed 
with heartfelt pity ? Just look how these people chafe each other con- 
tinually. Can any good come of this domestic friction which chips away 
as fine as iron filings the good temper and better qualities each possess ? 

Another class still must be named here, which the world thinks made a 
mistake at the beginning. I refer to those whose temperaments change in 
some instances by accountable and in others unaccountable causes. I mean 
in their physical temperaments. , As will be seen in various places in this 
volume, the writer considers temperamental adaptation essential to happi- 
ness in marriage. Nor is he alone in this opinion, for it has been and is 
entertained by some of the ablest physiologists that ever lived. No couple 
in entering marriage, can with proper regard to the law of adaptation, be 
positively certain that their temperaments will always remain just what they 
are. The encephalic temperament may be developed by study, or by other 
brain labor ; the lymphatic may be induced by an easy and luxurious life, 
or by what is entirely without the control of the individual — inherited pre- 
disposition. Suppose a man occupied in a counting-room or in the labors of 
a profession, marries a young woman whose weight will not exceed one 
hundred pounds. The man's pursuits will have a tendency to develop the 
encephalic temperament ; may quite possibly do so. Then supposing the 
young woman as she advances acquires the lymphatic development, reach- 
ing perhaps a weight of one hundred and fifty or possibly many more 
pounds. These two persons have practically grown apart, for the union of 
the encephalic with a lymphatic temperament, is incompatible, and so offensive 
to nature that a curse is pronounced upon it ; the children of the violators 
of this physiological law shall die in their infancy or childhood ! In this 
fact will often be found the secret of some parents losing their latter crop 
of children, while the first-born exhibit considerable vital tenacity. The 
same curse which rests upon these unfortunate people in child-bearing 
extends to their domestic enjoyments. In some cases temperamental 
growth apart, leads to personal aversion to each other. 

A similar result is encountered when a person of lymphatic tempera- 
ment marries a person of sanguine, or bilious temperament, if there be a 
hidden germ of one of the non- vital temperaments. At the outset the law 



DEMERITS OF MONOGAMY. 763 

of adaptation has been properly observed ; but supposing the hidden germ 
referred to develops, adding a decided lymphatic element, so that, in 
course of time, the two, to use a popular expression, become a "fat and jolly 
couple ; " you shall usually find that the jolly is all on the outside, and that 
their internal life is not so smooth as their fully distended skins. Unless 
the bilious or sanguine is possessed by one or the other to a considerable 
degree, their incompatibility shall place its blighting fingers not only on 
their domestic bliss, but on their health, and on the life of their offspring. 
In the animal kingdom, below man, undoubtedly the same changes take 
place, so far as temperamental adaptability is concerned, but they instinct- 
ively change their mates — the birds, I believe, once a year, or, in other 
words, every time they are about to raise a family. 

With this sixth criticism I will close my argument in the case. There 
are other faults our popular marriage-system presents which might be 
given, but the foregoing will suffice. There is also one which, in the 
present condition of society, may be suggested, but not urged. It may be 
stated for the mental digestion of good and intelligent people, but the time 
has not yet come when it may be safely pressed upon the great mass of 
mankiud. In society where the monogamic marriage system prevails, the 
physician engaged in a national practice like mine, and who may be con- 
sulted by letter, or in person, by people who may never meet him again, 
and who would not intrust such secrets to home physicians, encounters 
swarms of impotent men, and a still greater number of sexually apathetic 
women. The causes of these infirmities may, in many instances, be ascribed 
to disease, bad habits, etc., which have been treated of in their proper 
places. But may not the cause, in many more, be ascribed to the generally 
recognized law — " that variation of stimulus is necessary to preserve the tone 
and health of any organ of sense, and that prolonged application of the same 
stimulus exhausts it ? " And further, may not matrimonial infidelity, instan- 
ces of which are constantly breaking out on the eruptive skin of fashiona- 
ble life, and now and then coming to the surface of the smooth cuticle of 
rural society, result from the restlessness of repressed nature under the dis- 
regard of this law? Needle-women may save the strength of their vision 
by not confining their work too constantly upon cloth of one color. A con- 
stant writer need not contract that form of paralysis called " steel-pen dis- 
ease," if he will use pens of a variety of metal; or, in other words, change 
from one kind to another. There cannot be a particle of doubt that the 
disease is induced by too constant contact of the fingers with one metal. Some 
may not be aware that there is such an affection as steel-pen disease ; many 
cases of it have been presented to my notice for treatment. The sense of 
smelling is made sick or paralyzed by an irritation with one odor, however 
agreeable when not too long applied. The sense of hearing is not impaired 



764 DEFECTS IN MARRIAGE SYSTEMS. 

by loud, variable noises, but under the constant din of monotonous soumd. 
The sense of taste becomes sated if only one article of food is used for a 
long time, and unless a person subsisting upon it is engaged in manual labor 
^hich causes great physical waste, loss of appetite will be an inevitable 
penalty. Frictionize the ends of your fingers for a long time on any one 
thing, and they will become numb, and I have no doubt that if the hands 
should be exclusively employed in handling some one material they would 
become paralyzed. 

Perhaps for reasons of fickleness and discontentment, which the human 
family ought to overcome, the mind, too, is dissatisfied, if not disgusted, 
with monotony. "Whether natural or because of evil adulterations, every- 
body is seeking change — change of air, change of food, etc. We are no 
less delighted with new things in our adult age than we were in childhood. 
Men and women have their playthings as well as boys and girls, and they 
are almost as constantly changing them. Here, then, is another secret 
which assists in accounting for the irrepressible tendency of mankind, as 
exhibited in all ages, to break down any arbitrary regulations which society 
has imposed for governing the sexes in their conjugal relations. 

Now, dear reader, I have presented for your perusal a very radical (do 
you say presumptuous ?) chapter, haven't I? Well, God knows my heart, 
that I do not want to injure the moral well-being of any of you. " Fools 
venture in, where angels fear to tread,'' and it maybe that I am one of that 
unfortunate class first named. But I have felt impelled by moral convictions, 
no less than humanitarian considerations, to throw this bombshell into the 
very heart of our present rotten social system, and I trust, if it be ill-timed 
or unwise, that some good may sometime come of it 



CHAPTEE YL 




THE REMEDY. 

pVERYBODY is painfully conscious of the existence of 
evil — evil which must be rooted out before the human 
family can settle down to a condition of peace and 
enjoyment. A majority of the Christian world ascribe 
all of our afflictions to the "Fall of Adam." Another 
large class tell us, that the race is only in its infancy, and that 
the evils we encounter are the results of our ignorance, and that 
this ignorance is to be gradually dispelled by the light of science 
and the advance of art. By them it is supposed we are just 
emerging from the darkness of night: the rays of knowledge are 
but just shooting up behind the distant hills in the east. Prac- 
tically it is immaterial which is right, so far as the social question is 
concerned: because, while the former should put their shoulders to the 
wheel and work faithfully for the realization of the millennium so long 
promised, the latter must fulfill the expectations of the world's people 
who are looking forward with enthusiastic hope for the "G-ood time 
coming." 

It may be inferred by many from the title of this chapter that I am 
going to prescribe a panacea, or a kind of one " cure-all," for all the evils 
presented in the preceding chapter. I shall have to disappoint the hopes 
of all who are thus sanguine. May be an interrogation point, rather than a 
period, should have been placed after our heading. In Part IV. will be 
found many suggestions for the improvement of monogamic marriage, which, 
if heeded,! am confident would make things a little better. But to effect 
what is necessary both of the old marriage-systems must be pulled to pieces 
and a new order of things established, and until this is done, and it must be 
the work of religion, ingenuity, and time, it would be well not only to con- 
tinue monogamy, but to tolerate polygamy, and even to encourage the new 
system of i; Complex Marriage" as practised by the religious, industrious 
and thrifty communities at Oneida and Wallingford. In making this sug- 
gestion, I presume I shall shock the sensibilities of some readers. There 
is an educated prejudice against polygamy, especially, which has consider- 
able root in truth, and a great deal in bigotry. The newspaper press 



766 THE KEMEDY. 

catering to this prejudice, visits Mormon polygamy with the most sweeping 
denunciation. To my personal knowledge, many of these articles are writ- 
ten by men who personally hold to different opinions than those which 
they publish. In the literary world writing is regarded as a business from 
which to acquire a subsistence, if not wealth. And you cannot always 
judge of the personal proclivities of the newspaper-writer by his edi- 
torials. It pays at this juncture to denounce without qualification Mormon 
polygamy, and for this reason mainly it is done. 

By looking over the results of the Complex Marriage System as presented 
in another place (see page Tl9), it will be observed that to all external 
appearances, it is working well on a small scale, and that it has already 
stood the test of a score of years. So long as there are some good people 
ready to hazard their temporal happiness in a new social experiment, when 
the old ones are so defective, the least we can do is to let them alone so 
long as they do not disturb the public peace. No one can say that the 
State of New York has suffered any moral deterioration in consequence of its 
toleration of the Oneida Community. On the contrary, monogamic society 
immediately surrounding it seems to have been benefited by its presence. 
That attractive writer "Jenny June," paid a visit to the Community, and 
wrote a letter to the " New York World" in which she spoke of the Com- 
munists as follows: — 

"This visit was not one of mere curiosity. Advancing civilization is 
developing new forms of social evil, to remedy which everybody has a 
theory. The Oneida Communists have in certain ways proved themselves 
a great success. They excel in the arts and manufactures to which they 
have devoted themselves; they have established a high character for just 
dealing, probity, and honor. They have lived down prejudice in their own neigh- 
borhood and enriched the surrounding country by utilizing labor, teaching the 
small farmers how to turn their land into fruit-farms, cultivate them profitably, 
and supplying them with a market. We had furnished our table for two 
years with their canned fruit and vegetables, and wished to see with our 
own eyes if this was the only £Ood to come out of this Nazareth. 

"Reformers have not a reputation for much aesthetic taste, and with this 
impression, and the memory of a visit once paid to the North American 
Phalanx, brought vividly back to my mind, I confess I was astonished at 
the extent and beauty of the domain we saw spread out before us. The 
main building is a very spacious and imposing structure of brick, with 
white-stone facings. The walls are, many of them, covered luxuriantly 
with the Madeira vine, with its brilliant blossoms, and the extensive grounds 
are laid out with the taste, and kept in the perfect order of the most admir- 
able private residence." 

It Strikes me to be sound oolicy to let this new system grow side by side 



THE REMEDY- 767 

with monogamy and polygamy, and if it shall Bhow greater products of 
religion, morality, industry, individual progress, and happiness, take good 
care of the young shoot, and it may be that in the distant future the old 
worm-eaten and rotten-rooted tree — monogamy, and the black old stump — 
polygamy, may be dug out altogether. Henry Ward Beecher, though he 
may not second a motion like this, has said that man is higher than insti- 
tutions. u T?ie SdbbaiJi was made for man and not man for the Sabbath! 11 
"That sentence," remarks Mr. Beecher, " is passed upon every usage, cus- 
tom, law, government, church, or institution. Man is higher than them all. 
Not one of them but may be changed, broken, or put away, if the good of 
any man require it. Only, it must be his higher good, his virtue, his man- 
hood, his purity and truth, his life and progress, and not his mere capri- 
cious material interests." 

What I am dealing with every one who has read the preceding chapter 
must see appertains to something more than the " mere capricious material 
i uteres is," of the human family. When, then, so good a man as Mr. 
Beecher says, that under certain circumstances old institutions however sacred 
may be laid aside, certainly a doctor of medicine may propose the same thing, 
when in his opinion there is a world full of sick people, who need something 
to elevate them above the reach of physical disease and moral pollution. 

There are many merits — possibly many demerits — in the "Complex Mar- 
riage System," as presented to us by the Oneida Community. Prominent 
among the former are, — it overcomes the disparity existing in our popular 
system of marriage between the pubescent age of demand and the marriageable 
age of supply ; it overcomes the evil of incompatible parentage, for when there 
is no restraint, attraction takes place only between those of such opposite 
natures or conditions as to insure viable offspring; it promotes a higher 
standard of average health in the Community, because the free interchange 
of magnetic forces among a great number, if the health-element predomi- 
nates, raises the weak without perceptibly depressing the strong; and, if 
my notion respecting the creation of magnetism, by the union of male and 
female magnetism, be correct, an immense amount of new life force is gen- 
crated under their Complex Marriage System ; it provides against the utter 
breaking up of a family by the death of a parent, as often occurs in our 
system of marriage; it provides for the training of children by those who 
are especially adapted to this family function, thereby preventing society 
from being overrun with spoiled children, who, in adult age, are no less 
spoiled men and women ; it unites the business faculties of one person to 
the intellectual faculties of another, and brings all these to the direction of 
strong muscle which in return supplies what the former are incapable by 
themselves of producing, so that the strong help the weak, and the 
weak help the strong, and no one suffers for bread. If its general 



768 THE REMEDY. 

adoption is possible, and it should really become universal, prosti- 
tution would die a natural death, needing no aid from law or the 
prison. In its social aspects, it possesses all the advantages arising 
from associated labor, and makes selfishness unremunerative. As 
the reader reflects on the multitudinous evils growing out of the old 
systems, he will see in this new one something which, in most instances 
may serve as a remedy. It may be possible that " Complex Marriage," as 
practised by only a few hundreds of people on this continent, is prophetic 
of an advanced condition of society, when the whole human family will be 
united in one marriage ; when, practically, the kingdom of God will have 
come, and our Maker's will on earth be done as it is done in heaven, in 
answer to the supplication of Christians from the moment the " Lord's 
Prayer " was put into their mouth by Jesus of Nazareth, down to the 
present time; and in answer to the heart's desire of all good people in or 
out of the church, who really believe that a time will come when peace, 
happiness, and fraternal love shall spread their genial influence over the 
whole face of our planet. In drawing this closing picture, do not under- 
stand me to say that " Complex Marriage " will effect all this. I am speak- 
ing of a comparatively untried system, and because it is untried I feel dis- 
posed to encourage rather than persecute those who are disposed to test its 
capabilities or possibilities. If the old systems were perfect, or if there 
were any reasonable prospect that they may ever be made so, we might 
afford to be less tolerant; although, if there is one lesson to be learned 
more than another in this world, to maintain tranquillity and promote 
fraternal affection, that lesson is, toleration in individual action and opinion. 
As remarked before, we should tolerate Mormon polygamy. It cannot, 
in this enlightened age, absorb the female element to such an extent as to 
produce female scarcity, as oriental polygamy did in the early age of the 
world. At present, the tendency all over the world is to an excess of 
females at adult age. "The tendency of a dense population," remarks a 
newspaper writer, urging the necessity of making women self-supporting, 
"is to make the female sex preponderate, and we must find something to do 
with the surplus of women. If we look at foreign countries, we see that 
under the age of fifteen the males exceed the females ; but that beyond fif- 
teen the females preponderate, and so on until ninety. In sixteen foreign 
nations this holds good. In England, the ratio of females to males is as 
three to two ; while in France, where the people are longer-lived than any 
other European nation, it is even greater. When we get up to the gray- 
haired era of life, we find in France, between 50 and GO, a female excess 
of 81,526; between CO and 70 it becomes 186,4*71; between 10 and 80, 
68,295; and over 80, 32,081. Of course these figures do not apply to the 
United States. In Massachusetts the women are nearly twenty thousand in 



THE REMEDY. jQQ 

excess, while in Connecticut they are 6,114, and the same ratio runs through 
New Hampshire and Rhode Island. In Vermont and Maine, the men are 
in surplus: while Xew York shows 5,23-4 more women than men, to be 
accounted for by the crowded condition of New York City, which alone 
shows nearly twenty thousand in excess. "While the open countries have a 
preponderance of men, in some territories as much as twenty to one, it is 
shown that the tendency of the female sex is to outnumber the other. As 
we grow in civilization, we must, therefore, expect this to take place ; and 
it is proper that we should meet the problem now, and so decide it that we 
may have no trouble in the future/' 

From the foregoing figures it will be seen we can stand considerable 
polygamy, without making a scarcity of women. In this country there is 
not a particle of danger that this old marriage-system, if tolerated, would 
absorb the female element to any great degree. American women are as a 
rule too smart to marry a man whose social and religious belief would allow 
him to take a plurality of wives ; and fewer still would marry one who had 
already a dozen hanging at his elbows, wig. and coat-tail. If you find one 
now and then, who would rather thus marry and have a piece of a husband, 
than to go through life without any. no obstacle should be interposed to 
prevent this choice ; if there be a poor girl here and there, who would 
rather than make shirts for a pittance, receive a fraction of affection and 
comfortable support, your interference may send her to a more demoralizing 
school than the hearth of a Mormon elder; polygamy is better than 
prostitution. If there be any one who would rather marry a fraction of a 
man. than to go through life childless, it is a choice which does not concern 
us. It is none of our business. She may find that happiness in the 
possession of an affectionate child, and of companion-wives to relieve her 
of the conjugal drudgery of matrimony, that she could neither find in single 
life or monogamy. The educated prejudice in the minds of the people 
against polygamy, if called in question, is satisfied to defend itself in mis- 
representation and denunciation, which amounts to nothing when you 
arrive at ibe "hard pan" beneath the dregs. There is a valid objection to 
polygamy: it enslaves woman. But it hardly looks well in us who so 
recently tolerated and even defended with Bible in hand involuntary servitude, 
to furiously oppose this species of voluntary slavery. I must confess I have 
no very great sympathy for a woman, who, without compulsion, enters and 
becomes a part of a polygamous family. Still, while doing nothing to pre- 
vent her from going in, I would advise the enactment of such legal regula- 
tions, as would open the door for her to go out when she found the relation 
an oppressive one. A safety-valve of this kind is not an impossibility. So 
far as the effects of polygamy upon our national welfare are concerned, 
there is nothing yet to show that they are damaging. The Mormons have 
33 



770 ^ HB REMEDY. 

never hurt us, save in our imaginations. True, we have struck at them 
once or twice, and they have employed sufficient force to resist the blow. 
But we can hardly strike at any body of people on this continent who have 
not the pluck to resist. We do not grow cowards on American soil. As 
to their material prosperity, the Round Table, commenting on these people, 
and a book about them, remarks: — 

"We are thus driven by the inexorable logic of facts to admit the 
possibility that, given certain natural conditions — the conditions of area, 
physical requisitions, and non-interference from without, which are precisely 
those which have attended our own national life — a society may thrive, 
progress, increase, accumulate all the material essentials of modern civiliza^ 
tion under a system which in every leading characteristic is diametrically 
opposite to our own. "We are forced to acknowledge that neither social nor 
political equality, neither universal suffrage nor enforced monogamy, are in- 
dispensable prerequisites to the diffusion of education, the enjoyment of 
happiness, or even to the solidity of the State. Relatively speaking, the 
Mormons have done in the enumerated particulars as much in their thirty 
years as the collective nation has achieved in its ninety; and, abstractly 
considered, we have no more right to predict the failure of their system 
from internal causes than that of the republic itself. So far as comparison 
between their chief city and our own in respect of cleanliness, order, 
temperance, thrift, and judicious expenditure may go, we are certainly at a 
disadvantage ; and it cannot be denied that if there be an explanation of so 
intricate a problem which can save the credit of our own usages, and vitiate 
the force of the Saints' example, it is certainly not an obvious one." 

Many suppose that polygamy is prohibited by the New Testament : but 
such was not the opinion of Martin Luther, and the synod of six reformers 
who were called upon to decide the question in a certain case. They held, 
gays Nichols, " that the gospels nowhere in express terms commanded 
monogamy, and that polygamy had been practised by the highest dignitaries 
of the church." The same writer remarks, — "if the sayings of Christ are 
doubtful or mystical, those of the apostles are sufficiently clear. Monogamy 
is clearly required of bishops, deacons, and elders of the church ; but not 
of laymen. Polygamy continued in the Christian Church until a compara- 
tively recent period, and was allowed by Luther and the Fathers of the 
Protestant Reformation, as it also is to this day, under certain circum- 
stances, by our Boards of Foreign Missions." 

In a state of civilization like ours, some legai measures for the regulation 
of the intercourse of the sexes are necessary for the maintenance of peace 
and good order, and to insure the support of child-bearing women, and the 
products of their womb, at the age of helplessness. But every liberty 
should exist not inconsistent with this, and the moral and physical health 



THE REMEDY. 



771 



of the individual. A woman should not be allowed, if there can be created 
any power to restrain her, to cohabit with men for money or its equivalent. 
It is a direct violation of moral and physical law. It degrades, and in time 
destroys her moral instincts, and the habitual and excessive use of her 
sexual organs for such an unnatural purpose, generates and disseminates 
loathsome diseases. But why, in prescribing marriage, should one system 
be forced upon such a variety of people, any more than one religion? The 

Fig. 172. 




CLOTIIE9 OF ONE SIZE AND PATTERN FOR THE MILLION. 



majority of mankind believe b one God, but with this one faith there are 
Protestant and Catholic Christians, Jews, Mohammedans, etc. There are 
millions of people who accept Jesus Christ as the Divine Son of God and 
the Saviour of mankind. Accepting this faith, but materially differing in 
creed, are Episcopalians, Presbyterians. Baptists, Disciples, Methodists, 
Catholics, Universalists, etc. All maDkind. with the exception of a few 
ascetics, must, in view of physiological teaching, acknowledge the necessity 



772 THE REMEDY. 

of sexual association for the health and happiness of the race ; but does it 
follow that all should be compelled to accept one system for the regulation 
of this association? Suppose for a moment a large factory should be 
established at the seat of government to make clothing for all the people of 
both sexes in the United States, and that one pattern be provided from 
which all these clothes shall be made. How do you suppose the garments 
would fit people who differ as much in bodily conformation as they do in 
opinion, taste, affection, and appetite, and vice versa. The annexed illus- 
tration gives an adequate picture of the absurdity of such a measure. I 
can almost imagine that hens and chickens would peer through the pickets, 
and horses and jackasses put their heads over the tops of them, and laugh 
with one resounding ha I ha! 

Especially should courts of law keep out of families, and families out of 
courts of law, if any way can be invented to manage these things otherwise^ 
The ancient Romans were never so orderly in their materiage relations, as 
when they kept law out of the family. If the reader has perused the "His- 
tory of Marriage, " he will remember that at that time, when no divorces 
were said to have taken place for a period of five hundred years, those 
people thought the family hearth was too sacred for public tribunals. They 
did not think that "legislation should touch the independence of the family, 
nor confine by legal restraints the ties which natural affection had formed." 
They pursued in their affectionate relations the even tenor of their way, 
and if tfliey encountered difficulties a family tribunal could not settle, the 
censor was called in, and this officer acted on no rules of law, but simply on 
principles of equity as he understood them. Under this arrangement, as 
Rome swallowed up one nation after another, she took in those in which 
polygamy was practised, and it is a favorable commentary upon her system 
as it then existed, that her sexual morality did not show any marked indica- 
tions of breaking down until they began to adopt Greek law for the govern- 
ance of the family. 

Rome, in her most orderly days, had a censor. "We can hardly have one, 
for his prerogatives are too imperial to suit the advanced republican senti- 
ment of our times; nor do we need precisely such an officer. But it seems 
to me we may learn from the experience of those who have gone before us, 
something of what we do want in the establishment of an office whose 
functions would not be inimical to the ideas of our liberty-loving people. 
We have now a Secretary of State, who takes charge of all matters relating 
to our intercourse with foreign nations ; a Secretary of the Treasury, who 
manages our national finances; Secretary of War, etc.. etc., each performing 
the duties pertaining to the portfolio of which he has charge. We want a 
Secretary of Marriage, whose duties it shall be to investigate the various 
systems of marriage which may have been practised from the earliest period 



TETE HEMEDY. 773 

— study impartially their effects upon the peoples living under them — make 
annual reports of the same for the enlightenment of present generations, in 
order that they may profit by the experience of the human family in past 
ages ; this report to be accompanied with such recommendations as may be 
thought best calculated to contribute to the happiness and moral and physical 
improvement of the people. This public functionary should be the central 
and guiding power of the various local boards recommended in the chapter 
commencing upon page 830, and in him should be vested the final power to 
decide all matters coming up from the local boards, wherein injustice may 
be alleged to have been done to any individual. Monogamy, complex 
marriage, and polygamy should be tolerated expressly by national consent, 
and it should be the duty of the local boards and this national officer to see 
that no one of these institutions exercises tyrannical control over any indi- 
vidual, or even restraint beyond what may be regarded as necessary for the 
peace and good order of society, and the moral and physical health of genera- 
tions present and those to follow. As fast as science reveals them, the laws 
governing propagation should be thoroughly disseminated through these 
channels — thrown broadcast over the whole country, like the speeches of 
our members of Congress — and if, as is believed by all intelligent physiolo- 
gists, the moral, the mental, and physical condition of parents at the moment 
of conception, is impressed upon the human being that is to be, this informa- 
tion should be so diffusively scattered as to find lodgment in every hamlet 
in our great and constantly expanding nation, and in no way can this be so 
effectually done, as by a national bureau established expressly to regulate 
marriage and procreation. "We have at Washington a Commissioner of 
Agriculture, who scatters information and approved seeds to the agricultural 
people of the country, and it just may be that a human being is of as much 
consequence as a "big potato." The trial of such a plan as I have pro- 
posed, is of course, an experiment : but it can hardly be regarded as a 
dangerous one. "History," remarks a newspaper writer, " is only a record 
of national experiments. They are going on now in Russia, in England, in 
Mexico, and in all South America. A nation that does not try experiments 
is not merely bone-broken but dead and decaying." 

Now, reader. I have presented an outline of some of the reforms which 
are manifestly necessary for the improvement of the health and happiness 
ef the people under the restraints of marriage. Tou will doubtless, many 
of you, demur to the proposition to make laws that will expressly tolerate 
complex marriage and polygamy, but are not either or both in their most 
unfavorable aspects better than prostitution ? Whatever may be the ulti- 
mate destiny of our race, people are not nowadays all run in one mould. 
Some men are by nature as it were polygamists — other men and women are 
omnigamists in their tastes and passions, while we affect to believe that 



774 THE KEMEDY, 

nearly all women and a majority of men in our country are satisfied with 
monogamic marriage. Or, if you like, put it in this shape. We have 
to-day living in one civilization and under the parental care of one govern- 
ment, those who in their natures are little above the barbarian; those 
who are considerably advanced beyond this stage; those of middling 
intelligence ; those belonging to still a little higher sphere ; and finally 
we have those who are gifted with moral and intellectual endowments 
which challenge our admiration. And then — shall I say it — even among 
this last class you shall find polygamists and omnigamists (or free- 
lovers) as well as monogamists. "We have among our Christian mission- 
aries the example of toleration in respect to polygamic marriage. They 
find that many of the people among whom they are laboring cannot 
be restrained from having a plurality of wives, and consequently, — and I 
think very wisely, — they let the marriage question alone. If those people 
are heathen, we have any number of them among us ; and you need not go 
to Utah, nay, you need not leave the limits of Manhattan Island, to find 
them. Many of them achieve what the world calls greatness, and when 
they die long obituaries extol their virtues. Some of those who are casting 
stones at the Mormons would break their own windows if they leveled 
their missiles at the nearest domiciles wherein polygamy is practised. The 
Mormons, indeed, are better than this class of assailants, for they do not 
morally degrade their women. But you may ask, "Why legalize polyg- 
amy?" Simply that women may better be the wives than the mistresses of 
men ; better the slaves of the respectable — possibly the religious — polygamic 
household, than the traffickers in lust in the dens of harlotry. One of the 
early Christian emperors offered rewards to those who would marry their 
concubines. It is vain to say that you will yet banish the mistress, or 
that you will blot out prostitution. The religious world has been working 
at it most vehemently, and with an army of strong men and strong women, 
for at least five hundred years, and Christianity has been pitted against it 
for nearly nineteen hundred years ; and to use the language of a western 
orator — " Where are we now; where are we driftin' to?" 

As for " Complex Marriage," as remarked before, let it run along side by 
side with other marriage institutions, and we can then determine if it is 
better or worse than the older systems. The polygamic system is nearly 
as old as the world, and the monogamic system is at least two thousand 
five hundred years old, and the society-makers certainly have not yet 
attained any very gratifying results in their efforts at perfecting the 
morality, health, and happiness of the people living under them. We need, 
I repeat again, the inventive and progressive spirit of the age directed to 
the discovery of means whereby the human family may be wholesomely 
governed in their sexual relations, so governed, indeed, that nature's insti« 



THE REMEDY. 



775 



tutes and individual rights, may not be disregarded, while all that relates 
to the moral and religious well-being of every individual, may be made still 
more perceptibly operative. Under the auspices of a national bureau, 
devoted to the investigation of this great social problem, prizes might well 
be offered for the best theses on the subject. When any thing is proposed 
that looks right and feasible, if there be found those willing to go on to 
some unimproved lands and make the experiment, let them do so, followed 
with our prayers, instead of our denunciations. If a dozen social experi- 
ments were being made at this moment on our almost limitless territory, 
they could hardly affect those who would prefer to adhere to monogamy ; 
and that form of society which time and trial should prove to possess the 
greater merit, would, and by right should, ultimately become the prevail- 
ing one. Galileo whispered to himself when compelled on bended knee 
to recant. — " The world does move." Who will have the courage to-day to 
shout on tho hcuse-tops. Let it move / 




TURKISH WOMEN. 







CHAPTER VII. 

SEXUAL IMMORALITY. 

S sexual morality, even among nations nominally the most 
Christian, a prevalent virtue ? If so, where is the moral 
oasis ? It is not in our great cities ; they are as destitute 
of it as were the cities of Rome and Athens in the "Au- 
gustan Age," when legal penalties without measure failed 
to restrain the illicit sexual practices of the people. It is not 
in our villages, where there is always enough scandal based on fact, 
for the villagers to keep up an incessant talking at their tea- tables 
and sewing-circles ; nor does it present itself conspicuously in rural 
districts, where one might expect surely to find it, for apropos to 
the application of some people to the city doctors for that great myth 
and humbug, " Love Powder," come others, for something to destroy the pas- 
sions of some unprincipled lover, who has succeeded in getting the fair name 
of some woman, single or married, so in his keeping, thafrshe dare not leave off 
amours unwisely commenced. In addition to these, come the pitiful appeals 
of young women living in small as well as large neighborhoods, for some- 
thing to save their name from the disgrace which awaits them, in a system 
of society where the masculine rake is the admitted guest of the respectable 
family, and the mother of a bastard the horrid creature that can scarcely 
be tolerated under the shelter of her parental roof. These letters have often 
drawn tears to my eyes, for while the trembling hands that penned them, 
importuned with the most touching eloquence for relief; neither pecuniary 
compensation, nor the deepest and most heartfelt sympathy could induce me 
to extend the criminal aid so frantically sought. It may be asked why I 
have been appealed to for relief in such cases. I can solemnly assure 
my readers that it is not because anybody has ever had relief of this 
nature at my hands. It is considerably over ten years since I first com- 
menced the publication of this work, and as I have ever in its pages, and 
its revisions, espoused the cause of women, I am naturally made their confi- 
dant in the hour of trouble, and most gladly would I have lifted the 
wretchedness from the breaking hearts of those who have been plunged into 
misery through the treachery of bad men, or the terrible mistakes of those 
otherwise good, had I not ever entertained the greatest abhorrence to this 



THE CAUSES. 777 

crime against natural and moral law. And let me state here— lest I may 
forget to do so in some more appropriate place — it has not been my custom 
in the past, nor will it be in the future, to lend my professional assistance 
in any case of this description ; and those who fall into trouble of this kind, 
will greatly spare my time and mental tranquillity by not presenting cases 
which my resolutions prevent me from touching. And, furthermore, as I 
always tell this class of unfortunates, if they are bent on such desperate 
measures, they do not want a novce to help them out. Xo one wants to 
be the subject of an experiment, or the material to be sacrificed in tho 
hands of an apprentice. Therefore do not ask me. Forgive the digression. 
VTe will return to the consideration of the subject of our chapter, sexual im- 
morality, and first examine 

The Causes, 

Having, with facts in hand, possessed by comparatively few in or out of the 
profession, charged both country and city with sexual immorality, the next 
step will be to inquire into the causes. What are they? It is my deliberate 
opinion, that one of the greatest causes is tho inadaptation of our- popular 
marriage-system to the natural wants of the people. It would almost be 
repetition for me in this place to argue this proposition after what I have 
said in several places in this Part. I would refer the interested reader to 
the essay on the influence of the sexual organs on health, and to the 
chapter on the -Defects of Marriage." 

It is also my serious opinion, that a cause almost as potent as the fore- 
going, is. that the sexual morality generally preached to us is mainly based 
upon a false idea, one so in conflict with Xature, that many do not at heart 
believe i:, and those who do, excuse its violation by themselves, with the 
collection that human nature is imperfect and that God is gracious. Tho 
popular idea is this: that sexual intercourse in itself is sinful in all cases unless 
hallowed 'by marriage. This idea is mainly based upon the supposed divine 
origin of marriage, which fallacy I hare attempted to overthrow in a pre- 
vious chapter. But it is difficult to se6 how this opinion could have beer 
derived from Scripture. I have not the time nor inclination to gc into anj 
extended Sc riptural argument on this point, for the doctors of divinity them- 
selves disagiee in regard tc it, and a doctor of medicine may look grotesque 
if he intrudes in this discussion with a physiological work instead of a 
Bible in hand. But I must say a little something from recollection of what 
is presented in tho Good Book, Unless the commandment, communicated 
through Moses — " Thou shalt not commit adultery " — appertains simply to 
the enforcement of honor in man's civil relations, it is difficult to under- 
stand it in the light of Hebrew history, for not only did Abraham and Isaac, 
who were in personal communication with Jehovah, have connection, wita 
33* 



778 SEXUAL IMMORALITY. 

their wives* maids without reproof, but after the above commandment was 
given, the great Hebrew lawgivers, including David, "the man after God's 
own heart," and " Solomon the wise," had concubines, the latter seven 
hundred 1 Then, too, if this idea be correct, it seems like a most mischiev- 
ous example that was claimed to have been set by our Creator when, as 
alleged by Moses, He commanded him to distribute among his people those 
female Midianites, over thirty thousand, to be their wives and concubines, 
for by so doing, both the men and their concubines- were to render them- 
selves impure and immoral, by sexual connection, without marriage. But 
not only was this example tolerated as not inconsistent with religion, but 
there is nothing to show that even the promiscuity of the early patriarchs 
when confined to the healthy women of the household caused disease ; it is 
said that the Mormons who practise polygamy are exempt from venereal 
affections. If sexual promiscuity is not unhealthful for men, there is no 
reason to believe it is so for women who do not violate physical law and 
moral instincts by selling their favors to men, thereby scourging the flesh 
with disagreeable companionship, disgusting excesses, and putrefying 
uncleanliness. "We find this fact sustained by the experience of the Oneida 
Community. No venereal affections have been generated by their sexual 
practices, and as it is shown by the testimony of a physician who visited 
them, there are no external physical indications of uterine disease among 
the females of the Community. Hence, I cannot receive myself, nor do I 
wish to assist in disseminating the idea, that sexual intercourse is wrong 
in itself, unhallowed by marriage ; nor is it best to attempt to deceive our- 
selves with the idea that even promiscuity when induced by actual attraction, 
and not by "filthy lucre," is unhealthful. "We must have a better basis for 
sexual morality than either of these fallacious dogmas, one of which has 
little controlling power over even the Christian world, because of the 
generally received opinion that there is no possibility of attaining to human 
perfection, and the other, little if any over the world's people, because it does 
not accord with the results of their unrestrained experience. 

Over 400 years B. c. the philosophies of Pythagoras and Plato, gave rise to 
the idea, that the body with its passions was essentially evil, and that virtue 
consisted in its purification from their taint. Saint Paul seems to have been 
considerably saturated with this pagan notion, and the Romish Church 
accepted it ; nor did it get filtered out of the doctrine of the church during 
the era of clerical licentiousness which followed its adoption, nor yet during 
the sifting the Romish Church received at the hands of Luther and the 
early reformers; although even their personal habits were inimical to it. 
Calvin and the Puritan Fathers gave it new germinal life in the Protestant 
Church, and it ripened upon the soil of Old New England ( whom we 
love with all her faults) until in Connecticut, at one time, it was considered 



THE CAUSES. 779 

sinful for a man to kiss his wife on Sunday. The idea took such root 
i*n the minds of many of the Christian Fathers, that they did not believe in 
the purity of sexual intercourse when sanctified by marriage. Strange 
examples were presented in those days of wives living virgin lives, and of 
nusbands leaving their wives to avoid what they considered an impure con- 
nection. By some of these extremists it was considered to have been the 
original sin and there were more practical shakers in those days than there 
are at this time, surrounded as they were by the most open licentiousness 
among the clergy and in the church. It may have been the natural and 
inevitable rebound from the prevailing immoralities of a declining empire. 
But bear in mind it was a Pagan and not a Christian idea. "What we call 
platonic love originated, in name, with Plato — a Pagan philosopher — who 
was born 430 b. c. The early Papal Church presented the greatest dogmatic 
cluster, and the least show of example in reviving and giving perpetuity to the 
notion. At first it tried to prevent the intercourse of the sexes, and even 
marriage altogether; but at last it settled down to the position of enforcing 
celibacy on the priesthood ; of encouraging it among women by the estab- 
Gshment of nunneries wherein marriage is prohibited ; and of permitting 
marriage among the balance of her church-people for the one purpose of 
reproduction. If the sentiment, unnatural as it is, had succeeded in estab- 
lishing a code of sexual morality which actually controlled the amative 
impulses of mankind, it would be far from my wish to expose its fallacy, 
especially if the present condition of things, then absent, could be even 
faintly pictured to my imagination. While saying this, however, I can 
hardly imagine a condition of person or society wherein truth fairly pre- 
sented may not havo a more moralizing influence than falsehood or error, 
based upon supposed expediency. If there ever was a time when little 
children could only be frightened to obedience by bear-stories, and grown 
up children by a threatened burning with sulphur, that time, in my humble 
opinion, has, happily for the dignity of mankind, passed. It may have 
been necessary, but I do not believe it, for Father Hardouin to tell the 
people of the seventeenth century, "that the rotation of the earth was 
caused by the lost souls trying to escape from the lire that is at the centre 
of the globe, climbing in consequence on the inner crust of the earth, 
which, he said, was the wall of hell, by which the whole was made to revolve 
like the wheel of a squirrel's cage by the rapid climbing of the animal!" 
The people in tins century are as rapidly outgrowing superstitions, as our 
boys are outgrowing their clothes, and we must have a religious literature 
suited to the advanced condition of the race. In the matter under consider- 
ation it is almost if not quite impossible to deceive mankind, for man and 
woman have his and her own personal experience, and this experience is 
antagonistic to the celibate or ascetic idea, unless God's law and Nature's law 



780 SEXUAL IMMORALITY. 

are in direct conflict, which no sensible people of this age are read? to 

admit. 

The Cure. 

The work first to be considered, but not first to be accomplished, because 
the ingenuity aad wisdom of many generations may perhaps be taxed for its 
successful completion, is a system of civilization or of marriage which will 
satisfy the natural wants of mankind with all its diversified tastes and 
harmless passions. This having been suggested in the chapter entitled 
"The Remedy," I will pass it over here and come to something which is 
this moment practicable. 

Confucius, the demigod of the Chinese, enunciated, over two thousand 
years ago, this silver rule: "Do not unto others what you would not have 
them do to you." Jesus of Nazareth, about five hundred years after Confu- 
cius, proclaimed this golden rule : " Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would 
that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." The first counsels you 
to inflict no injury upon your neighbor, and the last, more comprehensive 
than the first, commands that you shall not only do your neighbor no harm, 
but that you shall do him good, even to the extent that you would have good 
done to you. If the world's people, or even those who accept the religion 
of the New Testament, are disposed to doubt, whether, in our present civil- 
ization ( so much the worse for civilization), the golden rule cannot be lived 
up to faithfully by the few, when utterly disregarded by the many, without 
bringing to starved martyrs early and cheap tombstones, the silver rule of 
Confucius may be practised by as many as will adopt it, without incurring 
the hazard of being literally devoured by those who do not. And one fact 
is self-evident, «. e., that the human family never can be a "happy family," 
till at least the silver one is obeyed. Even the Hebrews, two thou- 
sand years ago, professed to five according to the silver rule of Confucius, 
and the Christian world, for over eighteen hundred years, has aspired 
to live up to the golden rule given by Christ. It is sickening, however, for 
those who have the good of mankind at heart, to see how far short of 
even the first rule, the majority of people have ever come, and especially in 
their sexual relations; while it is only by a strict observance of it that a 
remedy can presently be found for the existing evil. But to make it avail- 
able here, we must understand the social compact under which everybody 
lives in the civilized world. 

In the original formation of society, and the development of what we are 
pleased to call civilization, — the demarcation of boundaries of individual 
possessions ; the definition of proprietary rights-; the establishment of rules 
for mutual government ; to the end that peace and prosperity might prevail 
among those entering upon this new order of things, — certain individual 



THE CTJRE. ^81 

liberties were surrendered and obligations assumed — not only by those who 
originated this system of society, bat by all afterward, who being born in 
it or entering it, should claim its protection. At the outset, women as well 
as estates were considered the property of the men who possessed them. 
Fathers owned their daughters, and husbands owned their wives. 
As time rolled on, and man learned to respect a little more the rights and 
happiness of woman, marriage became, at least ostensibly, a mutual bond, 
and my husband signified as much of a proprietary interest as my icife once 
did. In polygamic marriage, the husband became pledged to fidelity to his 
wives, as the latter aforetime were to fidelity to him. In monogamic mar- 
riage, the husband and wife took the pledge of mutual fidelity. And, in the 
complex marriage system of the Oneida Community, in pursuance of this 
same rule handed down from earlier civilization, the male and female 
members are under mutual obligations to restrict their sexual liberties 
wholly to those constituting their family. This society, with all the 
freedom they have estaolishe-" among themselves, would denounce it as 
sinful, for any member, male or female, at home or absent, to cohabit with 
those not belonging to their circle. This formation of family boundaries, 
and assumption, by those entering marriage, of certain well-understood 
conjugal duties, early led very naturally to the social proscription of men 
and women — (though in fact only the latter) — who should have sexual 
connection without the license obtained by marriage. Even among the 
Greeks, chastity was required of their native women. Only foreigners were 
allowed to be courtesans. The sentiment gained strength as civilization 
advanced, until women came to be regarded as infamous who violated the 
rules marriage had established. It therefore devolved upon fathers and 
brothers, for the protection of daughters and sisters, to inaugurate a moral 
code which should be mutually respected ; and the obligation assumed 
amounted practically to this: " TTe desire to maintain the chastity and 
social respectability of our unmarried females, and for this purpose we 
mutually pledge ourselves to abstain from all carnal connection with those 
who are not united with us in wedlock, " and from the moment this under- 
standing was first entered into, to the present time, most people in 
Christendom have lived professedly in compliance with it. If I could say 
actually, instead of professedly, much of the social wretchedness which is 
encountered on every side would have been avoided. Prostitution would 
not exist; young women "loving not wisely but too well," would not be 
driven from their parents' door freighted with illegitimate offspring ; practical 
concubinage, under the guise of the "mistress," with the social ostracism 
of the female victim, would not be presented to our view, so unblushingly, 
by men of wealth, who put down scandal and obtain respectability with 
the "almighty dollar.' ' 



782 SEXUAL IMMORALITY. 

There is, perhaps, nothing more demoralizing in our social life, than the 
example of men who guard with jealous eye and revolver in hand their 
marriage-bed — who growl like a dog over his delectable bone, when men of 
easy virtue approach their wives or daughters, while other people's wives 
and other people's daughters are regarded by them as only so many cattle 
turned into the common for them to feed upon. They suckle this milk, and 
feast on this flesh, without apparently thinking for one moment, that they 
thereby morally forfeit that protection of their own families, which is 
derived from the social compact, originated and professedly maintained in 
the way described. Nor can a court of justice do a greater act of injustice 
than to acquit the husband who enters its portals with the blood of 
vengeance on his hands, and the stain of the adulterer indelibly impressed 
on his character. The toleration of that kind of selfishness which makes 
all things right for me, and the same things wrong for my neighbor ; the 
greediness which regards the whole world as made simply for the gratifi- 
cation of self, without regard to the happiness and rights cf others, presents 
our planet to the higher order of existences which may be viewing it, as 
simply a great cheese, loaded with skippers, climbing one upon another, and 
tumbling down in their frantic efforts to individually get the best, and enjoy 
the most. 

From the foregoing it would appear, that one cf the boards which should 
enter into the platform of a true sexual morality, is respect for those mutual, 
social obligations which all men assume, who demand of society the protec- 
tion of the chastity of their wives and daughters. Another plank may be cut 
out of what I have already said in the chapter upon the " Demerits of Mar- 
riage," in regard to mutual obligations assumed, practically under oath, 
by those who make vows of fidelity before the minister or magistrate on 
entering wedlock. Men and women who make these promises to each 
other so sacredly, and who, upon the witness stand, would not swear to a 
falsehood, are bound as if by oath to fidelity to each other. "Aristotle," 
remarks Lecky, " had clearly asserted the duty of husbands to observe 
in marriage the same fidelity as they expected from their wives, and at a 
later period both Plutarch and Seneca enforced it in the strongest and most 
unequivocal manner. The degree to which, in theory at least, it won its 
way into Eoman life, is shown by its recognition as a legal maxim by 
Ulpian, and by its appearance in a formal judgment of Antonius Pius, who, 
while issuing, at the request of a husband, a condemnation for adultery 
against a guilty wife, appended to it this remarkable condition : ' Provided 
always, it is established, that by your life you gave her an example of fidel- 
ity I' It would be injustice that a husband should exact a fidelity he does 
not himself keep.' ; Under some circumstances, the husband and wife may 
doubtless mutually release each other from this bond ; or the bond may be 



THF CURE. 783 

forfeited by the unjust cruelty or infidelity of one of the parties thereto ; 
Otherwise marriage would be practically indissoluble ; but, without consent 
or forfeiture, it is clearly perjury to disregard this vow. 

Another plank remains to be added to the platform of sexual morality. 
It is not only inconsistent with the higher rule given us by Jesus, but with 
the less rigid one given us by Confucius, and the very lightest one at all com- 
patible with human happiness, for any man to insinuate himself into the 
affections of a woman, and, under the freedom allowed him by her confi- 
dence, arouse her passionate nature, and then take advantage of this species 
of intoxication to induce her to do that which, in her returning sober 
moments, brings the tear of remorse and a burning sense of disgrace. This 
Is not only a wanton disregard of the rule, " Do not unto others what you 
would not have them do to you," but is rank deception. You made this 
woman believe you loved her, or you could not have succeeded in your 
efforts ; when if you really did entertain affection for her, you would not 
risk her happiness by any such impulsive proceeding. It is only the natural 
desire of the human mind to make happy those we love. The happiness of 
such persons is linked with our own, and their miseries fall like icy dew 
upon our spirits. Then do not profess love for one you have made thus 
wantonly wretched. You do not love her. You deserve the terrible name 
which modern society has made for you. You are a libertine ! 

Here let me digress in defence of the much-abused class contemptuously 
called '• Free Lovers." In my search for facts and conclusions in regard to 
social matters, it has often happened, that I have encountered those who 
believe our marriage system so defective, that it should be overthrown, 
and that the affections and the exercise of them should not be restrained by 
legal enactments. Those people are confounded in the popular mind with 
those unprincipled creatures who are known by the names of libertines and 
-i loose women." But not one of them that I have met deserves thus to be 
classified. There may be libertines, and there may be loose women, who 
claim to belong to the ranks of those who believe in a social revolution, that 
shall elevate the morals and emancipate the affections of the human family : 
but I have not been so unfortunate as to run against any of them. I am 
satisfied, too, that the men and women who have earned the popular epithet 
— Free Lovers — at least the great body of them — in their sexual practices, 
do respect the opinions and the educated prejudices which surround them. 
Men of this class do not persuade thoughtless and indiscreet young women 
— nor accomplish their ruin in the delirium of passion ; nor yet do they 
shake the tree of marriage, if it can be charged that they take the fruit 
that falls through some blasting cause. The women of this class do 
not entice youth; they do not exchange their favors for gold or finery; 
nor do they seek to bear away the masculine prizes other women have 



784 SEXUAL IMMORALITY. 

obtained, if it can be charged that they gather up prizes that have been 
dropped by the wayside, through some natural or acquired incompatibility. 
Hence, there is a distinction with a difference. 

We will return to the platform of true sexual morality. We thought the 
planks were all in. We have omitted a very important one : no man has 
a right to persuade a woman, when her compliance will lessen his respect 
for her, or her respect for herself. If you respect her less, you have 
degraded her in your estimation, and must believe that she has done 
wrong, and you have no right to be accessory to that wrong. If you 
know that she respects herself less, then, too, you must admit she has com- 
mitted a crime against her conscience, and you have been accessory to it. 
Again, you have no right to persuade a man's wife to do that which you 
would not have your own wife do ; you have no right to entice your neigh- 
bor's daughter to do that which you would not have your own daughter 
do ; you hare no right to take those liberties with anybody's sister, which 
you would be unwilling to have taken with your own sister. This rule 
forms an additional plank which comes in where it properly belongs, (. e. t 
after the paragraph speaking of the dissenters from our present social sys- 
tem ; for I desire to have this platform of sexual morality broad enough for 
all sorts of people to meet thereon. I believe that it is now complete, and 
we will take each board, stripped of its braces and nails, and see what we 
have : — 

1st. The mutual pledge society offers, and men practically and morally 
take who claim its protection ; 2d. The vow of mutual fidelity sacredly made 
in entering marriage ; 3d. That humanity which leads one to respect the 
happiness of another ; 4th. That principle of honor and morality which 
deters a man from degrading a woman in his own estimation, or leading her 
to violate her moral sense, or leading a wife, daughter, or sister belonging to 
somebody #lse, to do that which you would not be willing that your wife, 
daughter, or sister should do. Let the unchristian world fasten these planks 
together with the silver rule of Confucius, and the Christian world with the 
golden rule of Jesus, and each hold to the platform as respectively fastened, 
and we may look, with a reasonable prospect of seeing a refreshing change 
in the wxuftl morals of the human family. 




CHAPTEE YIII. 

CONCLUSION OF PART THIRD. 

HE rapidly multiplying pages of this work, admonish 
me that I must bring Part 111. to a close. Many good 
people who have followed me thus far from the opening 
chapter, may feel more than ever discouraged as to 
the ultimate redemption of the human family from 
unnatural vice, selfishness, and unhappiness. Doubtless a very 
considerable number of readers were not aware, till now, that the 
experiment of monogamic marriage was so thoroughly tried by 
the ancient Romans long before the Christian era. In view of 
the facts supplied by history, and those presented in this volume, 
derived from the observation and professional experience of the 
writer ; many will say, and very truly, that we are simply living the past right 
over again. The founders of Rome were as austere as our Puritan fathers. 
They inaugurated a system of marriage which differed in no essential par- 
ticulars from that observed by our Puritan fathers. And their morals 
springing therefrom were no less rigid. The fact that a Roman senator 
was censured for kissing his wife in the presence of their daughter, was 
paralleled in Connecticut when it was considered sinful and made unlawful 
for a man to kis3 his wife on Sunday. The Romans, however, maintained 
the rigidity of their marriage system, five times longer than the age of our 
nation ; when, finally, the reaction came, and, following the reign of the 
Caesars, the corruption of the empire far outweighed the virtue of the 
republic. Our reaction is coming, unless averted in some sensible way, in 
an incomparably shorter period. — if, indeed, it be not already upon us. And 
are we to learn nothing from the past ? Aside from the political and other 
causes which mainly led t the downfall of the ancient republic, it is plainly 
manifest that there was a tremendous rebound from the unnaturally rigid 
sexual morality of the Roman fathers. This revolution was attempted to 
be controlled by Christianity upon the dawn of the Christian era, when 
again the opposite extreme was reached in precept, but not in practice. 
TVhen the church first adopted and tried to enforce the pagan idea, origin- 
ated by Pythagoras and Piato, that the passions should be subverted* and 



786 CONCLUSION OF PART THIRD. 

then, when it is so far progressed in this direction as to conclude that 
sexual intercourse was the original sin — the crime which caused the 
fall — the most strenuous efforts were made to break down, not only 
every system of marriage, but to suppress the amative passions of men 
and women. These efforts, instead of having their intended effect, were 
followed by the grossest excesses everywhere, so that the clergy were 
forbidden to visit the houses of single women and widows; and even 
the nunneries became the abodes of harlots. When the church gave up 
the attempt to control the laity, it hoped to succeed with the priest- 
hood, by concentrating its ascetic efforts upon it. But here it signally 
failed, and the open debauchery of priests was sufficient to attract the 
observation and denunciation of the civil authority. 

The rise of Protestantism and its license to its clergy to marry, and 
finally the benefits seen to arise from this measure, shamed the Roman 
priesthood into at least the outward appearance of virtue, and now the 
clergy of all denominations, including the Catholic as a body, preserve 
at least an exterior of respectability. The fact that those adopting the 
clerical profession are men upon whom all eyes are turned for emulation 
or criticism, renders it necessary that they maintain the utmost degree 
of circumspection. Besides the occasional illustrations publicly pre- 
sented to show that they do not always succeed in this, outside of their 
ranks, as already exhibited in various places, there are eruptions upon 
the social cuticle, which show that there is something wrong constitu- 
tionally. This wrong I believe to proceed from an attempt by moralists 
to avoid the recognition of the legitimacy and purity of the amative 
passion, and their refusal to provide for its complete and natural gratifi- 
cation. I have already repeatedly called attention to the disparity exist- 
ing between the demands of nature and the provisions made for them 
by society. Read the " Demerits of Marriage/' as presented in a pre- 
ceding chapter, and give the suggestions therein made a little reflection. 
Also give due consideration to the essay on the influence of the sexual 
organs on health, and do not omit to look over the essay on "Sexual 
Starvation." If, then, the reader agrees with the writer upon what 
nature requires, let him examine our marriage relations, and see how 
far short they fall of what is needed to make mankind honest, contented 
and virtuous. No objection can be made by any decent person to the 
enactment of the most rigid laws, and to the imposition of the heaviest 
penalties upon those who may be detected in the practice of unnatural 
vices, but all legal measures should carefully discriminate between these 
vices, and the natural gratification of an appetite which not only 
ministers to the physical health, good nature and happiness of mankind, 
but preserves our race from utter extinction. The Roman fathers 
made a mistake in trying to establish a rigid system of monogamy and 



CONCLUSION OF PART THIRD. 787 

their experiment ended in a revolution which subverted all principles of per- 
sonal honor, and extinguished all landmarks of sexual morality. So great 
was tiie power of public opinion, no legal measures were necessary to enforce 
the strictest monogamy the world ever saw, but when the reaction began, 
the most stringent laws and terrible penalties could not control the people, 
and it is probable that the intrusion of courts of law in the family acceler- 
ated the rebound. 

"While reading the proof-sheets of these pages, the writer finds, by an 
article in the New York World, that there is quite an unusual perturbation 
at this time in the public mind upon the marriage question. It seems " that 
the growing laxity of the marriage tie, and ease with winch divorces 
are now obtained in nearly every State in the Union, have called out on the 
one side such men as President "Woolsey to declaim against the dangers 
which threaten this social relation; and on the other side, there is," this 
writer alleges, "a regular school of writers and religionists who boldly 
announce their opposition to the marriage institution." He states that 
there is a large weekly journal in Chicago avowedly devoted to the aboli- 
tion of marriage and the substitution of the largest license, and that the 
contributors to this journal are generally women. He remarks, too, that 
there are any quantity of novels making their appearance in the "West, 
covering, with the thin disguise of the story, a pronounced advocacy of the 
free-love doctrine. ''The supporters of the new organ, and the new school 
of anti-marriage literature." continues this writer, "may be counted by the 
thousands at the West ; and at the East, even, Mrs. Stanton has written a 
pamphlet which more than insinuates that the existing laws relating to 
divorce are necessarily bad, because they are wholly framed by men." It 
may be added, that the newspapers are just now criticising a new work, 
claimed to be written by a Christian philanthropist, which defends polyg- 
amy on Christian principles. It hails from Boston, and, judging from the 
comments of the journals upon it, I should infer that the name of the writer 
is not given. Who is he ? Let him come out from his ambuscade. Let 
anybody who has any thing to say stand up boldly and proclaim it. The 
World writer exhibits some solicitude after giving his testimony. "The 
positive advance the new and dangerous doctrine is making, and the hold 
it is taking upon large masses of the people," he says, " is a matter of grave 
import to the future of this country, and," in his opinion, "the subject 
commends itself to the philosophers and preachers who are interested in 
Dur social progress. " 

It strikes me, that however radical may be the views expressed by the 
writers alluded to, they should be hailed as valuable contributions to social 
literature, and the objections of President Woolsey, and all others who 
oppose them, should also receive the consideration of all candid minds. It 



788 CONCLUSION OF PART THIRD. 

is quite time that the public should be thoroughly ayrakened to the con- 
sideration of one of the most important social questions of the day : and to 
get at the truth it is necessary that all sides should be heard. Let us have 
the facts of the past — the domestic photographs of the present — the written 
history of the dead — the personal experiences of the living, and then let us 
set ourselves at work for the establishment oi such regulations as may 
conform to the comfort, religion, and peace of generations present, with 
such self-adjusting measures as will enable them to shape themselves to 
the needs of generations to come, without necessitating frequent social 
revolutions. 

The proper course for us to pursue, as it seems to me, is to familiarize 
our minds thoroughly with physiology, and then reconcile marriage and 
religion to it. The Rev. A. P. Stanley, on resigning the professorship of 
Oxford, and becoming the Dean of Westminster, spoke truly, generously, 
and nobly, in what was said to be among the most striking pulpit discourses 
of modern times. He wished to bring about an alliance between science 
and religion, instead of watching defiantly the progress of the former. 
"Science, criticism, philosophy," remarked Mr. Stanley, "in their conver- 
gent forms stand before us ; but they stand before us in a new attitude. 
They are not hostile, as in the last century ; they are not contemptuous ; they 
are not scornful. They wish to be religious ; they want to be Christian ; 
they will be friendly if we will but regard them as friends ; they give us 
counsel, if we will but take it as counsel, instead of spurning it as an 
affront. It is for us to choose whether we will make the worst of all scien- 
tific inquiry or whether we will make the best of it, whether we will treat 
critical researches into the nature and authority and language and history 
of the sacred book as heretical, infidel, and unbelieving attacks ; or whether 
we will hail them, even when mistaken, as contributions to the one great 
aim in which we are all engaged, of a better knowledge of God's word 
and abetter understanding of God's will." 

The universal practical adoption of the suggestion of Mr. Stanley by the 
religious world, will be the most important step yet taken toward the 
establishment of true Christian religion. Let us find out by every avail- 
able means what nature teaches, as well as what the good book reveals to 
us, and then see if we cannot harmonize the developments of science and 
philosophy with the principles of true religion. 

With all the manifestations of human depravity, there is in the great 
body of intelligent men and women in every sphere of life an aspiration to 
do right, and an outspoken admiration of noble qualities. Even in the pit 
of the Bowery theatre, applause is never so great as when some victory of 
a supposed good over a supposed evil is strikingly pictured. If, then, wo 
strip our social customs, and civil statutes ; of that garbage which is in con- 



CONCLUSION OF PART THIRD. 789 

tfict with natural law, if we will break the hard outer shell of religion, and 
mix its spiritual meat with the clarified sugar of science, honor and virtue 
and religion will be sweet rather than bitter to the human taste, and like 
delectable lozenges advertised by an enterprising druggist. ,: children will 
cry for them V 

It is quite likely that some patrons, friends, and readers, will " cut " the 
author for his outspoken " Plain Talk/' To such he will say, he is not, 
nor has he ever been ambitious to become rich. He would not greatly 
enjoy the luxuries of wealth when so many are suffering around him for 
bread. Should he attain riches, he might be too selfish to dispense crea- 
ture comforts with a prodigal hand, thereby placing his greediness in con- 
flict with his better impulses. Patrons will always be as numerous as he can 
well attend to. for there are those so familiar with his success that 
no amount of prejudice growing out of difference of opinion on social ques- 
tions will deter them from employing him when sickness enfeebles them. 
Friends he has who will stick to him through evil as well as good report ; 
he has faith in them, and, too, that confidence in himself which leads him to 
believe he will not justly forfeit their affection and esteem. Critics cannot 
make their prejudices mischievous, because the book must be read before 
the prejudices of the reading public can be justly formed, and after a perusal 
it is hoped that if his views are not altogether correct, a train of reflection 
may be induced which will at least lead to the evolution of new truth. It 
is pleasant certainly to be on the popular side. The author used to be 
ambitious of the praises of men ; this he has measurably outgrown, but is 
still somewhat sensitive to their censure ; but no amount of the latter could 
deter him from doing that which conscience prompts him to do. The 
writing of this Part is the fulfillment of promises sacredly made during the 
night watches ; he believes he has ever honorably discharged all his civil 
obligations, and it will be his aim to discharge his moral duties. This por- 
tion of this work he conceived to be a task belonging to the latter, and though 
it has been performed with many interruptions and discouragements, he 
has felt impelled by a power greater than his own, to indite what has been 
herein written. 

More good people, however, are in sympathy with his views than many 
may suppose. We do not always know the heart sentiments of our next-door 
neighbor. " A man," remarks a quaint writer, 'may go much among men 
and only look at them as he does at the trees and stones. But if a man of 
this habit gets near enough to the strange men he finds in strange fields, 
he will get their half confidence and self-re vealings which will somewhat 
complicate his observations and fill him with surprise as if spoken to by the 
rooks. Most of the men I meet, hold their opinions somewhat privately, 
and they guard them as they do the tender places in their bodies. A man 



790 CONCLUSION OF PART THIRD. 

opens his mitid guardedly as he does his wallet in a crowd, and if he shows 
his belief, he does it in the same manner in which he speaks of his love." 

It is time, however, that every thinker should think aloud and compare 
notes. There will always, doubtless, be a conservative class, to oppose any 
new truth or measure which may be suggested, but for the present, at least, 
its power is not great enough to squelch the life of a reformer, if it be suffi- 
cient in some cases to visit him with social ostracism. Let us trust the 
world has got forever beyond the infliction of the penalty of death for 
opinion's sake. "At all times," remarks the Lewiston (Maine) Journal, 
"the conservative party, when strong enough to enforce its will, has been a 
party of persecution. It poisoned Socrates ; it crucified Christ ; it threw the 
Christians to the wild beasts in the Roman amphitheatre ; it established the 
inquisition; it forced Galileo to confess that the earth stands still; it laid its 
paralyzing hand upon Columbus; it kindled the fires of Smithfield: it gib- 
beted Quakers ; it persecuted Arkwright ; it laughed at Fulton, etc. It 
always was, it is now, and always will be, like a purblind bat, terrified at the 
breaking dawn, fearful that the universe is to be given over with the rising 
sun to inextinguishable conflagration !" 

From its ancient power to destroy those who attempted radical reform, 
the conservative class can now do little more than to point the finger of 
contempt at one whom it marks as a fanatic, and this kind of persecution 
ought not to daunt the spirit of any one who loves God and humanity. It 
is nevertheless too true that people fear to express opinions ; fear to act as 
they feel almost constrained to do, lest they become unpopular by so doing. 
Many a valuable thought which would have added impetus to human prog- 
ress is suppressed, and perishes for the time being with the brain which 
originates it, because its author fears its utterance may render him obnoxious 
to his companions. Not, perhaps, until another generation, is the same 
thought conceived by one who has the heroism to utter it. "When, finally, 
it ventures out in an address or in the pages of a book, denunciation is the 
penalty which is pretty sure to fall upon the head of the contumacious 
speaker or writer. Considering this state of things, not until the human 
family acquire a more liberal spirit of toleration can human progress make 
rapid strides. Until a man or woman is honored for acting independently, 
and indeed, for thinking out loud, the great mass of the people must continue 
to wear the opinions of predecessors and compatriots, just as the children of 
poor parents wear the old clothes of the elder members of the family. This 
analogy however is imperfect because old opinions fit too tightly, while old 
clothes set too loosely. We are constantly cramped by laws and customs 
made by our fathers. Our civil statutes and social customs only change 
when the compressed spirits of the people, groaning under the pressure, 
burst the fetters ; and those bold spirits who first cry out from the over- 



CONCLUSION OF PART THIRD. 79J 

f 
flowing bitterness of their cup, or their acute sense of sympathy and justice 
suffer a social martyrdom for which only the ultimate triumph of the idea 
and the blessing it coalers on generations unborn, can yield an adequate 
compensation. 

I have among my clippings a fugitive scrap which may properly find place 
here. It may be from an address by George William Curtis, or it may be 
from the printed lecture of somebody else, I do not remember, but it is good, 
and here it is: — 

"It is only fair to consider the average of public opinion as it affects the 
right of private judgment. Its argument is always conceited and always 
mean. ' What. ' it says, ' do you claim the right of self-opinion when all 
others think differently from you ? Are you so proud and so stubborn as 
to put yourself in opposition to the whole world ? Do you intend to reform 
the world? Here we are comfortably seated in our first-class train, and you 
come along to disturb us. You can accomplish nothing. You might as 
well try to melt the Arctic Sea with a lucifer match.' ■ But I must see the 
truth." — 'Truth, truth,' grovels orthodoxy. 'What is truth, if it is not 
our opinion? Xow. mark, we have the power, we are many. Do you want 
to lose your position ? To resist is to die.' Well, it is imposing. Publio 
opinion is a serpent, with a mean and hateful eye, and it goes upon its belly. 
It glides into every church: it coils up in every pew; it enters into everj 
familv : it runs up every staircase : it follows me to the platform, and when 
I sit down in a chair, its hateful folds are beneath me. But the fashionable 
creed is only the opinion of one man multiplied. Aggregation is sometimeg 
force, but it is not always argument. Public opinion is only the opinion of a 
great many men. and is no more worthy of confidence than that of any 
single man among them. M 

With this paragraph I must close ; I have no further apology to offer for 
the matter presented in Part III. The heart hath felt it — the pen hath com- 
mitted it to paper — and the lead of the printer, more potent than that of 
the rifled warrior, hath impressed it in the pages of this book. ^lay the 
kind spirit of our Father go with it, and if its influence be evil destroy it; 
but if its influence be good, may He abundantly bless it and disseminate it. 




THE MASKS MUST FINALLY COME OFF, 



W9 



PART IV. 



Suggestions for the Improvement of Popular 
Marriage, etc. 






if 






OPENING CHAPTER, 

INTRODUCTION. 



OTYTITHSTAXDING- monogamic, or what 
is sometimes erroneously denominated 
Christian marriage, is open to just criti- 
cism, as exhibited in Part III., it would 
be a much better institution than it now 
religionists would cordially unite with 
Christian physiologists for its improvement. I 
know that monogamic marriage, according to its 
strict definition, means indissoluble marriage. 
But indissoluble marriage has never practically 
obtained foothold on this planet, unless it was 
in the times of the founders of Rome, and this 
supposition entertained by a few writers, I am 
disposed to discredit for reasons already given; 
nor is it best that monogamy in its strictest sense 
should ever prevail. It is contrary to nature 
that it should, and the naturalists, I think, might 
search the forests and waters of the earth in vain for any tribes or 
species of animals that rigidly maintain any such rule in their sexual rela- 
tions, and there are plain physiological reasons why the human family 
34 




794 INTRODUCTION. 

should Dot. Still we are in the habit of calling our system of marriage 
monogamic, and I will conform to the custom. Nothing can be more errone- 
ous than to call it Christian, as Jesus was not the founder of any marriage 
system. It would be well for the reader before perusing this part to read 
Part III., and especially the chapter headed "History of Marriage," in 
order that any prejudices in favor of our present system, growing out of 
its supposed Divine origin may be dispelled ; otherwise the right to sug- 
gest any thing for its improvement may be justly questioned, for certainly it 
would be little less than blasphemy, for us poor finite mortals to presume 
to improve on any of the works of Deity. If indeed our Creator or our 
Saviour was the founder of any particular form of marriage it is our duty 
to ransack both sacred and profane history to find it, and having found it, 
we should take it just as it was given to us without alteration or amend- 
ment. The results of the author's researches are such as a«re given in the 
"History of Marriage," and in the chapter headed "The Defects of Mar- 
riage," and having been led by these to believe that it is a human insti- 
tution, he deems it to be the duty of all good and all wise men, to co-oper- 
ate in effecting such amendments as will best conduce to the general wel- 
fare. Every medical writer, especially, who does not put forth effort in 
this direction, is guilty of an omission which reflects discredit upon his 
faithfulness as a physician, when it is considered for a moment how greatly 
marriage effects for good or evil, the happiness, health, and longevity 
of every individual who enters it. In this branch of our investigation, too, 
all who are desirous of upholding something approaching the monogamic 
system should feel particularly interested. If it be believed by any con- 
siderable number of Christian men and women that our prevailing mar- 
riage is the only true one, such persons more than all others, should join hands 
with the parson and doctor to perfect and popularize it, to the end that 
polygamy, complex marriage, and all other systems may enjoy but a brief 
existence. No progress can be made by opposing other systems, for in all 
violent opposition to them, the same as in religious persecution, " the blood 
of the martyrs is the seed of the church." Mormon polygamy and the 
results of individual and national opposition to it is a striking illustration. 
Driven from Nauvoo with the rifle and club of the mob, they have become 
as strong as a young nation on the shores of Salt Lake. The Communists 
were driven out of Putney, Yermont, to grow rich, strong, and respectable 
on the banks of Oneida Creek in New York. It is plain, therefore, that the 
true policy of the upholders of monogamy, is to concentrate their wisdom 
and strength upon perfecting their system, and making it if possible so attrac- 
tive, that it will be forever the voluntary choice of the mass of intelligent 
mankind. There is nothing more glaringly palpable than the fact that there 
is an enormous defect in the present system of marriage, the remedying of 



INTRODUCTION. 795 

which has been sadly neglected in the physiological "dark ages," from 
which the civilized world, I trust, is gradually, if slowly, emerging. Says 
Mrs. Jameson in her " Winter Studies and Summer Rambles in Canada:" 

"In conversing with a prelate and the missionaries on the spirit- 
ual and moral condition of his diocese, and these newly-settled regions 
In general, I learned nany things which interested me much; and there was 
one thing discussed which especially surprised me. It was said that two- 
thirds of the misery which came under the immediate notice of a popular 
clergyman, and to which he teas called to minister, arose from the infelicity of 
the conjugal relations : there Avas no question here of open immorality and 
discord, but simply of infelicity and unfitness. The same thing has been 
brought before me in every country, every society, in which I have been a 
sojourner and an observer ; but I did not look to find it so broadly placed 
before me litre in America, where the state of morals, as regards the two 
sexes, is comparatively pure ; where the marriages are early, where con- 
ditions are equal, where the means of subsistence are abundant, where the 
women are much petted and considered by the men. r ' By this we see, that 
matrimonial unhappiness is so almost universal as not to escape the notice 
of clergymen, whose profession affords less facilities for ascertaining the 
true conjugal condition of all classes of people, religious and irreligious, than 
that of the physician. Since the first publication of my book, in which the 
quotation from Mrs. Jameson appeared, a great many clergymen have spo- 
ken with me in reference to this same matter, and have given precisely the 
same testimony, but it is not necessary in this place to adduce facts and 
arguments, to prove that the world is full of connubial infelicity. There is 
no monogamic community in which there does not exist indubitable evidence 
of it. What we want is a remedy. 

Many bold spirits who have tasted the bitterest dregs of matrimonial 
infelicity, are ready, nay, restlessly impatient, to overthrow entirely all 
institutions of marriage, inaugurate a system of free and promiscuous love, 
leaving the sexes without legal or social restraint, and to the dictates of 
their own individual impulses in the gratification of their amative desires 
and the perpetuation of the race. Others are as zealously advocating lenient 
divorce laws ; so lenient indeed, as to allow men and women to marry and 
divorce at pleasure, without any outside meddling, until a congenial com- 
panionship can be formed, and then again to change this companionship when- 
ever it becomes disagreeable, whether the causes be natural and potent or 
absolutely frivolous. 

Such a system might better be called Digamy than Monogamy, and 
even if expedient (which, in the present condition of popular morals, is not 
probable), could not receive the sanction of this semi-conservative age. 
Others, still, there are, who, while they deplore the wide-spread wretched- 



796 INTRODUCTION. 

ness existing in matrimonial life, and perhaps experience its bitterness 
in a slight or great degree, occupy neutral ground, feeling an indefinable 
reverence for the present system, and still ready to adopt any new 
one which may be suggested, compatible with religion and social good 
order. And there is yet another class, more fortunate than the rest, 
who have accidentally formed a happy matrimonial alliance, or some- 
thing approaching thereto, presently at least promising to be perma- 
nent, a majority of whom advocate rigid divorce laws, and egotistically 
imagine that all the matrimonial unhappiness in the world is only the result 
of stupidity or recklessness on the part of those entering into the contract 
of marriage. They consider parties to such alliances deserving of all the 
misery they have brought upon themselves, and selfishly fold their conserva- 
tive arms, only to move them in defence of existing laws or the enactment 
of still stricter ones. Such men, however well versed in law and theology, 
are seldom physiologists, and are unwilling to open their eyes upon the 
disastrous effects which unhappy marriages are entailing upon the human 
race, by producing progeny, and progeny's progeny, sour in temper, unbal- 
anced in mind, and sickly in body. They are surprised at the increase of 
crime, and the decrease of physical vigor among our young people, and 
sagely attribute the causes to all others than the real ones. The thought 
never strikes them that if marriage could only be properly regulated, we 
might hope, after a season, to rid the country of rogues by the prison, and 
that, so long as such incongruous unions take place between the sexes, we 
shall ever have need of iron bars and prison walls. 

This Part, therefore, will be mainly devoted to the improvement of our 
present system of marriage, with occasional chapters of matter appertaining 
to society as it presently exists. If any thing is encountered by the reader 
seemingly in conflict with the suggestions and opinions given in Part III., 
let it be remembered that in this portion of my work I am advising and 
recommending means for improving the system of marriage and society 
presently prevailing in Christendom, without alarming the conservative mind 
by proposing any very strikingly radical changes. Some of the proposed 
changes may appear novel at first glance, but on reflection they must com- 
mend themselves to the judgment of all intelligent people. After listening 
to these preliminary whispers, the reader is allowed to ramble through the 
remaining pages presented in this Part. 




CHAPTER II 

ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE* 

NE of the most important matters in forming a matri- 
monial alliance, is to secure at the outset, at least, 
entire adaptation, both mental and physical. Many 
reformers run wild on what they term " Platonic 
love," and advocate Platonic marriages, or such as are 
founded entirely on elevated mental affinity. Not a few philoso- 
phers, in all ages, have taken the opposite extreme, and ignored 
the influence of all affection between the sexes, excepting that of 
a passional nature. Neither of these extremes can, in the light of 
physiology, be regarded as right. In marriage, there should always 
be a nice and equal adjustment of the Platonic and passional ele- 
ments in the affections, which attract and bind the pair together. Friend- 
ship is one thing ; true love another. These two sentiments should be 
so blended in marriage as to make what might be called a compound senti- 
ment. 

Observation teaches us that truly happy marriages cannot exist when 
only Platonic love unites the sexes. Almost every community exhibits 
some marriages based on " Platonic love, " but neither their offspring, nor 
their constancy, indicate that oneness of soul, which characterizes those 
unions in which both physical and mental adaptation have been realized. 
Then, on the other hand, it is degrading to the human being, created in the 
image of God, and endowed with an immortal spark of Divinity, to claim 
that love is but the exclusive offspring of passion, and that man and woman 
should marry or cohabit under the single influence of that feeling which 
prompts the brute creation to mate and perpetuate its species. Human 
beings are animals, and possess many inclinations in common with those 
of a lower type. Necessity for food and a desire for sexual pleasure, are 
shared by all animals, no less by man than by those over which the "Lords 
of Creation 1 ' rule. But human beings are distinguished from the lower order 
of animals, by intellectual and superior social endowments, consequently, 
mental and social fitness should be considered as well as physical adapta- 
tion, in the sexual relations of men and women. Not, however, by any 



798 ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 

means to the neglect of the latter, any more than if man were not gifted 
with reason and elevated social faculties, for his animal desires, and I might 
almost say necessities, are not destroyed by the presence of these crowning 
endowments. 

Reciprocity in the sexual relation is indispensable to the contentment and 
happiness of the husband and wife. 0. S. Fowler, in a little work entitled 
"Love and Parentage," has said some very excellent things on this subject, 
and to show the necessity of physical adaptation, I cannot do better than 
to quote extensively from his remarks upon it. 

"Reciprocity," says Mr. Fowler, "is a constituent ingredient in its very 
nature. Without it neither can ever be happy in either love or wedlock. Its 
absence is misery to the ardor of the one, and repugnance to the coldness of 
the other. A cardinal law of both love and connubial bliss requires, that 
the more tender the affection of either, the more cordially should it be 
reciprocated by the other. * * * * The exalted pleasure appertain- 
ing to the parental function constitutes the one essential embodiment of 
love, as well as the principal object and ingredient in marriage. Its antici- 
pation embodies the chief incentive of the former, and the main motive of 
the latter. What other motive does or should prompt either? Nothing 
but this single legitimate object of marriage, and only consummation and 
constituent element of love. What else does the very etymology of matri- 
mony signify ? And in what consists the marriage vow, but in the implied 
and fully recognized act of covenanting with each other to participate 
together in this ultimate repast of love ? Candidates for matrimony ! what 
but this do you seek and proffer in forming this alliance ? Affected prudish- 
ness may pretend to frown upon this home truth ; but viewed in whatever 
light you please, the long and short, warp and woof, and sole embodiment, 
of both love and matrimony — the one legitimate element, end, motive, and 
object desired and prompted — of either separately aDd of both collectively — 
consists in the anticipation and pledging of each to participate this function 
of love with the other. This is the origin of the marriage rites. The 
bridegroom justly thinks himself entitled to these rites, because the very act 
of the bride in becoming his wife consists simply in a surrender of her 
celibacy, and a pledge to partake in this parental function. And the value 
set by either party on matrimony is mainly the price set on this repast. 
Other advantages grow incidentally out of marriage, but are only incidental. All 
depend on this — are its satellites — and grow legitimately out of it. 

" This being * the tie that binds,' the absence of reciprocity here is of 
course the bone of contention. If similarity in other respects is essential to 
love, how all essential is this the very essence of the marriage covenant 
and contract ? Matrimonial felicity can no more be had without reciprocity 
and mutual pleasure here, than noonday without the sun, nor can discord 



ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 799 

coexist with reciprocity here any more than darkness and sunshine; 
because they who cannot make each other happy in this, the ultimatum of 
love and marriage, cannot in minor matters ; while those who can, will find 
all the minor causes of discord drowned in this key-note of concord. The 
happiness conferred by each on the other being the so^g occasicm of love, 
and reciprocity here being the heart's-core of all the happiness of both love 
and wedlock — their basis, and frame-work, and superstructure, and all in 
all — therefore, those who are qualified to confer on each other this summum 
bonum of matrimonial felicity, are bound together by the strongest bond of 
union connected with our nature ; whilst those who cannot both confer and 
receive mutual pleasure in this respect cannot possibly be happy in married 
life, and consequently cannot possibly love each other ; and, therefore, 
should never enter together the sacred inclosu re of wedlock. On nothing 
does the bridegroom set an equal value. All else in married life is of little 
value to him compared with reciprocity and happiness here. This expected 
pleasure alone prompts marriage. Oh ! if I could catch the matrimonial ear 
of the whole world, I would say, in the language of this law of love, to the 
blooming bride as she enters upon the nuptial relations : By all the happi- 
ness you are capable of conferring and receiving in married life, note every 
invitation to this banquet of love, and cordially respond. Coldness or 
squeamishness in love's repast, will dampen your consort's pleasure, and 
therefore his love, while your cold repulse or petulant refusal persisted in, 
will be the death-blow of matrimonial felicity to you both — a blasting sirocco 
to his fondest hopes ; for it will force him to drink the mere dregs of the 
marriage cup, in lieu of the delicious nectar he had so fondly expected to 
sip at the hymeneal altar. But, if you watch the rising desires of love, and 
bestow the welcome embrace, you re-enkindle its flame, and crown your 
blessed union with the complete fruition of this the embodiment of all its 
pleasures. 

" But nothing will sting him so severely with disappointment, despair, and 
hatred, as unsatisfied desire. The reason is this. As already seen, amative- 
ness, the cerebral organ of this passion, bears the most intimate relation to 
the whole body, and the entire mentality, as the means of the propagation 
of both. Hence, its gratification abates that burning fever consequent on 
its unsatisfied cravings, and calms down that irritability of the animal pro- 
pensities, which always necessarily accompanies its reversed and painful 
action. 

" The precise physiological principle involved," continues Mr. Fowler," is, 
summarily this : amativeness bears the most intimate reciprocal relation 
possible to the body, in order to its propagation, and also to the animal pro- 
pensities. Hence, gratification sates that feverish, morbid, irritable, and 
depraved state of both this organ and of the whole of the animal propensi- 



800 ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 

ties, among which it is situated; but its denial, fires up to their highest 
pitch of abnormal, and therefore depraved, manifestation, the whole of the 
animal region, the body included; and thus produces sin and misery 
in their most aggravated forms. Fully to enforce this cardinal doctrine, 
requires the full exposition of that fundamental law of relation subsisting 
between the various states of amativeness and of the animal propensities. 
But, assuming this point, behold in it the cause of that bitter hatred and 
implacable revenge always and necessarily consequent on the cold refusal 
in place of the soul-inspiring expectation of a cordial welcome ! 

" This doctrine of the necessity of reciprocity must commend itself to all 
who have experience concerning it, and requires no other proof: while the 
uninitiated will find ample proof in the universal fact that those husbands 
and wives, either one of whom went reluctantly to the hymeneal altar, never 
lived happily together. Scrutinize all the cases in which either party was 
over-persuaded by the importunity of the other, or by officious parents or 
friends, and every identical one, except those in which the requisite reci- 
procity has been subsequently re-established, which are rare, will be found 
to have resulted in misery to both. Let this principle and fact effectually 
warn all against persuading or being persuaded to marry against their feel- 
ings. Ardent love in one can never compensate for the loss of it in the 
other, but only increases the disparity. Warmth in one and coldness in the 
other is as ice to fire. Reciprocity is indispensable. Those who love each 
other well enough to marry will need no urging, but will literally rush into 
each other's arms. Then let all beware how they marry unless both love 
and are beloved ; because love in one and not in the other is a breach of 
love's cardinal requisitions, and therefore can never render either happy, 
but must, in the very nature of things, torment both for life. And let those 
who are married put forth their utmost endeavors to reinstate, as far as pos- 
sible, reciprocity in this vital requisition of matrimonial felicity. A few facts : 

"From the very hour that Nero's 'wanton dalliance' and desired incest 
with his mother was interrupted, he plotted her death, and consummated 
that most revolting matricide with impatient haste and the most infamous 
cruelty. Potiphar's wife hated Joseph as cordially after he refused her this 
indulgence, as she loved him before, and solely in consequence of such 
refusal. This alone converted the frenzy of her love into revenge equally 
frantic. The story of Amnon and Tamar (2 Sam. xiii.) also establishes and 
illustrates our position. An enamored widow in New York, similarly re- 
fused by an amorous man, because of his filial regard for her venerated 
husband, from that hour to this, has pursued him with all the artful ven- 
geance of a human fiend. The details of this case are full of thrilling inter- 
est. One of the recent cases of crim. con. in New York, grew out of 
a husband's conscientious refusal to gratify his wife in this respect, while 



ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 801 

fulfilling her maternal relations. This roused her worst passions, ana* she 
sought with a paramour what she was denied in wedlock. In short, does 
this law of love, and law of mind, that refused indulgence engenders 
hatred, require further proof, however similar in other respects ; or that 
reciprocity here is the olive-branch of connubial peace, however illy matched 
in other respects ? Need we prove that coldness in the one and ardor in 
the other, is * hope deferred' to the former, and repulsiveness to the latter, 
which necessarily blasts their mutual happiness, and of course their love 7 
Is not this settled truth — the very summing up of this whole matter ? 

11 Forbearing reader! Condemn not our freedom; because our subject is 
fraught with the very life and death of all matrimonial felicity. It is one of 
HIGHTY moment — the great sandbank of matrimonial shipwreck — yet rarely 
developed. Its chagrined victims rarely tell the fatal secret. It remains to 
be disclosed by science. Besides, reader, you yourself may require to 
know what you can learn probably nowhere else. Accept, then, as you 
prize domestic happiness, the following matrimonial life-preservers, in the form 
of preparatory advice, to all whom it may concern : — 

11 First, to the reluctant wife ! For you to yield, is to conquer. By showing a 
desire to do all you can to oblige a beseeching husband, you throw yourself 
on his generosity, and thereby quell that desire which coldness or refusal 
would only aggravate. Your cheerful submission to what he knows to be 
disagreeable, at once excites his pity and gratitude, and thus awakens his 
higher faculties in your behalf and subdues desire ; because, how can he 
who dotes or* you take pleasure in what occasions you pain ? He takes 
your will for the deed, and loves you therefore too well to insist on so deli- 
cate a matter unless agreeable to you also, or to feast himself at your 
expense. Compliance is a sovereign remedy for his importunity, because it 
kills his desires. Remember, you must always yield cheerfully, and with a 
view to please him, or else the whole effect will be lost. Never prove 
remiss, but do all you can to conform. Thereby you will lay your husband 
under the highest possible obligations of love and gratitude ; whereas the 
unkind refusal begets increased importunity, and makes him insist on his 
rights, and threaten you with vengeance if you dare refuse. Abundant excuse, 
such as the most unreasonable demand on his part, and utter inability on 
yours, alone should warrant your refusal. 

11 Husbands ! It is now your turn. To promote desire is your only plan. 
To excite those feelings which alone can render your wishes acceptable to 
the partner of your love, will obviate present repugnance, and render both 
happy in what otherwise would be a torment to both. Cultivate the defective 
faculty. Apply those perpetual stimulants which you alone can employ, and 
your wife, if a true woman, will necessarily respond. This element is of 
right, at least always ought to be, comparatively dormant at marriage, and 
34* 



802 ADAPTATION Iff MAftElAGE. 

therefore requires to be cultivated before its full activity can reasonably be 
expected. This, and this alone, can secure your desired boon — alone 
can obviate the difficulty. It is not for her, but for you, to excite her to 
willingness. 

" But, mark : this can never be done by "blaming her. By soft words and 
tender manners only. And yet, many husbands think to drive their wives 
to this tender repast by blaming them for delays. This is the very last thing 
that should be done ; because this produces disaffection, and disaffection 
weakens the remaining fragment of love. By thus provoking desire, he can 
frequently obviate barrenness, which is often caused by want of interest in 
her. Excite this interest, and you thereby secure offspring — the one 
object of marriage and end effected by love. In short, provoke her 
to love.^ 

Although the foregoing quotations from Mr. Fowler's interesting little 
work answer very well to show the necessity of physical and amative 
adaptation, I must disagree with him in the remark that " all minor causes of 
discord are drowned in this key-note of concord." Entire mental adaptation, 
is of all importance, in conjunction with physical adaptation, to effect a 
happy marriage, and, injustice to Mr. F., I should state that he advocates 
substantially the same views in other portions of his work. Without some- 
thing of a correspondence in the moral and religious faculties, and congeniality 
in the social feelings, conversational and fireside enjoyments are unknown 
to the married couple. There should indeed be such an even balance of the 
platonic and passional elements, as to preserve constant harmony ; platonic 
love stepping in, when passional love is made latent by gratification, 
Sexual connection it should be remembered equalizes the nfagnetic elements 
of the pair, so that magnetic or physical attraction is for a time suspended 
after it. 

What is Mental Adaptation ? 

Mental adaptation, in marriage, consists in at least an approximate corre- 
spondence in the tastes, sentiments, and propensities of the husband and wife. 
The organs of Conscientiousness (15), Benevolence (19), Veneration (18), 
Hope (16), and Spirituality (11), as represented in the annexed cut, impart to 
the human mind a religious character. Now, the possession of high moral 
and religious sentiments by one, and a total destitution of them in the other 
is frequently the cause of matrimonial discords and sometimes separations. 
How can a pious wife enjoy the society of a husband who ridicules, and 
perhaps forbids, her devotional exercises ? How can a devotional husband 
love a wife who neither sympathizes with, nor participates in, his religious 
sentiments, while, by precept and example, she trains up his children re- 
gardless of his cherished principles ? 



WHAT IS MENTAL ADAPTATION? 



803 




MENTAL OBGANIZATION. 



The organ of inhabitiveness (4), when largely developed in the hu- 
man head, gives attachment to home and love of country. A wife, 
possessing a full development of y . 

this organ, can never live happily 
with a husband whose inhabitive- 
ness is small and locality (31) 
large. He will ever be on the 
move, like the rolling stone, and 
the wife must sacrifice her love 
of home and a permanent location 
by following in his wak«, or else 
let him go, and content herself in 
loneliness. Some wives are ren- 
dered miserable by the itinerant 
propensities of their husbands, 
who are ever changing their place 
of residence, and hardly remain 
long enough in one locality to get 
the curtains up and carpets down. 
Sometimes it is the reverse, the wife having the roving propensity, and 
her husband, unless like her in this respect, is annoyed to death with her 
discontentment 

The organ of philoprogenitiveness (2) makes its possessor very fond of 
children. If the wife has this faculty small, and the husband large, the 
latter is decidedly inclined to find fault with her management of the children, 
and bickerings arise from this cause. He is passionately fond of his child, 
while she is inclined to abuse it. She considers children great plagues, and 
often tries to destroy them before birth, while his tender soul shrinks from 
the horrible crime of infanticide. As the principal training and care of the 
child devolves upon the mother, large philoprogenitiveness in the father is 
not so essential as in the mother. But there is always u war in the wig- 
wam" when the father possesses this faculty large and the mother small. 

Adhesiveness (3) is an organ which begets powerful attachments. It is 
the chief prompter of platonic love. It leads persons to seek the society of 
those who have similar mental proclivities, and seals congenial acquaint- 
ance with enduring friendship. If the husband lacks this quality of mind, 
the wife ever laments his want of fraternal affection — feels that he married 
her more for the gratification of his animal desires than for her society. If 
the wife is destitute of this organ, she is generally cold and repulsive, ex- 
cept when aroused by amative excitement. The home circle is robbed of 
half its attractions, and the husband, unless immersed in business, not un- 
frequently becomes the natron of the bar-room or the gaming-table, 



804 ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 

Amativeness (1) is the organ which seeks physical adaptation, and gives 
rise to passional love. Its nature and office are embodied in what has been 
previously remarked on reciprocity in love. Mr. L. N. Fowler remarks: 
41 From my extensive observations and knowledge, gained by fifteen years' 
travel in all parts of the country, and becoming acquainted with families 
from various parts of the world, 1 have at timea almost arrived at fhe con- 
clusion that one-half, if not more, of all difficulties existing between hus- 
bands and wives, and premature deaths, are produced by a want of proper 
adaptation to each other in this organ." By making the amendment, want 
of this and physical adaptation, I agree with Mr. Fowler. 

Many husbands and wives possess an equal development of the organ of 
amativeness, and still have not the necessary physical adaptation to make 
each other happy in its gratification. Two persons may possess an equal 
development of the organ of adhesiveness, and yet fail to become friends 
for want of mental congeniality in other respects. So, also, equality in the 
organ of amativeness does not perfect passional love. The latter is the 
offspring of amative and physical adaptation. 

The intellectual faculties, which need not here be enumerated, impart 
keen perception and reflection — lead their possessor to perceive the exist- 
ence and qualities of external objects, and their relations, and to compare, 
judge, and discriminate. In marriage, the existence of diversity in these 
organs in the male and female head rather tends to increase than to destroy 
not only mental, but physical adaptation, provided there is aggregative 
equality; or, in other words, provided the perceptive brain is equally as 
well cultivated as the reflective one. The possession of a perceptive brain 
by the wife, and a reflective one by the husband, or vice versa, will not 
engender disrespect, but rather greater appreciation of each other's abilities, 
while the effect of this diversity upon the offspring is beneficial, because it 
not only endows it with the faculties of each, but even to some degree in- 
creases its vital tenacity. It will be observed in the next essay that this 
diversity in the foreheads favors physical adaptation. 

The intellectual powers of each, however, should be about equal, however 
diverse in character ; no wife can respect a husband who is her inferior, 
and without respect there can be no real love. Nor can an intelligent hus- 
band, enjoy the society of a wife who is ignorant and perhaps uncouth. 
He may be led by the momentary influence of passion to marry such a 
woman, but he can never truly respect or love her. He will not only avoid 
her society himself, but he will feel dissatisfied to have his children brought 
up under her influence. 

"What can be expected but disappointment and repentance," says Dr. 
Johnson, u from a choice made in the immaturity of youth, in the ardor of 
desire, without judgment, without foresight, without inquiry after confor- 



WffAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 805 

mity of opinions, similarity of manners, rectitude of judgment, or purity of 
sentiment? Such is the common process of marriage. A youth and 
maiden meeting by chance, or brought together by artifice, exchange 
glances, reciprocate civilities, go home and dream of one another. Having 
little to divert attention or diversify thought, they find themselves uneasy 
when they are apart, and therefore conclude that they shall be happy 
together. They marry, and discover what nothing but voluntary blindness 
before had concealed ; they wear out life in altercations and charge nature 
with cruelty." 

Passional love, which warms up only at intervals, cannot long render the 
pair blind to mental disparity. And then too, when passion has been 
the governing attraction, and age cools down the impulses of early man- 
hood and womanhood, nothing is bft to render their matrimonial relations 
even tolerable. Therefore, to contract a happy marriage or any approach 
thereto, in addition to that amatorial and physical adaptation necessary to 
promote between two persons of opposite sex strong passional love, there 
must also exist that mental ojid moral congeniality, which produces power- 
ful friendship— friendship which would be deep and lasting were sexual 
considerations xmthought of. 

What is Physical Adaptation? 

Physical adaptation in marriage consists in part of a perfect dissimilarity 
in the electrical conditions of the husband and wife. I have shown in an 
essay commencing on page 622, that every person possesses electricity 
peculiar to him or herself, and this I have denominated Individual Electricity. 
Now, however large the organ of amativeness may be in both the male and 
female head, the amount of enjoyment which is realized in the sexual 
embrace, must depend upon the electrical differences existing between the 
two. If the quantity and quality of this element is nearly alike in both, 
then will intercourse be insipid, if not painful, because the sensitive nerves 
centering in the organs of procreation must be acted upon by an electrical 
element foreign to their own, in order to produce pleasurable sensations. 
Any limited enjoyment which may be derived by the union of two of 
eimilar electrical conditions, must arise entirely from the action of tho 
chemical and frictional electricities, as explained in the essay referred to. 

Nor is it sufficient that one should be positively and the other negatively 
electrified. The element must be dissimilar in quality as well as in quantity. 
The nature of the current produced by the friction of glass on silk, is unlike 
that generated by a galvanic battery ; electro-magnetism is not like galvan- 
ism ; the electricity of a thunder-storm is unlike any of these ; and so do the 
electricities of individuals differ in their nature in the same ratio that the 
latter differ in their physical conformations, Each person generates and 



F06 ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 

imparts an animal electrical element peculiar to his or her organization, and 
it is safe to advise every man and woman who, during courtship, do not 
experience the peculiar warmth and nervous exhilaration which different 
magnetisms induce when in each other's company, to dismiss all idea of 
uniting in marriage. No intelligent girl or boy who has arrived at the age of 
pubescence, is so inexperienced as not to know what I mean. The emo- 
tions which arise when two of opposite sex magnetically adapted associate, 
are known to all above the age of pubescence, whose sexual organs 
have not been paralyzed by deferred exercise, or disease. Many mistakenly 
marry without regard to this experience, take a companion for social, 
pecuniary, or other considerations, with whom no such emotions have been 
felt, leaving, in many instances with grief, the lover with whom such attrac- 
tion exists. In cases where the sexual organs have become dormant by 
non-use, or disease, it may be safe to marry without feeling sexual desire 
for a companion, but not so, if the magnetic bodily warmth and physical 
and mental exhilaration, which must always arise in social contact with one 
magnetically adapted, is not felt. The simple custom of shaking hands, 
enables one to determine pretty well who are, and who are not magnetically 
adapted ; a courtship may better not begin unless this condition may be 
supposed to be favorable. But if it begin, it may better be discontinued, 
if after several social interviews it is discovered t«hat no great magnetic 
attraction exists, or, if it existed at the beginning, it is found to have 
subsided. 

I said that physical adaptation in marriage consisted in part of dissim- 
ilar electrical conditions. These conditions cannot exist permanently with- 
out temperamental adaptation. Temporary, and, in some instances, quite 
intense magnetic attraction, may be felt between two persons of similar 
temperament ; but it cannot, in any instance, be lasting. This leads us to 
the question — What is, then, temperamental adaptation f I reply — it is a 
condition based upon entire physical diversity between a man and woman. 
Tho material or atomic ingredients of their bodies must be, in a measure, 
unlike, and must also exist in diverse form. The late Doctor "William Byrd 
Powell, of Kentucky, who devoted nearly his whole life to the study of 
the temperaments, and who became so proficient as to be able to tell by the 
shape of a human skull the complexion of hair, eye, and skin of the subject 
when living, shall be selected as our authority in regard to the temperaments. 
About six or seven years ago, the Rev. Mr. Ballou, of New York, called 
my attention to some papers by Doctor Powell upon the subject of tempera- 
ments. I thought what I had myself written at different times upon them, 
covered the whole ground, but upon making myself further acquainted with 
the investigations of Doctor P. in this direction, I found that he was a 
master, and I but a student, in this branch of physiological science. I have 



"WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 



807 



since given additional attention to the study of the temperaments, as treated 
by him in various scientific papers, and in a work entitled " Natural History 
of the Human Temperaments," etc., by the same author, and I have found 
that, by applying his rules, I can determine with almost mathematical cer- 
tainty, what may reasonably be expected in regard to happiness and progeny 
whenever I see a man and woman entering into a matrimonial alliance. I 
will say moie about this before I conclude this essay ; for the present we 
will turn to Dr. Powell's classification and description of the temperaments. 

First, the Vital Ttmperaments : — 

These are known respectively by the names Sanguine and Bilious. " The 
sanguine temperament," remarks Dr. Powell, " is the tonic temperament of 
Dr. Darwin, and the mixed one of Dr. P. Fig. 174.* 

Thomas, of France; butl prefer to retain the 
denomination of Hippocrates. In the white 
variety of our species, this temperament is 
distinguished by light hair, fair skin, and 
grayish blue eyes. In both the white and 
black variety, it is distinguished by firm flesh 
and strong and full pulse, a forehead that 
recedes and contracts latterly as it rises ; the 
nose is generally above the average in size, and 
has the Roman form in well-defined repre- 
sentatives, but in the females the nose has 
the Grecian form, the lips close beautifully, 
the upper being the more prominent. This 
class," continues Dr. Powell, "has, in every 
historic age of our species, furnished the "^ 
most admired models of the human form, and 
lam much inclined to the opinion that human 
perfection, in all of its aspects, is more nearly 
achieved in this than in any other class." 

This writer puts forward General Wash- 
ington and the Hon. Edward Everett as 
excellent representatives of this tempera- 
ment. The illustrations herein given are 
drawn from the imagination, to present to 
the mind, as fully as possible, marked repre- 
sentatives of the temperaments so far as the 
facial and cranial conformation can be made 
to indicate them. In the annexed cut, Fig. 
174, we have, at the top a profile view, in 




8ANGUINB TEMPEBAMEKT. 



808 



ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 



the centre a front view, and at the bottom a three-quarters view of th© 
head of a female of the sanguine temperament. 

"The bilious temperament is distinguished by a harshly-defined out- 
line of the person and features. The muscular system is dense or 
firm, and capable of highly active movements. The bony system is com- 
paratively largely developed. The hair is black, coarse, and often curly. 
The eyes are a dark brown, and the complexion is dark and sallow. The 
head is of average size, and is developed obliquely, upwardly, aod back- 
wardly, so that the occipital and frontal bones are considerably parallel. 
The forehead, as with the sanguine, recedes, and contracts laterally as it rises 
The nose is usually above medium size, and, in strongly-marked represent- 
Fig. 175. atives, it is aquiline or Roman in form, but 

sometimes it has the Grecian form ; in fe- 
males, this is its usual form. A large 
aquiline or Roman nose is a highly masculine 
feature, and on a woman's face it is as unde- 
sirable as a large beard. 

"There is a variety of this tempera- 
ment, which hitherto has been regarde 
as the highest grade of the sanguine temper- 
ament. It is distinguished from the preced- 
ing by red hair, a florid complexion, and, gen- 
erally, lightly -grayish blue eyes. This vari- 
ety is thus produced : progenitors of the dark 
variety, by emigrating from a warm to a 
colder climate, have their constitutions so 
modified that the children born to them after 
their emigration, will have red hair, a florid 
complexion, etc. Dr. Pritchard, the ethnolo- 
gist, informs us that the progeny of those 
dark-complexioned Jews, who emigrated 
from Palestine to Northern Germany, became 
distinguished for their florid complexions and 
bushy red beards. I have observed several 
instances of dark, bilious parents, who, by 
emigrating from Louisiana to Ohio and Penn- 
sylvania, had afterward children with red 
hair and a florid complexion. This change 
in the human constitution, resulting from a 
change of climate, appears to be similar to 
that which is effected in birds of a dark plumage by the climate of Sibe- 
ria. If one of our wild turkeys were taken to Siberia, he would, in the 





WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? SOQ 

winter, become white; but I suspect that he would still be a turkey; 
and so I regard as bilious, the florid children of dark, bilious parents. 
This change appears to be confined to the dermal system, and has 
for its object the adaptation of the animal to the climate. Between the 
dark and florid varieties of this constitution I have perceived no difference, 
either mentally, therapeutically, or matrimonially. In all instances in which 
one would render the marriage compatible, so would the other. I denomi- 
nate this florid condition the Xanthous, or, by contraction, the Xantho-bilious. 
As illustrations of the dark bilious, I may cite Gustavus Adolphus, king of 
Sweden, a good king and an able general; Fig. 176. 

Francis I., king of France ; Pizarro. con- a b 

queror of Peru. And of the Xantho- bilious, 
Alexander the Great, and Ex -president 
Thomas Jefferson." 

I give, in Fig. 175, facial and cranial illus- 
trations of masculine representatives of the 
bilious temperament, the top being a pro- 
file, the centre a front, and the lower one a 
three-quarters view. As some of my read- 
ers may never have thought of what consti- 
tutes a Roman nose, or the outline of a 
Grecian nose. I insert the two diagrams. A and B, Fig 176, as illustrations, 
A being the Roman, and B the Grecian outline. 

Second, the Xon- Vital Temperaments : — 

Under this head, Dr. Powell classed the lymphatic temperament, and 
another named by himself " Encephalic." '• The lymphatic temperament," 
he says, "has no distinguishing complexion. It may be either fair or dark. 
Nevertheless, it is amply distinguished by a large and globular head, thick 
lips, ponderous cheeks, a pug-nose, sleepy-looking' eyes, a large and 
amorphous person, which may be likened to a human skin filled with 
water. Tho person is nearly bereft of hair. The pulse is small and feeble. 
The surface of the body is cool, because of the constant evaporation from it. 
All the muscular movements are slow. Although this condition, when 
highly developed, is greatly disgusting, yet, as an element of humanity, 
it is indispensable to civilization. Very many of the most distinguished 
men of our race have been compounded of two or three of the tempera- 
ments, and this is usually one of them. In the constitution of Daniel 
"Webster it constituted about thirty-three per cent. ; in the first Napoleon 
and Cromwell about twenty-five per cent., relatively: in Peter the Great, 
thirty-three per cent. 

"The most perfect representatives of this constitution obtain in China 




810 



ADAPTATION IN MAKKfAUK 



and Holland, and it greatly explains the patient industry of these peoples. 
Outside of the medical profession, people generally have but a confused idea 
of lymph. Well, it is neither flesh nor fat. It is the fluid or aqueous 
portion of the blood, or that fluid which is seen to escape from a blister 
when opened. It contains in solution both soda and lime. 

"So few of this class become distinguished that it is difficult to cite illus- 
trations of it. I can, however, cite one who is favorably known to fame : 
viz., Socrates ; but the repletion with him was not so great nor so disgusting 
as it frequently is. 

"It may be instructive to remark, that lymph is greatly less incompatible 
Fig. 177. w ^ n D0 ^ n mental and physical action than 

fat. Hence, we find that both the Chinese 
and Hollanders are highly efficient. Fat 
renders less active and efficient all the hu- 
man faculties; but lymph, if not too great, 
promotes activity — appears to be a lubrica- 
tor/' In Fig. 177, I present a profile, front, 
and three-quarters view of a female head of 
a lymphatic temperament, arranged in the 
order in which I name them. 

"The encephalic temperament," remarks 
Dr. Powell, "like the lymphatic, has no 
diagnostic, or distinguishing complexion. It 
may be either fair or dark. Nevertheless, 
it is amply distinguished by a relatively large 
and quadrangular cerebrum, a small and con- 
tracted cerebellum, a large and massive fore 
head, much expanded superiorly, or above 
the temples. The nose is small, and most 
generally celestial or recurved. The lips 
are thin and flexible, the lower being the 
more prominent. The chin is small and 
pointed. The thorax and abdomen are 
small. The pulse is small and feeble. 
The muscles are small, feeble, and flaccid. 
All the functions incidental to life, except ab- 
sorption, are feebly and tardily manifested. 
A high endowment of the preceding tem- 
lymphatio temperament. perament excites disgust, but this pity. 
Although this temperament, when highly developed, is greatly useless, yet 
in combination with the others, it contributes largely to the production of 
the most gifted and distinguished characters of our species. Indeed, a 




WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? §H 

highly-advanced civilization is, I think, impossible without it. People of 
this class are capable of profound thought and emotion, but not of power- 
ful: and further, they are very liable to monomania. Illustrations of this 
temperament, like the lymphatic, are very few. I can cite, however, the 
Rev. Dr. Rheinstadt, a recluse and scholar of Switzerland : Lorenzo de 
Medici; Blaize Pascal- the late Edgar A. Poe, who, for his age, was a fair 
illustration." 

In the annexed Fig. ITS, I present a profile, front, and three-quarters view 
of a male of this temperament. They may be regarded as somewhat exagger- 
ated types, and still the top one is really a Fig. ITS. 
very correct profile of the Rev. Dr. Rhein- 

stadt. I desire to make the illustrations as ptiTW " <C *^^V V 

marked as possible in giving what might be 
regarded as a pure representative of this tern- ^o 
perament, gr IMMJl r #{ 

It is proper to remark here, that Dr. Pow- Q $WSk ~~~" h^ 

ell regarded the non- vital temperaments as f {JwV/sMm^ (<? 
secondary, and to have resulted from influ- 
ences incidental to civilization. He consid- /^/V 
ered the bilious arid sanguine as the primi- hiifevf^s^^?^ 
tive temperaments, or those which presented \\jS? f — "Xm^^* 
themselves exclusively in the human family y^Z" * ^^ 
in its primitive state. "The non-vital tern- V\ 
peraments," he remarked, "were not native «d 
to humanity, nor could they strictly be re- \>& ^PsSBB? 
garded as temperaments ; but, as physiolo- ^ 
gists have always so treated of the lymphatic, 
and as the other is essentially like unto it, 
and further, as they are normal under the cir- 
cumstances of their existence, and conform to 
all the laws of the temperaments," ho thought 
"it best to continue to regard them as tem- 
peraments. The fact as to how they are 
regarded matters nothing provided we under- } 
stand them." 

11 1 assume," this author further remarked, 
" wealth to be a result of civilization, because 
it i3 universally conceded to be. health in- 
duces a relaxation from toil, and induces encephalic temperament. 
many indulgences which enervate the vital forces, thus inducing a lyn> 
phatic repletion of the cellular tissue. In this wise I have observed many 
people to become considerably lymphatic in a few years, and this condition, 




812 ADAPTATION IN MAERIAaE. 

when produced, if only to a very moderate extent, becomes entailable, in the 
fbrm of a lymphatic diathesis ; and thus this condition becomes multiplied 
and disseminated. Our German emigrants appear to bring this diathesis 
with them, and by the use of ale and beer it is rapidly developed. The de» 
velopment of this condition is greatly promoted by a humid atmosphere; 
and hence the greatly lymphatic condition of the people of Holland and 
China. The humidity of the atmosphere of the gulf-coast of Louisiana and 
Mexico is doing for the people of these countries what was long since done 
for the Chinese and Hollanders. Fully developed illustrations of this con- 
dition are very few and far between in our country. A few years since I 
saw one in Pennsylvania in the person of a good-looking young woman. 
She was so lymphatic that she could not sustain her own weight in a stand- 
ing position. 

"This condition is purely adjunctive- — the accumulation of lymph in a 
vital temperament; it is, therefore, apparent that it is neither elementary 
nor primitive. It is also seen why this condition has no diagnostic complex- 
ion. If founded on the sanguine temperament, the complexion will be fair. 
English physiologists describe this temperament as having a fair complex- 
ion, but this is because in the north of Europe the sanguine temperament 
generally prevails, and the lymphatic there is founded on it ; but in the 
south of Europe the bilious temperament prevails, and those physiologists 
who have observed this condition only in the south of Europe describe it as 
having a dark complexion; but none of them appear to understand the 
essential condition of this constitution. The cognomen of lymphatic is not 
given to this condition till the lymphatic repletion obliterates all the indices 
of the fundamental condition except the complexion. It is now understood 
why the complexion of this temperament may be either fair or dark." 

How is the encephalic induced? "Care, responsibility, mental activity 
generally, and sedentary habits," continues our authority, "are as exclusively 
incidental to civilization as wealth is, and from them results the condition I 
denominate the encephalic temperament. The three former agents directly 
develop the cerebrum or nervous system of relation, to the neglect of the 
cerebellum. The cerebellum being the nervous system of animal life, the 
fourth agent, sedentary habits, directly reduce it, and thus an inequilibrium 
is induced between the two systems, aud of that character which constitutes 
the condition in question. I have observed this condition to be rapidly de- 
veloped in sanguine, bilious, and sanguine-bilious young men, who 
respectively held responsible positions in banking and commercial houses. 

"As with the lymphatic temperament, so with this — its complexion 
results from its fundamental element or condition. The title of encephalic 
does not apply till the indices of the fundamental condition are obliterated 
by the change, except the complexion. Although the lymphatic audi ence- 



WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 813 

phalic conditions are, in the abstract, exceedingly unlike, yet in one particular 
they are as exceedingly similar — both consist in a feeble vitality ; conse- 
quently, in reference to the procreative function, they are very similar — so 
similar that either may replace the other. Nevertheless I regard them both 
as being exclusively physiological, and not only indispensable to the achieve- 
ments of civilization, but to an increased average of longevity of civilized 
man." Dr. Powell continues by saying that " it was, however, the resulting 
of these two conditions, from influences incidental to civilization, that ren- 
dered our instincts an insufficient guide in relation to marriage in civilized 
society; and hence, a science of marriage became as indispensable to 
civilization as any other science incidental to it. Indeed, much more so, 
inasmuch as the perpetuity of the civilized species is involved in the marriage 
institution. The rapid increase of idiocy, imbecility, and scrofulous forms of 
disease, even in our country, most unmistakably indicates that the discovery 
of the science of marriage was not premature." 

It should not be inferred by the non-professional mind, because I have 
given female illustrations of the sanguine and lymphatic temperaments, that 
these especially appertain to that sex. or that the bilious and encephalic, 
exhibit characteristics found exclusively among men. Eacli sex shares with 
the other in manifestations of different temperaments. They are only so 
presented to give variety to the illustrations. Now, in all cases where the 
temperament is nearly or quite pure, or marked, any intelligent reader can 
judge for himself or herself, who would be a compatible companion by 
observing the following rules :— 

Rule First. — Tlie non-vital temperaments should not intermarry. That is, 
a person of the lymphatic temperament, should not marry one of the same 
temperament, or one of the encephalic temperament. Reversed, an 
individual of the encephalic temperament, should not marry one of the 
same, or one of the lymphatic temperament. I thus turn the rule about, so 
that it cannot be misunderstood by those of the dullest comprehension. A 
violation of this rule produces the following results: — In course of time 
dissatisfaction with each other, and a longing for the society and physical 
contact of those who are physically better adapted ; barrenness, or in many 
more cases, what is worse, miscarriages or children who die in infancy or 
childhood, or at the outside soon after reaching adult age. These penalties 
are inevitable if two persons of clearly marked non-vital temperaments 
come together in marriage. The designation "non- vital," does not signify 
that those possessing either of the temperaments coming under this head 
may not themselves be healthy and long-lived ; but it does mean, that when 
united in marriage they cannot impart vital tenacity to offspring. 

Rum Second. — The intermarriage of the vital temperaments, to the 



814 ADAPTATION IN MAKMAGE. 

extent that one of the bilious temperaments may unite with one of the 
sanguine, is admissible, though not as favorable as the marriage of one of 
these temperaments with one having a good share of one of the non -vital 
temperaments. The marriage of one of the sanguine with another of the 
sanguine, or one of the bilious with another of the bilious temperament, is 
incompatible. The penalty for the violation of this rule is mutual dissatis- 
faction, sooner or later, between husband and wife, and the production of 
offspring liable to inflammatory, nervous, and febrile diseases, nor is lon- 
gevity usually characteristic of the offspring of this sort of marriage. When 
neither of the non-vital temperaments is exhibited on one side, it will be 
found that the offspring have too much intensity, and where this quality 
exists excessively, it makes the constitution less enduring, and the children 
of such parents are more subject to nervous disorders and lunacy. 

Rule Third. — If of the sanguine temperament, marry one having one- 
third or more of either of the non-vital temperaments, the balance being of 
the bilious ; if of the bilious temperament, marry one having at least one- 
third of either of the non-vital temperaments, the balance being, of the 
sanguine. If of the lymphatic temperament, marry one having not less 
than one-half of one or both of the vital temperaments, with eyes, hair, and 
skin of opposite complexion to your own ; if of the encephalic temperament, 
marry one having not less than one-half of one or both of the vital tempera- 
ments, with complexion of hair, eyes, and skin opposite your own. 

The foregoing rules would seem to be plain enough for a guide in cases 
where there is not too much of a combination of all the temperaments in 
one person. In some cases the combinations may be such that a novice 
could not, if his life depended upon it, tell which one of the temperaments 
predominated in any given case of this class. These combinations are, 
however, faithfully described by Dr. Powell, who remarked, that as he could 
distinguish them readily in denuded skulls, others, without his experience 
and observation, might do so with the living subjects before them, if the 
following descriptions are sufficiently studied: — 

The Mixture of Two Temperaments : — 

I. The Sanguine and Bilious Compound. — "This constitution,'* remarks 
our authority, "is distinguished by a head that is usually less than the 
average in size, but of a more dense or compact appearance ; by coarse, 
brown hair, which frequently passes into black; grayish-blue eyes, which, 
as the hair is darker, are of a darker blue ; the skin, when not exposed to 
the light, is very fair, but under exposure acquires a tan color; the person 
is lean and very firm, or dense ; and in proportion, size, or weight, this i« 
the strongest and most muscular constitution known to our species. Th* 
forehead recedes a little, and becomes more narrow as it rises above tha 



WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 



815 




temples; the nose is not usually large, but of the Grecian form, unless the 
bilious element greatly predominates, and then it is long and slender — as 
with Otho the Great ; or else it is 
large and Roman ed — as with the 
Duke of Wellington and Gen. Jackson. 
u When the bilious element is 
Xanthous, the brown hair will be re- 
placed by sandy or yellow, and the 
black by red. In this class, the fea- 
tures are usually sharp; the lips are 
of medium thickness. As excellent 
illustrations of this constitution. I 
can cite Alfred the Great, of England. 
The late Alexander Hamilton, Major- 
General J. C. Fremont, Otho the 
Great, Wellington, and Gen. Jackson 
were of the more bilious variety of 
this constitution." 

The annexed illustration gives so 
nearly a front view of the face, it 
might be imagined that the General 
had some of the qualities of the 
encephalic temperament, but his forehead, instead of running up squarely 

on each side, retreated in those direc- 
tions, and with this understanding the 
portrait should be viewed. Dr. Powell, 
as will be observed by the reader, 
classifies him among those possessing 
the sanguine and bilious tempera- 
ments. 

II. Sanguine and Lymphatic Com- 
pound. — '"This temperament or combi- 
nation is distinguished usually by a 
comparatively low stature, broad 
shoulders, comparatively soft flesh, a 
broad and relatively short head, light 
hair, fair skin, and lightly grayish 
blue eyes. The forehead is broad, 
moderately elevated, without expan- 
sion at the top. The nose, usually, is 
neither large nor long-generally 
Sanguine and Lymphatic Compound, straight on the back— a little snubbed, 



GEN. JACKSON. 

Sanguine and Bilious Compound 




816 



ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 




or recurved. The outline of the person is full and plump, and the back of 
the neck and base of the brain, broad. This temperament has a strong ten- 
Fig. 181. dency to sensuality. A few of this 
class," continues Powell, " have meri- 
toriously become distinguished ; but 
many have, for their vices and crimes ; 
and of these, the most distinguished 
was Nero. Daniel Defoe was neither 
good nor great, but 'Robinson Cru- 
soe,' of which he was the author, is 
a good thing. The late Chief- Justice 
Story, of Massachusetts, ornamented 
this class." 

III. The Sanguine and Encepha- 
lic Compound. — "This constitution 
is distinguished by light hair, fair 
skin, lightly grayish-blue eyes, per- 
son spare, and the flesh rather soft. 
People of this class are not remark- 
able for muscular strength or endu 
ranee. The forehead is more than 
usually vertical, and expands, as it 
rises above the temples. The nose is of moderate size, and usually 
straight on the back; but when the sanguine element predominates, 
the nose is larger, and considerably aquiline ; when the encephalic predom- 
inates, it is slender, and more or less recurved, or of the celestial form. 
The lips are moderately thin. The only temperament with which this 
can be confounded is the sanguine; but such an error should never 
happen, because it could only be by carelessness, and in marriage it 
would be highly disastrous. In this constitution the muscular system is 
less developed, the forehead is more vertical, and is expanded down the 
temples, while in the sanguine it contracts. As illustrations of this tem- 
perament, I can cite the late Benjamin West, historical painter; the late 
Bishop White, of Philadelphia ; the late Bishop Doane, of New Jersey, I 
believe ; and the late General George Rogers Clarke, of the Western Mili- 
tary District." 

IY. The Bilious and Lymphatic Compound. — u This constitution is 
distinguished by a full habit of the body, soft flesh, brown hair and eyes, 
a brownish or brunette complexion ; the head is considerably globular, the 
cheeks rather ponderous; the nose is of average size — rather short and 
Stubbed or recurved, but occasionally it has the pure bilious form— aqui« 



BENJ. WEST, 

Sanguine and Encephalic Compound. 



WHAT \S PHYSICAL ADAPTATION"? 



81T 



line. As illustrations of this constitution, I may cite Mr. Barnum, of 
New York; General McDowell; General N. Greene, of Revolutionary 
distinction ; General Paez, of South Fig. 1S2. 

America ; Judge Nelson, of Oregon ; 
Ex-President Fillmore — of the xan- 
thous variety." 

T. The Bilious and Encephal- 
ic Compound. — "This," remarks Dr. 
Powell, " is the constitution Hippoc- 
rates denominated the melancholic. 
It is distinguished by rather fine and 
brown hair, brown eyes, and a dark 
or brunette complexion. The person 
13 spare or lean, and the flesh is mod- 
erately firm. The temples are usu- 
ally depressed ; the forehead usually 
recedes but little, but has invariably 
its superior third expanded. The 
nose is usually straight on the back, 
but frequently it is aquiline. "When 
the bilious element is xanthous, the 




P. T. BARNUM. 

Bilious and Lymphatic Compound. 



hair has some shade of red, and the complexion is florid. This constitu- 
tion can only be confounded with the bilious, which it much resembles in 



Fig. 1SS. 




DR. WILLIAM Tl\VT) POWHLL. 

Bilious and Enoegb&Uj: Compound. 
35 



person and complexion; but in the 
bilious, the forehead recedes much, and 
contracts above the temples as it 
rises ; but in this it recedes less ; but, 
above all, it expands as it rises above 
the temples. This temperament is con- 
siderably more masculine and enduring 
than its cousin, the sanguine-encephalic. 
As representatives of this constitution, I 
may cite Lord Bacon, in whom the bil- 
ious element was xanthous; Christopher 
Columbus ; the late Dr, Samuel George 
Morton, of Pennsylvania; the late 
Professor John D. Gadman, of New 
York ; and the late Professor Charles 
Caldwell, of Louisville, Ky." Dr. Powell 
classed himself under this head, and I 
give herewith a portrait of this gentle- 
man, taken from his own work on the 



818 



ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 



temperaments. This illustration will be more satisfactory to the read- 
er, than one taken from any one of the other gentlemen named 
as representing the bilious and encephalic compound, as it will be 
pleasing to the interested reader to see the face of one who gave so much 
attention to this branch of physiological science. 

The Mixtwre of Three Temperaments : — 

I. The Sanguine, Bilious, and Lymphatic Compound. — "This com- 
pound is distinguished by a full habit of the body, tolerably firm flesh, 
coarse brown hair, darkly grayish-blue eyes, head generally large; the 
altitude of the person is frequently six feet. The complexion of the hair, 
eyes, and skin in this, is precisely that of the sanguine -bilious temperament, 
and it is because the only difference between them is that this has lymph, 
and that has none ; and lymph has no influence on the complexion — it may 
obtain as copiously in a black skin as in a white one ; and further, this tem- 
perament is always founded on the sanguine-bilious. It is, therefore, but 
a modification of the sanguine-bilious, but regarded as a temperament." 

"The capacity of tnis class of people," says Br. P., "for muscular power 
and action is truly wonderful, when we contemplate the large quantity of 
lymph they carry. The most powerful men in our species obtain with this 
class ; a very large majority of the champions of the English prize-ring have 

been of this constitution ; the truth 
of this statement is verified by the 
English Boxiana. The refinements of 
civilization do not originate in this 
class. It has not even the luxury of 
a handsome woman ; but some of its 
women are fine-looking, and so are 
many of its men. For the weightier 
achievements of civilization, this 
class furnishes its full quota of help. 
Representatives of this class are to be 
found in every situation between the 
great indicator of civilization, the gal- 
lows, and the thrones of empires. The 
forehead in this temperament, like the 
sanguine-bilious, recedes but little ; 
is broad at the temples, but narrow at 
its superior third. As representa- 
tives of this constitution I can cite 
Peter the Great, of Russia; George 



Fig. 184. 




MINOR BOTTS. 



Sanguine, Bilious, and Lymphatic Com- 
pound. 



IV., of England; Sir Charles James 



WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 



819 



Fox ; the late S. A. Douglas ; Jenny Lind ; Queen Anne, of England : the 
late reverend gentleman who was executed in New Jersey for the murder 



Fig. 185. 




RUBENS, THE PAINTER. 

Sanguine, Bilious, and Encephalic Com- 
pound. 



of his wife ; the late Stephen Girard, 
of Philadelphia; J. Minor Botts, of 
Yirginia ; General Putnam, of Revolu- 
tionary distinction ; General Shields ; 
the late General Nelson, of Kentucky ; 
Dr. Laray, the military surgeon of 
the first Napoleon ; Lord Byron ; and 
J. C. Heenan, the American cham- 
pion." 

II. The Sanguine, Bilious, and 
Encephalic Compound. — "This con- 
stitution is distinguished by precisely 
the same complexion of the hair, 
eyes, and skin, that distinguishes the 
preceding temperament. That part of 
the head behind the ears, and especial- 
ly the lower part of it, is not so large, 
but the front-head, and the upper portion thereof, is larger. The person is 
slender, but muscular if given to exercise, but not strong ; the features are 
JFig. 186. sharp ; the nose is less than the aver- 

age size, usually straight on the back, 
but occasionally it is sharply aquiline ; 
the lips are thin and flexible; the 
chin pointed. In this constitution the 
circulatory and respiratory functions 
are not vigorously manifested. This 
constitution is particularly liable to 
nervous congestion of the brain. In 
this temperament the temples are de- 
pressed, and the forehead expands as 
it rises above the temples. The only 
temperament with which this can bo 
confounded i3 the sanguine-bilious, 
and in person, features, and complex- 
ion, they greatly resemble. But in 
this the forehead is superiorly expai: U 
ed, and in that it is superiorly con- 
tracted; or in other words, in the 
sanguine, bilious, and encephalic com- 
pound, the forehead enlarges above 




Sanguine, 



BIB WALTEB 8COTT. 

Encephalic, and 
Compound. 



Lymphatic 



820 



ADAPTATION IK MARRIAGE. 



the temples ; whereas, in the sanguine and bilious, it contracts above the 
temples, without again enlarging. As illustrations of the temperament 
I may cite Canova, the sculptor; Yandyke, the painter; Rubens, the 
painter; Lord Macaulay; Lieutenant Id graham; and the late General 
Lyon. This temperament," remarks Dr. Powell, " is sometimes a result of 
incompatible marriage, and dies of consumption." 

III. The Sanguine, Encephalic, and Lymphatic Compound. — "This 
temperament, like the sanguine and sanguine-lymphatic temperaments, is 
distinguished by light hair, fair skin, and lightly grayish-blue eyes; the 
bodily habit is full and soft ; the stature of the person is frequently more 
than six feet. This class ornaments the species ; it is truly elegant, highly 
adapted to literature, and, of all the temperaments, this most ornaments 
the pulpit ; but it is not generally adapted to the rugged pursuits of life, 
nor even to the development of science. The only temperament with which 
this can be confounded is the sanguine-lymphatic; but in this the fore- 
head is three stories high, and the third is as capacious as the first ; in 
that, the forehead is but two stories high, and the first is the more ca- 
pacious. In this, the upper third of the forehead is expanded; in that, 
it is contracted. The mistaking one for the other would not produce a 



Fig. 187. 




DANTEL WEBSTER. 

Bilious, Encephalic, and Lymphatic Compound, 



constitutional incompatibili- 
ty, but it would be an un- 
pleasant mistake, because 
this is superior to that with 
reference to children. As 
illustrations of this tempera- 
ment, I can cite Dr. Frank- 
lin; the Hon. L. Cass; Rev. 
Theodore Clapp ; Addison, 
of the Spectator; Judge 
Blackstone, author of the 
* Commentaries :' Sir Walter 
Scott." 

IV. The Bilious, Ence- 
phalic, and Lymphatic 
Compound. — "This," ejacu- 
lates Dr. Powell, "is a mag- 
nificent variety of our spe- 
cies. It is not so ornamental 
and chaste as the preceding, 
but more capable of great 
achievements ; it produces a 



WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 821 

more energetic or masculine character ; and of the brunette attractions of 
masculinity, those of this temperament are the most splendid. This temper- 
ament is distinguished by brown hair and eyes, and a dark complexion; 
a full habit of the body, with a tall stature generaDy. The forehead is tall, 
large and expanded in the upper part, and this feature distinguishes this 
temperament from the bilious-lymphatic. The nose is of average size, 
occasionally aquiline, but most frequently straight on the back; I have 
seen it a little recurved, and also a little pugged. This temperament is fre- 
quently distinguished by a high order of genius. As illustrations of this 
constitution, I may cite Nicholas, late Emperor of Russia, who in his time 
was probably the finest-looking man in Europe; the late Hon. Daniel 
Webster; the late Prince Albert; Prof. Agassiz; Dr. J. F. Gall; Gen. Garland; 
Gen. Curtis ; Alexander I. of Russia." 

TJie Mixture of Four Temperaments: — 

L The Sanguine, Bilious, Encephalic, and Lymphatic Compound. — 
''This class," remarks Powell, "has a head iu size and form considerably 
resembling that of the highly encephalic, except that the cerebellum, or 
back head, in the combination is large, and in the purely encephalic, is small. 
In the combination, too, the head is more developed about the ears. The 
head in this combination has, furthermore, more the appearance of com- 
pactness and more symmetry of form, than those of the two preceding classes 
marked HI. and IT. The two preceding have foreheads as tall and broad, but 
not so deep, though more expanded in the upper story. The posterior lobes 
of the cerebrum, or front head, are not so broad, but are more elongated in 
this class than in the two preceding. The complexion of this class Is very 
various, sometimes quite dark. The hair is usually brown, but it may 
be yellow; the eyes are usually of a dark bluish gray, as in the san-. 
guine, encephalic, and bilious combination. These two classes correspond 
very closely in complexion, but no further. This has a fuller habit of 
body; a less irregular head and body; is of higher stimulus; and has 
more vital force. The complexion may pass from dark to florid, depend- 
ing upon the sanguine and bilious elements ; the latter consisting of two 
varieties, the dark and xanthous. There are," remarks Dr. Powell, "many 
very inferior men in this class, as in all others. Nevertheless, for great 
achievements, we regard this as the most promising that can obtain in the 
race." One of the most marked representatives of this combination of 
four temperaments is the first Napoleon, whose picture is presented on the 
following page. 

In all cases where this combination is evenly balanced, it must of course 
possess twenty-five per cent, of each temperament. It is, therefore, hair 
vital aud half non-vital. This being the case, a person having this combina- 



822 



ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 



tion would do best to marry one who is a pure representative of some one of 
the temperaments. 

"The first Napoleon, and his wife, Josephine,' ' remarks Dr. Powell, 
" were to ordinary observers very unlike ; he had a full habit of the body, 
Fig. 188. and his constitution was compounded 

of all the temperaments ; hence he was 
half vital, and half non-vital. The per- 
son of his wife was spare, or lean, 
and her constitution was bilious and 
encephalic — consequently, half vital 
and half non-vital ; hence she and the 
emperor were practically the same, and 
sterility was the result." " The second 
wife of the first Napoleon," remarks 
the same writer, " was sanguine, bil- 
ious, and encephalic, and by having no 
lymph in her constitution, there was 
an appreciable difference between hw 
constitution and that of the emperor ; 
and this difference brought them a 
son, but the difference was not suffi- 
cient to secure him from a scrofulous 
constitution, nor a scrofulous death 
before adult age." While a nice combi- 
nation of the temperaments favors the 
physical and mental completeness of any man or woman, it also renders 
them liable to mistakes in marriage, in consequence of which, it is a pro- 
verbial fact, that comparatively few cf our great men or great women have 
children that are viable or smart. Dr. Powell cites, as further personal 
illustrations of the sanguine, bilious, encephalic, and lymphatic combina- 
tion, Caius Julius Caesar, and Mr. Whitney, of New York, of Pacific and 
Atlantic Railroad notoriety, and also Alexander the Great. 

The non-professional reader, after giving the foregoing compound tempera- 
ments a cursory perusal, may come out at the end as confused as a man, 
who, lost in the woods, emerges therefrom with his imaginary points of com- 
pass all askew in their aspects to the sun. He may throw down the book 
with disgust — exclaim, " Pshaw ! Who in the world can ever obtain practical 
knowledge of the temperaments?" But sit down a minute; scratch your 
head a little ; rub your brow ; or, get up and stretch your arms and shoulders, 
and then quietly sit down again, and make up your mind to study this 
thing. It must be remembered that to be a good reader of the tempera- 
ments, they must be thoroughly studied, and not simply perused once or 




NAPOLEON THE FIRST. 

The above represents the four combina- 
tions of temperament : the Sanguine, the 
Bilious, the Encephalic, and Lymphatic. 



WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION i 393 

twice. Nor yet will study alone suffice ; the descriptions well impressed 
upon the mind must be daily applied to the world full of moving beings 
about you. By these means only can one become proficient in deciding fine 
points in a question of compatibility of those having the temperaments 
much mixed or compounded ; and it is for this reason that the means I shall 
recommend for guarding the front door of marriage, should be instituted by 
the advocates of the monogamic system of marriage at once. No time can 
safely be lost. It is to be hoped that the science of temperaments may be 
taught in the schools, in the place of some of the "namby-pamby " accom- 
plishments, in order that young men and women may be able to judge for 
themselves what unions are fit to be made ; but, until an era of more 
general knowledge upon these matters is reached, it seems necessary to 
adopt other means, which, at first glance, may appear tyrannical. 

The importance of temperamental adaptation is argued by Dr. Powell, by 
the presentation of facts coming under his observation of whofe families of 
children dying in infancy, or before reaching adult age, in consequence of 
the incompatible mating of the parents, — in some instances, of ten or a 
dozen. Since acquainting myself with his classification and descriptions of 
temperaments, and making application of them, so many marked cases have 
come under my observation, corroborative of his theories, and the entire 
probability of his alleged facts, that it really seems surprising that medical 
men had not been awakened earlier to the importance of the temperaments, 
and the laws appertaining thereto in marriage and reproduction. In my pub- 
lications, some eleven or twelve years ago, I gave some general rules in re- 
gard to this matter, which, I trust, have done some good, and by following 
them there was no great liability to mistake ; but, with the advanced infor- 
mation furnished by Dr. Powell, it would seem as if there should be no mis- 
take in any instance whatever. In the absence of general knowledge, the 
family physician should be a guide to the young £>eople of the family he pro- 
fessionally visits and advises. If he tells you that the temperaments are all 
nonsense, ascribe it to a want of intuition, in perceiving and applying the 
principles of the science. A man may make a good surgeon who has not a 
perceptive brain, but no man should be attending the sick and administering 
to them medicines who is not perceptive and intuitive. You may easily 
pick out perceptive men. The forehead just over the eyes is prominent or 
projecting, giving to the front head generally a receding appearance. A man 
with a large front brain, without this conformation, may, however, if he have 
the patience to do so, study the temperaments, and learn how to apply tho 
knowledge he obtains. But he must have patience. At the outset, such 
men are likely to denounce the whole thing as a humbug. 

Not a single instance of sweeping infantile mortality in any family to 
which my attention has been called, has been difficult of explanation under 



824 ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 

the rules of temperamental adaptation as presented by Powell. Kay, more 
— a thorough acquaintance with them will give to any clear-headed person 
seeming prophetic power in predicting not only the longevity of the offspring 
in any given case of marriage, but, in many instances, the diseases to which 
the offspring will be liable. For instance, if the encephalic temperament 
predominates in each, there will be a liability to brain difficulties, especially 
dropsy of the brain ; in cases where the lymphatic temperament predomi- 
nates in each, there will be a tendency to dropsy of the abdomen, or affec- 
tions of the bowels, or glandular difficulties ; when the vital temperaments 
predominate in each, the progeny will be susceptible to inflammatory, fever- 
ish, nervous, and spasmodic affections. 

Many people who come together in perfect health, are surprised that they 
cannot have children ; or if the children be fat and sleek-looking, that they 
cannot manage to raise any of them; or, if they manage to nurse them 
along beyond the years of minority, that they die at an early adult age. It 
is common, too, to mistake vitality for vital tenacity. A child or an adult 
may be strong, full of rich red blood, and possessed of all outward indica- 
tions of health, and yet the first breath of disease sweeps them away. 
"Why? Because, although they possessed vitality, they were deficient in 
vital tenacity. The first consists in those constitutional qualities which give 
a person a robust appearance, and the latter is that quality which renders 
one enduring. A person may possess both vitality and vital tenacity, or he 
may be deficient of vitality and live to a ripe age, notwithstanding occasional 
or frequent attacks of disease. "Without vital tenacity, a person with every 
outward indication of vigor, or one deficient of this indication, will be easily 
carried off by an epidemic or the slightest attack of disease. A horse is 
stronger than a man, — gives indications of a greater degree of vigor and vital- 
ity ; but, after all, he lacks vital tenacity, for the average age of this animal is 
not more than one-fourth the average age of man. But it is not necessary to 
leave the human family for illustrations of this proposition. Every reader 
who has lived on this mundane sphere a score of years, can, with a little ex- 
ercise of the organ of memory, recollect persons of full vigor and vitality 
having died at an apparently youthful age, while other persons, whom their 
mothers and great-grandmothers supposed were in a dying condition for 
seventy-five j'ears, still remain to creep up the steps of the village church 
every Sunday morning. Here, then, is the difference between vitality and 
vital tenacity strikingly exemplified. 

Dr. Toweirs observations for a quarter of a century, as related in his 
writings, led him irresistibly to the conclusion that vital tenacity in offspring 
is dependent upon proper physical or temperamental adaptation in the par- 
ents ; while vitality, according to my own observations, is dependent mainly 
upon the physical condition of the parents at the moment of conception. 






WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 825 

Vitality may even appear in the children of those who are badly mated in 
temperament, provided the parents were in good health at the moment the 
two germs united ; but without the adaptation we are speaking of, the chil- 
dren will not be viable or long-lived. On the other hand, sickly parents 
who are well mated in temperament may have offspring gifted with longev- 
ity ; if much out of health at the time of conception, the children will how- 
ever, in most cases go through life with impaired health. Instances have 
come under the author's observation, wherein short-lived parents, when 
united according to the laws of physical adaptation, have had viable chil- 
dren, who gave promise of living much beyond the age of their progenitors; 
but long-lived ancestry, combined with temperamental adaptation, better 
favors the longevity of offspring. Nevertheless, a sturdy ancestry fails to 
influence the longevity of its descendants if the laws of adaptation are dis- 
regarded in marriage. 

Dr. Powell believed, after careful study and observation, that he had 
discovered a rule for determining the vital tenacity of an individual. " The 
animo- vital function,'' he claimed, " depended upon the cerebellum, or back 
brain, and the vegeto- vital upon the inferior and anterior portions of the 
middle lobes of the cerebrum, or front brain," and by certain measurements 
he felt confident he could predict with certainty whether or not a person 
possessed that vital tenacity which insured longevity. From my own 
observations for several years, I believe Dr. Powell to have been correct, and 
that he has left a rule of this kind, which it would be well for the profession 
to become familiar with by a perusal of his publications ; but such is the 
morbid curiosity of people upon a question of this kind in its bearings upon 
themselves, I doubt the expediency of presenting it in a popular work, for 
not only would all sorts of mistakes ensue through want of ability to decide 
correctly so nice a point, but many would absolutely be frightened to death 
if they found on examination that they were deficient in what Poweil 
denominated the ; ' life-line." Persons having the indications of short life 
would be likely to die many years earlier than they otherwise would, by 
being made aware of the fact. For the physician, the knowledge of such a 
rule will the better enable him to judge as to which of his patients requires 
the most watchful attention, and to such he may give advice which will 
enable them to make the most of what vital tenacity they possess. 

^Ve will return to the subject of the temperaments, the importance of a 
knowledge of which is not only demonstrated by my own daily observations, 
but by those of other observing medical men with whom I am personally 
acquainted. Dr. Powell had a confirmation of his views in a reply made to 
him by a medical correspondent. ;i I have,"' says Dr. Powell, "estimated that 
five-sevenths of our marriages are more or less physiologically incompatible. 
This explains the rapid increase in our country of asylums for the care of 
33* 



826 ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 

idiotic and imbecile children, and also of juvenile mortality. In the winter 
of 1860 the New York Ledger informed its readers that three hundred and 
6eventy-four children more than were born, died in that city the preceding 
year. I wrote to a medical correspondent for the cause of this mortality. 
He responded: 'You know more about it than any one else, as physio- 
logically incompatible marriage is the rule in this, and physiological mar- 
riage is the exception.' *' 

One of the difficulties encountered in monogamic marriage is to preserve 
compatibility. A man and woman may carefully study the temperaments, 
and may marry in obedience to the laws governing them, and yet, in less 
than ten years — in some cases in less than five — it will be found that the 
temperament of one or both may have so changed that their union not only 
yields no pleasure, but no enduring offspring. It will be seen in some 
cases that the first children of a marriage are viable, or enduring, while 
those born in after years die in infancy or childhood. How is this ? Well, 
let us see. Mr. John Smith is a fair representative of the sanguine tem- 
perament. He is a spare man, with blue eyes, fair skin, and the outline 
appertaining to one of the temperament designated. He marries Miss 
Dorothy Jones, who presents in her person a good specimen of the lym- 
phatic and sanguine compound. She is what is commonly called fat. This 
mating is very good to start with ; but it may be spoiled by time and cir- 
cumstance. How ? Mr. Smith may adopt a sedentary life, live luxuriously, 
and thereby develop the lymphatic temperament in his person. This will 
destroy the former compatibility ; or, Mr. Smith may not change at all, but 
Mrs. Smith may encounter hardships in her new position which will eradi- 
cate her lymph, and bring her down to the figure and temperament of Mr. 
Smith. Here, then, compatibility is lost, and children born under either of 
these changed conditions will lack vital tenacity. Again, Mr. John Brown 
may be a tall, thin, flat-chested representative of the bilious temperament. 
He marries Miss Semanthia Bigsbey, who is a rotund lady — " fat and jolly," 
as the people would say, and lymphatic, as the physiologists would call her. 
Mr. Brown enters a counting-room, where he is obliged to do much brain 
work, and carry upon his shoulders a great amount of responsibility. Pretty 
soon his forehead, especially if he be a young man, will begin to change 
from that indicating one of the bilious to one indicating the presence of 
the encephalic temperament. The non-vital temperaments now predom- 
inate in each person, and incompatibility is the inevitable result. Mr. 
"Wilkins may have the sanguine, bilious, and lymphatic compound, and his 
estimable lady may be of the sanguine and bilious compound. He is one- 
third or more lymphatic, and she is purely vital, and the union is conse- 
quently compatible. But Mr. "W*. sees hard times; he is harassed; loses 
his money and good clothes; gets into a business tread-mill, which ex- 



WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 827 

hausts all Lis lymph. He may have had viable children during the early 
part of his married life, but now he feels that "luck is against him," and he 
murmuringly quotes the trite refrain, "It never rains but it pours;" for, 
besides all his business disasters, all his little new-born pets die, or give 
evident signs of early mortality. They are, at the very best, victims to all 
sorts of maladies : and, with sickness at home, and vexation in his busi- 
ness, Mr. "Wilkins feels that life has few attractions. It is safer for one 
having the indications of a pure sanguine temperament to marry one hav- 
ing the dark eyes, brunette skin, and general physical make-up of a bilious 
temperament, with a little additional of cne of the non-vital temperaments. 
But, supposing in the latter the non- vital element increases to fifty per 
cent., and in course of time the one with the sanguine temperament begins 
to grow lymphatic, and finally settles down upon a basis of fifty per cent. 
vital, and fifty per cent, non-vital. Here, again, temperamental compati- 
bility has been outgrown, and there will be no offspring, or, if any are 
born, they will die young. 

Considering, then, the liability of married people to outgrow compatibility 
by constitutional changes, they should guard against them, when congeni- 
ality primarily exists. If one is developing too much lymph, turn to active 
business or physical exercise that will keep it down ; if one is developing 
too much of the encephalic temperament, turn to those out-of-door and phy- 
sical occupations and animal indulgences that will build up the vital 
ami diminish the non- vital elements of the constitution. 

'We have to speak of another class who are not so fortunate as to have 
formed compatible marriage in the first place. In some of these cases we 
shall see that they could not have children at all at first ; but, after a while, 
a weakly specimen of humanity makes its appearance, flickers like a candle 
in a breeze, and finally, poor thing, goes out. Another comes along in a 
year or two which may show better signs of health and long life ; this may, 
or may not live ; but, in the course of a few years, we may be surprised to 
find this couple bearing healthy and viable offspring. How is this ? Why 
the changes which have taken place in the constitutions of these parties 
Aave brought about temperamental compatibility. Good ! How I wish this 
would often happen. The reason why it does not, is, that married people, 
t)y frequent contact with each other, are more liable to grow similar than 
diverse in their constitutions, and physical similarity, be it remembered, is 
just what we are opposing, because it leads to incompatibility, while physical 
diversity gives to the married pair compatibility. 

Those incompatibly mated at the outset, would do better to live much of 
the time apart. If both possess one of the vital temperaments, one of the 
parties should try to develop one of the non- vital temperaments. If young, 
the husband may develop an encephalic element, by taking upon himself a 



828 ADAPTATION IN MARRIAGE. 

business or profession which will exercise and enlarge the front brain, and 
decrease the vital elements. Or, the one which may be reasonably sup? 
posed from circumstances of parentage to have a germ of the lymphatic 
temperament, by physical inaction, high living, and residing in an atmos- 
phere which is humid or moist, may develop the lymphatic condition 
sufficiently to make the union compatible and fruitful. The remarks as to 
how the non- vital temperaments are induced, or engrafted upon the vital 
temperaments, immediately following the descriptions of the non-vital tem- 
peraments, will be useful to people of this class. 

If both the parties to a marriage have a preponderance of the non-vital 
temperaments, diversity may best be obtained if the lymphatic exists on 
either side, by the one who is lymphatic resorting to physical avocations 
which will work off the lymph. If both are encephalic, the one who possesses 
this temperament to the least degree should resort to that active physical 
occupation, and that cultivation of the appetites and passions, which will 
develop vital and diminish non- vital characteristics. 

Those who are not already married, may better start right at the outset. 
It is easier to maintain temperamental adaptation than to acquire it, and this, 
in some instances, is peculiarly difficult, as nearly all people who have been 
married for ten or twenty years can attest. Frequent physical contact, 
sleeping together, cohabiting, breathing the atmosphere of the same dwell- 
ing, eating at the same table, and often of the same kind and quality of 
food, etc., greatly tend to produce constitutional similarity ; so much so, that 
it is not uncommon for the good neighbors to say that Mr. and Mrs. 
So-and-so look alike, when at the wedding of the two, no one present 
entertained such a thought. 

Dr. Powell numbers the temperaments consecutively, and then gives the 
appended directions in selecting a compatible companion. 

1. Sanguine. 8. Bilious-lymphatic. 

2. Bilious. 9. Bilious-encephalic. 

3. Lymphatic. 10. Sanguine-bilious-lymphatic. 

4. Encephalic. 11. Sanguine-bilious-encephalic. 

5. Sanguine-bilious. 12. Sanguine-encephalo-lymphatic. 

6. Sanguine-lymphatic. 13. Bilious-encephalo-lymphatic. 

7. Sanguine-encephalic. 14. Sanguine-encephalo-bilious-lymphatic. 

"The temperaments 1, 2, and 5, are respectively compatible with all of 
the other temperaments, respectively. In all marriages contracted with a 
view to, or a hope of a soundly viable progeny, one of the parties must have 
the constitution of 1, 2, or 5, and the other party must as certainly have 
the constitution of some one of the remaining temperaments. That is, one 
party being 1, 2, or 5, the other must be 3, 4, 6, 1 } 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14," 



WHAT IS PHYSICAL ADAPTATION? 829 

With the foregoing matter I shall close what I have to say upon the tem- 
peramental portion of what constitutes physical adaptation. If the reader 
cannot solve, by a careful examination of what has been said, for him or 
herself, some question which may arise of vital interest, correspondence 
may be opened with the author, or a personal interview obtained in rela- 
tion thereto, by remitting or paying a fee of five dollars as compensation 
for time and labor in making the necessary examinations and explanations. 
Since the first issue of this book, for my own satisfaction, much gratuitous 
work of this kind has been cordially done, but the author's time has become 
so much of an item, that he cannot give attention to consultations of this 
character without remuneration equal to that which he would receive if 
devoting the same to the usual duties of his profession. In those portions 
of this essay quoted from Dr. Powell, I have somewhat changed the phra- 
seology, in order to make the science of the temperaments as plain as 
possible. But there will doubtless be cases, in which there will exist such 
combinations of temperaments, that the reader contemplating marriage will 
prefer to have the advice of a physician who has given attention to this 
branch of physiology, before taking so important a step. 

On opening this essay, I spoke of magnetic adaptation as forming a part 
of physical adaptation ; and, in the next place, of temperamental adaptation, 
as necessary for physical adaptation. One more quality of fitness is neces- 
sary to perfect physical adaptation, and that is local adaptation. As I have 
presented this matter with illustrations in the chapter entitled, " Hints to 
the Childless 1 ' (see page 490), it is unnecessary for me to do more than sug- 
gest it in this place. I have no remedy. As observed in a paragraph among 
the " Historical Chips,'' on page 6S0, it used to be the practice to examine 
the procreative organs of candidates for matrimony before allowing them 
to enter ; but a practice of this kind would be considered more useful than 
proper nowadays. Whether it might be possible and best to revive this 
old custom under a system such as that which I propose in the next chap- 
ter, I leave it to the good sense of the public to decide. 

In conclusion, allow me to remind the reader of the importance of both 
mental and physical adaptation ; not only because it promotes connubial fe- 
licity, but because it insures vital endurance, physical perfection, and meDtal 
balance, in those who are to take our places, when we drop the chrysalis 
and fly to our homes. 




CHAPTER m. 

LAW SHOULD ENFORCE ADAPTATION IN MONOGAMIC 
MARRIAGE. 

OES the reader ask how ? I reply, by doing away with 
the present rotten system of legalizing marriage, and 
substituting therefor a Board of Physiologists well versed 
in the sciences of temper amer.ts, physiognomy, and phre- 
nology, composed of an equal number of males and females, 
""whose functions shall consist in the power to examine into the mental and 
physical characteristics of candidates for matrimony — to grant or refuse 
marriage licenses according to the congenialities of the parties present- 
ing themselves, and to grant divorces to those who are miserably mated 
in wedlock ; a Board of this character, to have its sittings at stated peri- 
ods in every county seat in the State, or the district to which it belongs. 
Doubtless every reader will exclaim, "How queer!" but do not, I beg you, 
denounce the suggestion until you have given it reasonable investigation. 
What does the present system of legalizing monogamic marriage amount 
to? Does it guard the marriage state from cat-and-dog companionship, or 
sustain the respectability of the institution ? Not at all. Men and women 
have only to show that they are of sufficient age to entitle thsm to enter the 
marriage relation, and forthwith they are ushered into matrimony, regardless 
of their qualifications to render each other happy. 

In this State (New York) no licenses are granted ; all that parties have 
to do is to present themselves before a priest, judge, mayor, magistrate, or 
alderman, and give notice in the presence of witnesses that they are about 
to assume the relation of husband and wife, and they are married. It is 
not even necessary to do so much as this ; if it can be proven that two per- 
sons have lived together as husband and wife, the law regards it as mar- 
riage 1 But look at the divorce laws ; it is almost impossible to dissolve the 
marriage contract, excepting for adultery, and one or two other aggravating 
causes ! The marriage regulations of this State may be appropriately com- 
pared to the devil, who is said to lead men into perplexing scrapes, and then 
leave them to extricate themselves as best they can— or, like a rat-trap ; 
always open to go in, but never open to go out 



LAW AND MAKKIAGBL 831 

In States where parties are required to obtain license before getting mar- 
ried, the system practically is no better. Candidates for matrimony have 
only to show that they are of age, and not married already, and license is 
granted on the payment of a nominal fee. I read, a few days ago, of a young 
girl in a neighboring State, who put the figure fourteen in her boots, so as to 
swear she was over that age, when application was made for license ! In 
every State in the Union, men and women can rush into matrimony ad libi- 
tum, but when once caught, they can wriggle and twist like a pig in a fence, 
but cannot get out. The result is, that monogamic countries are filled with 
adulterers and illegalized polygamists, who sustain the health and soul de- 
stroying institution of prostitution; support in splendor thousands of 
fashionable courtesans ; destroy the peace of the home circle ; people our 
cities and villages with moral and physical lepers ; fill our almshouses with 
paupers : our jails and prisons with criminals ; our hospitals with cripples, and 
our asylums with lunatics. This is so, and every physician in extensive 
practice, and every intelligent man of wide observation, knows it. How 
vitally important is it, then, that monogamic marriage, which seals the 
parties contracting it to life-long happiness or discord, and perpetuates in 
health or moral and physical deformity, the noblest work of God, should be 
wisely guarded against mismated interlopers, who inveigle each other into 
the belief that they can make each other happy, when they are entirely des- 
titute of the necessary qualifications to warrant the correctness of the 
impulsive supposition. 

"Without precaution in legalizing marriage, easy divorce will not answer. 
The present system of letting down the bars to every one who wishes to 
enter, and putting them up securely as soon as the victims are in, and the 
newly-proposed system of keeping the bars down for free ingress and egress, 
according to the changing impulses of mankind, are both lame and open 
to volumes of objections. I have briefly considered a few bearing against 
the former, and any one having half an eye can see those affecting the ex- 
pediency of the latter. In the present state of public morals, libertinism 
would run rampant if men were permitted to rush in and out of marriage at 
pleasure. No, this will not do. 

If the discoveries of science are of value to the student in pursuit 
of knowledge, and the business man in the pursuit of wealth, of how 
much more value may they become, if applied to men and women in 
pursuit of domestic happiness. It has been shown, in a previous chapter, 
that physical and mental adaptation are indispensable to a happy mar- 
riage, and it has also been indicated how adaptation may bo obtained. 

"Until phrenology was discovered," says Combe, "no index to mental 
qualities, that could be safely relied upon, was possessed, and each individual, 
in directing his conduct, was left to his own sagacity. But the natural law 



832 LAW SHOULD ENFORCE ADAPTATION 

never bended one iota to accommodate itself to that state of ignorance. 
Men suffered from unsuitable alliances (and women, too) ; and they will 
continue to do so until they shall avail themselves of the means of judg- 
ing afforded by phrenology, and act in accordance with its dictates." 

"Among the members of the medical profession," continues the same 
writer, " phrenology has many talented defenders and admirers. Pro- 
fessor Elliotson, of London, declared that ' Gall has the immortal honor 
of having discovered particular parts of the brain to be the seat of dif- 
ferent faculties, sentiments and propensities. ' Mr. Abernethy says : ' I 
readily acknowledge my inability to offer any rational objections to Gall 
and Spurzheim's system of phrenology, as affording a satisfactory ex- 
planation of the motives of human actions/ Dr. Barlow, physician to 
the Bath United Hospital and Infirmary, alludes to phrenology as a 
science in which he 'has no hesitation to avow his firm belief; and 
which, justly estimated, has more power of contributing to the welfare 
and happiness of mankind than any other with which we are acquainted/ 
Dr. Conolly, lately one of the medical professors in the London Univer- 
sity and now president of the Phrenological Society of Warwick, says : 
' I can see nothing which merits the praise of being philosophical in the 
real or affected contempt professed by so many anatomists and physiolo- 
gists for the science of phrenology.' Dr. Mackintosh says : 'Although I 
must confess that I have had neither time nor opportunity to examine 
the system of those distinguished anatomists and physiologists, Gall and 
Spurzheim, with that care and attention which the importance of the 
subject demands, and which might enable me to give a decided opinion 
respecting the truth of all its parts, yet experience and observation 
oblige me to state that much of their doctrines appear to be true, and 
that science owes a great deal to the labors of the gentlemen who have 
been engaged in phrenological inquiry/ 'The science/ says Mr. Mac- 
nish, 'is entirely one of observation; by that it must stand or fall, and 
by that alone ought it to be tested. The phrenological system appears 
to me the only one capable of affording a rational and easy explanation 
of the phenomena of mind. It is impossible to account for dreaming, 
idiocy, spectral • illusions, monomania and partial genius, in any other 
way. For these reasons, and for the much stronger one that having 
studied the science for several years with a mind rather hostile than 
otherwise to its doctrines, and found that nature invariably vindicated 
their truth, I could come to no other conclusion than that of adopting 
them as a matter of belief, and employing them for the explanation of 
phenomena which they alone seemed calculated to elucidate satisfac- 
torily. The system of Gall is gaining ground rapidly among scientific 
men. Some of the ablest physiologists have admitted its accord- 
ance with nature ; and, at this moment, it boasts a greater number 



EH MOXOGAMIC MAERIAGE. 833 

of proselytes than at any previous period of its career. The preju " 
existing against it result from ignorance of its character. As people 
get acquainted with the science, and the formidable evidence by which 
it is supported, they will think differently.' Similar passages might be 
quoted from other esteemed medical writers; but it is sufficient to add 
that Andral, one of the highest medical authorities in Europe, ws 
one time president of the Phrenological 8 Paris; that Brc 

expounded and defended the science in his lectures; that the Mi 
Chirurgieal Review, which is unquestionably at the head of the British 
medical periodicals, has for many years adopted phrenology as founded 
in nature; and that a conviction of the truth and importance of the 
science is daily forcing itself upon many. who. before making them— 
acquainted with it. were among its bitterest opponents. The simplicity 
and practical character of the phrenological philosophy have induced not 
a few to doubt the possibility of its being founded on pkysioli 
If, as has been well remarked, the truth and beauty of Gall and Spurz- 
heim's philosophical opinions be not admitted, one of two conclus: i 
inevitable. We must either grant the soundness of the organ 
from which those opinions sprung, or ascribe to the individuals who 
first taught them an amount of knowledge and talent which they would 
have blushed to hear attributed to them, and their possession of which 
is far more incredible than the entire body of phrenological science." 

Phrenology long ago ceased to be regarded as a humbug, and is now 
generally admitted to be worthy the name of a science. The Messrs. 
Fowler have exhibited commendable ability and enterprise in establish- 
ing the claims of phrenology in this country, and to them is the Ameri- 
can public mainly indebted for the advancement which this science has 
made here. Few people who have given the subject the least investiga- 
tion doubt that different phases of character are indicated by the shape 
and quality of the brain; and the correctness with which phrenolo_ 
like Prof. J. R. Buchanan, the Fowlers. Prof. Nelson Sizer. Prof. 
Beall, and some others, describe the characters of strangers by examina- 
tions of their craniums, decides the question beyond cavil. Now, why 
should not the science of phrenology be made to subserve the intei 
of mankind; and how. I ask. can it be applied more advantageously than 
in the improvement of the present objectionable system of marriage? 
Already many careful merchants resort to its expounders to aid them in 
the employment of honest clerks. Then why should not those who are 
about to take conjugal companions for life avail themselves of its teach- 
ings f A clerk may be discharged any day if he proves unsuited to his 
place. The contract between his employer and himself can be easily 
dissolved. Not so the matrimonial contract. How invaluable, then, 
the science ot phrenology can be made in regulating marriage. 



834: £AW SHOULD ENFORCE ADAPTATION. 

It has been shown in the preceding chapter how physical adaptation may 
be attained in monogamic marriage, without resorting to that experimental 
system recommended by many reformers. The law of temperaments is the 
legitimate study of physiologists, who should, and may be able to tell, as 
soon as their eyes fall upon candidates for marriage, whether they are tem- 
peramentally adapted ; and this adaptation being assured, mutual attraction, 
if not influenced by gold or family, would constitute a guaranty of magnetic 
adaptation. Then, as to local adaptation, by the co-operation of a Board 
composed equally of intelligent men and women, even this might be secured 
without indelicate exposure of person to examiners of the opposite sex. 
As observed in another place, there was a time when people were not 
allowed to marry without first submitting to an examination of their pro- 
creative organs (see page 680). It would almost seem as if a similar prac- 
tice might, with propriety, be revived, under the improved plan of regulating 
marriage suggested in this chapter. 

11 Why not," interrupts the reader, " impart to the masses the knowledge 
of temperamental and mental adaptation, and let them decide for them- 
selves who are probably suitable companions ?" I certainly can offer no 
objection to this, but do not the masses need governing in this matter 
while they are destitute of such knowledge ? Besides, a great many are too 
stupid to ever acquire it. There are persons in every State in the Union 
who cannot read and write, notwithstanding the educational advantages so 
universally enjoyed, especially in the New England and Middle States. Then, 
again, thousands of men, of unquestionable intelligence, are so completely 
engrossed in commercial and other business pursuits, that their attention 
cannot be diverted for one moment to the valuable teachings of physiology, 
phrenology, and physiognomy. 

"But," says another objector, " it would be downright tyranny for a law 
to exist which would prevent a man and woman from marrying if they were 
of mature age, and had done nothing to debar them the privilege." Would 
it ? What then can be said of a law which compels men and women to 
live together in a state of open warfare, because, in a thoughtless moment, 
they appeared before a minister, alderman, or magistrate, and united them- 
selves in wedlock? The difficulty of dissolving the marriage contract, 
when once made, is well known to everybody who has given the subject 
any attention. Now, if it is an ti- republican and unnatural to dictate in the 
choice of companions in monogamic marriage, so as to let only those unite 
who are physically and mentally capable of making each other happy, how 
much more tyrannical is it to compel men and women to live together who 
are only capable of rendering each other deplorably miserable ? In Switzer- 
land " the native of the cantons, obedient to the law of his country, seeks 
the permission of the magistrate when about to unite himself in marriage ; 



IN MONOGAMIC MARRIAGE. 835 

and his assent is only accorded when the parties axe fitted by nature, age, and 
circumstances. The consequence of this wise legislation is a hardij and 
mature race, capable of every manly effort and endurance.'' This course is 
taken without any scientific knowledge of physiology and phrenology on the 
part of the magistrate, who is rather governed by cultivated perception than 
by any definite rule which should govern the union of the sexes. Still this 
imperfect system seems to be better than that which prevails in other mono- 
gamic countries, and brings into being a better race of men and women. 
Thus it is said of the Swiss that "they are an indomitable people, who have 
preserved their independence for five hundred years, surrounded by despot- 
ism." If the dictation of a wise magistrate works so well in the cantons of 
Switzerland, what great results might we not expect in the counties of the 
United States, if a board of physiologists were stationed in each, to grant or 
refuse marriage licenses according to the fitness of applicants ? 

"Let us have easy divorce laws!" exclaims one. That's right; but, 
sir, be consistent. Is a remedy better than a preventive ? It is an old 
and truthful adage, that " an ounce of prevention is better than a pound 
of cure." Is this case an exception ? It is plain that obedience to the laws 
of adaptation in marriage, will insure in a measure domestic harmony, and 
do away, to a considerable degree, with the necessity of divorce. Now, 
which should we do — maintain the integrity of the marriage institution, or 
open both the front and back doors, and let thoughtless people rush in and 
out — one day before the parson, the next before the judge ? 

Marriage u now considered a lottery, but it need not wholly be. The 
moral, mental, and physical characters of candidates for marriage may be 
completly unmasked to each other if the plan I suggest be adopted. All 
manner of deceit is practised by both sexes before marriage to entrap each 
other. If the woman bo religious, then is her admirer a constant attendant 
at church ; he bows his head with reverence in prayer-time ; converses feel- 
ingly on the subject of religion, and obtains a reputation, at least, for moral- 
ity, be he ever so depraved at heart. Does the woman possess a literary 
turn of mind — then does he temporarily devote his attention to literature, 
and pretends to be a laborious student. At the toilet he lays each particu- 
lar hair where it will show to the best advantage. So does she. If his 
form is ugly, he bribes the tailor to conceal defects ; has nature been stingy 
in developing her womanly charms, cotton and whalebone arc called to the 
rescue. Many a man has married a supposed armful of female loveliness, 
which proved to be little more than ho could havo purchased at any 
fashionable dry-goods store; and many a woman has leaned her affectionate 
head against a shoulder too weak to support it. 

Thus is every species of device resorted to in courtship to cover up moral, 
mental, and physical defects, which must all be uncovered in less than on© 



836 kAW SHOULD ENFORCE ADAPTATION 

year after marriage. Do you say they get the worst of it as a just punish- 
ment for their deceit ? No, they don't. The heaviest penalty falls upon the 
children of such marriages. "How many born of such relationship," says 
a writer, " are organically prepared for a fretful, joyless childhood, a nervous 
and uncomfortable maturity, and a stern and heartless old age? Have you 
never seen a young infant's eyes, that looked as old and sad as if they had 
been closed by grief? — faces that haunt you with their prematurely sad and 
earnest gaze ? Yes, these effects of unnatural matrimonial relations look 
us in the face in every community." Nor is the offspring only involved in 
the wretchedness which follows. Society and religion suffer by such 
unwelcome contributions to the human race. Then, too, from the disap- 
pointed victims of unhappy marriage, prostitution receives its most liberal 
supporters ; and, in fact, every moral department in life shares the penalty. 

Were the plan I propose adopted, seldom would it be necessary for the 
Board to interpose an arbitrary edict. To begin with, men and women, girls 
and boys, knowing that their mental and physical peculiarities would be 
unreservedly disclosed by the officers possessing the exclusive power of 
granting licenses, would, to a great degree, dispense with artifice in con- 
ducting their courtships, and those who did not, would become heartily dis- 
gusted with each other's deception, when their characteristics were laid 
open for their deliberate consideration, by those who were approved judges. 

The Board might be delegated with optional powers, and if parties applied 
who were tolerably congenial, explain discrepancies, and dismiss them to 
reconsider their proposed union. If a second application were made, it 
might be granted, but put a positive and irrevocable injunction on all who 
should be found, on examination, totally disqualified, mentally and physically, 
to render each other happy. This would be a signal death-blow to thou- 
sands of marriages which are now daily taking place for considerations of 
wealth, influence, and convenience. Especially should the firm foot, and the 
stiff upper-lip of every member of the Board come down, when tempera- 
mental incompatibility manifests itself to a great degree in the applicant 
for a marriage permit. When such marriages take place, the oft-repeated 
words of some pious old lady, that " G-od gives and God takes away," cannot 
console the short-sighted and grief-stricken mother, who, standing at tli3 
grave of one little one, carries in her womb another, and, still further, in 
her ovaries the promise of one, three, or half-a-dozen, all having to 
meet, even in germ life, that blight of incompatibility which is to give to the 
coming offspring disease and premature death ! 

Seldom arc a man and woman so captivated with each other as to render 
prohibition fatal to the happiness of one or both, unless there is a certain 
degree of congeniality existing between them. Indeed, I doubt if such a 
case would occur once in a century. 



IN MOXOGAMIC MARRIAGE. S37 

Yotmgr people, full of moonshine, poetry, and romance, frequently form 
attachments \vhieh they fancy must bo gratified, or their disappointed hopes 
will drive them to celibacy or the grave. To such of these as were found 
to have attachments based on the laws of adaptation, the Board could grant 
license, and the balance, I guarantee, would suffer no greater inconvenience 
than a few sleepless nights. There is a great deal of " puppy love " among 
this class, which can be easily transferred. 

In a previous chapter I denounce the positive interference of parents in 
the matrimonal selections of their children. I do now, for the reason that 
such interferences are almost invariably prompted by personal prejudice, 
favoritism, or by other considerations of a selfish nature. Very few parents 
understand the laws of adaptation. Their opposition to, or persuasion in 
favor of, their children's alliances, is not in the least dictated by physiologi- 
cal and phrenological knowledge. A New York Fifth Avenue mother 
would no more allow her daughter to marry a farmer or a mechanic than she 
would permit her to become the wife of a Sing Sing convict ! "When the 
daughter of a wealthy man in Xew York recently married her father's 
coachman, all ^snob-dom" was in commotion, and the poor fellow had to go 
to law to get the custody of his wife. Frequently farmers and others, who 
constitute the real bone and sinew of our country, are equally prejudiced 
against those they term : *city fellows," and would put a summary veto on 
the marriage of a daughter to a •"lying lawyer/' or a slick-haired dry-goods 
clerk. 

Thus is the marriage of men and women now made to conform to their social 
positions in life. "Why not do away with all this, and make it only to conform 
to mental and physical adaptation? Let parents advise, but pass all dictatorial 
power over to a Board of scientific men, who can read character as readily as 
an intelligent man can read a newspaper, and who are also qualified, by 
their physiological researches, to decide with minute correctness on physi- 
cal fitness. 2so marriage should be interdicted by parents, when mental 
and physical adaptation exists between their son or daughter and his or her 
selection. But this species of tyranny is daily practised under existing 
marriage regulations, and children are often virtually compelled to marry 
those for whom they have little respect and no love. It is absolutely 
ridiculous to charge the measures I wish to inaugurate with tyranny, when 
a worse species .of despotism is now constantly practised by parents and 
society before marriage, and by the laws of every Stato in the Union, 
after the parties have been legally united My plan would not be in the 
least prohibitive — only regulative. It would serve to put a stop to money 
marriages, which are now of daily occurrence, and which arc a curse to the 
parties contracting them and to their posterity. It would prevent young men 
from marrying old women, and young women old men. It would prevent 



838 LAW SHOULD ENFORCE ADAPTATION 

young ladies from " marrying homes " and domestic misery. It would prevent 
"young people from marrying in haste and repenting at leisure." It would 
prevent rascals from becoming the husbands of virtuous women, and female 
fiends from becoming the wives of good men. It would prevent selfish 
mothers from selling their daughters to millionaires. It would prevent 
the intermarriage of relatives, and what is equally as objectionable, inter- 
marriage between persons of like temperaments. But with real affectional 
marriages, founded on mental and physical attraction, it would not in the 
least interfere. 

As a divorcing power, the organization of Boards of Examiners on th.6 
principle I suggest, would be the very perfection of human legislation. 
What do law courts know of physiology and phrenology? What qualifica- 
tions do judges possess to enable them to decide on the merits of applicants 
for divorce? I do not question the value and correctness of their judgment 
in deciding titles to lands, the guilt of criminals, and so forth, but what has 
the judiciary legitimately to do with matrimonial quarrels, and deciding 
upon the physical and mental capacities of married people to render them- 
selves happy in wedlock ? 

Legislators, too, — who are often appealed to by those who have con- 
tracted unhappy matrimonial alliances, — what are their qualifications, as 
a body, to judge of the expediency or inexpediency of decreeing a sep- 
aration ? An amusing specimen of their legislation in matters of divorce 
was recently given in the Ohio Legislature. An unhappy couple in Cin- 
cinnati petitioned that honorable body to unloose the fetters which had 
for thirty years bound them to an uncongenial companionship. For ten 
years they had lived under separate roofs. The petition was referred to 
the "Committee on Federal Relations," and the same day they submitted 
the following report, which, though calculated to disturb the gravity of the 
reader, cannot fail to impress every one with the unfairness with which 
they treated the application: — 

w The petitioners, James and Maria Sutton, do not sufficiently set forth 
the cause why they 'mutually severed and parted;' and after a cohabita- 
tion of thirty years, it is necessarily very important to know these reasons. 
They leave an immense range of inference in the minds of this learned 
assembly. They might have been dissatisfied with each other's personal 
beauty, or wearied with their respective mutual attractions. They might 
have been fighting constantly for thirty years, and at last" both being ex- 
hausted and neither being able to 'come up to time,' they mutually backed 
out, fizzled and crawled away from the scene of combat. Again, some 
direful fiend in mustache and patent-leather boots, may have intruded his 
fascinating but diabolical figure into their peaceful domestic circle, poisoned 
the happiness of that shrine, and finally caused a separation betweea the 



IN MONOGAMIC MABftlAGE., §39 

blessed pair, and connection between his own back and a tough cowhida 
Which of these is the cause, the committee are unable to say. 

" Again, they are of opinion that two mortal sinners, who have been in 
purgatory for thirty years, should certainly be put through in one direction 
or the other, instead of being allowed to return to the terrestrial condition 
of their former existence. A precedent will be found for this course in the 
case of 'Orpheus vs. Pluto,' first Pandemonium Reports, 729. 

"The committee could see no reason why these evidently ancient turtle- 
doves should not peaceably and quietly pursue the course they practised 
for thirty years, and mutually return to each other's bosoms ; and would 
advise this course for reasons as follows :— 

1 For high the bliss that waits on wedded love, 
But purest emblem of the bliss above, 
Of one fond heart to be the slave and lord, 
Bless and be blessed, adore and be adored: 
To draw new rapture from another's joy ; 
To share each pang and half its sting destroy; 
To own the link of soul, the chain of mind, 
-'hat hearts to hearts, and hands to hands can bind, 
For ever and ever. Amen.' 1 

" The committee being, therefore, unapprised of the causes of this sepa- 
ration or its probable monstrous results, can only recommend the House to 
advise them to ■ stick it out' for their brief future of this earth. Whatever 
their difficulties or ' embarrassments ' may be, whether sentimental or con- 
stitutional, the difficulties of the Legislature are both ' sentimental ' and con- 
stitutional: as, therefore, this House l wouldn't, if it could,' nor - couldn't, if 
it would,' they recommend the petitioners to the Court of Common Pleas, 
and to beware of bigamy." 

Courts of Common Pleas, and all other presently constituted legal tri- 
bunals, are not much more considerate in their treatment cf divorce 
cases. In fact, the functions of these legal bodies, as evinced by daily obser- 
vation, are rather calculated to keep people in hot water than to help them 
out. 

A divorcing tribunal should be composed of men and women who make 
the sciences of physiology and phrenology their almost exclusive studies. 
A court of divorce thus organized would not be obliged to summon 
a crowd of witnesses to divulge all the private affairs of an unhappy 
married couple applying for relief, as do now the courts of law, where 
all the privacies of an unhappy marriage are eagerly exhumed for the 
world to gaze at, and scandalmongers to feast upon. It would rely 
only on the unerring evidences furnished by the mental and physical 
manifestations of the parties. It would not be necessary for this court 
to ascertain what horrible conduct one or both had been guilty of, but 
rather what violations of social and matrimonial relations might ho 



840 LAW SHOULD ENFORCE ADAPTATION 

reasonably expected from the Union of those uncongenial or antagonistic 
materials. 

Men and women are generally good or bad, according to the circumstances 
which surround them. A woman may be a devoted and faithful wife 
if united to a congenial companion, who otherwise would bring disgrace 
upon herself by the most open violations of chastity. A man who has 
stumbled into an uncongenial marriage may become the frequenter of the 
bar-room and bawdy-house, who, had he been united to his true counterpart, 
would have been a model husband and an exemplary father. The world 
is full of good bad men and good bad women, who only need reassorting, 
matrimonially, to become happy fathers and mothers, and valuable members 
of society. 

It has been said "there are ten times as many fugitives from matrimony 
as there are fugitives from slavery, and that it may well be doubted if the 
aggregate or average of their sufferings has been less." This was said 
when the institution of slavery was tolerated in this country. I will go 
further than the quotation, and assert that there have been ten times as 
many slaves in matrimony under the legal whip, as there ever were slaves 
in compulsory service under the overseers' lash ! Escape from one has been 
about as difficult as escape from the other. While slavery existed in this 
country, " underground railroads " existed for sufferers belonging to the latter 
class, and a similar subterranean thoroughfare remains for those of the first 
class ; but all escapes thereby are violations of law, and do not guarantee 
permanent liberty to the fugitives. But under present marriage regulations, 
we cannot be surprised that both husbands and wives do frequently avail 
themselves of it, and secretly seek that pleasure abroad which mental and 
physical uncongeniality denies them at home. "American society," says Dr. 
Davis, "is more critical and hypocritical than that of Paris. Hence, 
without deserving it, we get praised for virtue, and the French get cursed for 
vice." In France the " underground railroad " is tacitly tolerated ; in Spain 
and Italy, openly sd; in this country it is tolerated by neither word nor 
implication, but still has many passengers. 

A Licensing and Divorcing Board need be attended with no expense to 
the State or county in which it is located. If the poorest classes of 
Mexicans can pay twenty-two dollars as a marriage fee to an exacting 
priest, cannot the enlightened and industrious men of our prosperous 
country pay five, ten, or even twenty-five for a marriage license, if so largo 
a fee be necessary to maintain an efficient Board of Examiners ? More than 
that amount is usually expended by the bridegroom in a wedding tour for 
wine and cigars, and, if not in this way, for some other superfluities. 

In order to sustain in purity the monogamic form of marriage, such laws 
for legalizing and divorcing matrimonial contracts as will tend to promote 



IN MOXOGAMIC MARRIAGE. 



841 



mental and physical congeniality, must be enacted. If other institu 
tions are permitted to spring up for the regulation of intercourse be- 
tween the sexes, and allowed to flourish side by side with monogamic 
marriage, just such a board as this chapter reccommends is needed to 
take superintendence of them, to the end that peace and. order may be 
maintained in all communities or families, however diverse in their do- 
mestic construction, that establish themselves within the limits of the 
State. Will not some State in our Union lead off in this reform ? It 
cannot but succeed, if intelligently established, and its success in one 
State would insure its adoption in others, and in time we might look for 
the creation of that national bureau of marriage suggested in Part III. 

Especially should the advocates of monogamic marriage assist in this 
reform. Their pet system is daily growing in disrepute, and under the 
present regime it cannot be long before it will become as rickety as it is 
to-day in France. Every good citizen should co-operate in a work of 
such magnitude and beneficence. 




WELL-MATEI>— A HAPPY PAIR. 




CHAPTER IV. 

THREE PHASES OF MONOQAMIC MARRIAGE 
DAGUERREOTYPED. 

| NDER the present hap-hazard system of legalizing 
marriage, and with the prevailing ignorance of the 
laws of physical and mental adaptation, it is not strange 
that the civilized world is full of ill-assorted matrimonial 
alliances. I shall attempt in this chapter to daguer- 
reotype three of the most prominent phases of marriage 
presented in civilized society, all of which would be improved, and 
the last of which would be most effectually obliterated, if the 
exclusive power of granting marriage licenses were vested in 
Boards of Examiners fully qualified, by a proper understanding of 
physiology and phrenology, to decide upon the adaptedness of 
parties presenting themselves as candidates for matrimony. 

1.— Mental Marriages. 

Mental marriages may be defined as those in which social, moral, ana 
intellectual adaptation has been secured, with little or no regard for physical 
adaptation. They may be termed nearly happy, as those which arc 
perfectly happy have been formed under the auspices of both mental and 
physical adaptation. In all London, a newspaper statistician finds only one 
hundred and twenty-seven mental, or nearly happy marriages. In this 
country, where wealth and title have less influence with the people in their 
matrimonial selections, it is reasonable to presume, there is a larger per- 
centage of mental marriages than in England. Still, in free and enlightened 
America, they are not numerous when compared with those of a more dis- 
cordant nature. 

Mental marriages may also be called friendship marriages, because the 
parties contracting them are drawn together chiefly by platonic love. 
Napoleon's marriage with Josephine was a mental marriage. Most people 
are familiar with the details of this, and it is therefore needless to repeat 
them here. Such an alliance engenders powerful attachments between the 
husband and wife ; and imparts to each much social happiness. They enjoy 



MENTAL MARRIAGES. 843 

each other's presence, and are lonesome and morose when even temporarily 
separated. Still, if amativeness is largely or fully developed, entire content- 
ment does not exist, because their want of physical adaptation disqualifies 
them for the full enjoyment of the sexual embrace. 

Singular as it may appear, there are more elopements from this class than 
from any other. Unable to realize within themselves, to the fullest extent, 
that sexual gratification enjoyed by those of opposite temperaments, they 
frequently fall victims to seduction, and become the illicit companions of 
depraved men and women, whom they find, by bitter experience, are only 
able to impart to them transitory enjoyments, while the companionships of 
the intervals embraced in the ordinary social communications of life, are 
but wretched imitations cf those previously enjoyed with the ones whom 
they cruelly end unreflectingly abandon. And not unfrequently the little 
enjoyment they do at first experience, in their new relation, is suddenly 
interrupted by the discovery that their new companions are not naturally 
possessed of any more power to make them amatorially happy than their 
lawful ones, and that the unusual felicity at first experienced with their 
paramours is wholly attributable to a slight difference in electrical condi- 
tions, and vanishes like a dream, when an equilibrium is restored between 
them. 

Barrenness often occurs in mental marriages, in consequence of the simi- 
larity existing in the electrical conditions of the husband and wife, by 
which not only sexual enjoyment is curtailed, but also that activity and 
contractive power of the genital system necessary to reproduction. Then, 
if children are born, they lack endurance. 

"It is a well-known law of nature," says Mrs. Hester Pendleton, "that 
issue follows the union of contrarieties. These contrarieties, it is found, 
must not only be male and female, but, in the human species, there should 
also be a difference in the temperaments. And hence it has been noticed by 
enc who has given considerable attention to the subject, that those wives 
who arc of ike same temperament as their liusbands, are either sterile, or if 
they have issue, their children are feeble, and generally short-lived. ^Vhen, 
on the contrary, there is the most marked difference in the temperaments 
of the husband and wife, other things being equal, we usually find the 
most numerous and healthy offspring/' 

A French physician once informed me, that while practising in Paris, he 
Was applied to by a gentleman and lady, both of the bilious temperament, 
and another couple, both of the sanguine temperament, whose marriages of 
many years had been fruitless. Both couples being painfully desirous of 
offspring, he resorted to various remedies to cure their sterility, but 
without avail. Finally, failing to receive any encouragement from medical 
treatment they mutually determined to try and remedy the difficulty them- 



844: THREE PHASES OF MONOGAMIC MARRIAGE. 

selves by a singular compromise, which granted to each disappointed hus- 
band the occasional custody of the other's wife. The lapse of a few 
months indicated that the novel experiment was successful, and at the 
expiration of the natural time both were presented with heirs ! This in- 
stance answers better for an illustration of my position than for an example 
worthy of imitation by others. The expedient is more consistent with the 
French standard of morality than with that of ours ; and yet, I am informed, 
that it is sometimes resorted to in the large cities of the United States. 

Desire for offspring is, with few exceptions, common to all married 
people, as well as a passion for sexual enjoyment, and hence it is natural 
that more or less discontentment should exist when the electrical or tem- 
peramental conditions of a husband and wife so nearly correspond as to 
deprive them of one or both. It is not, therefore, surprising that mental 
marriages, which insure to the parties contracting them an immense amount 
of social happiness, do not yield that unadulterated connubial felicity which 
is obtained by marriages based on physical as well as mental adaptation. 
There are very few of the latter; perhaps one in a thousand. There would 
be more if the system of granting marriage licenses which I propose were 
established. 

2.— Physical Marriages. 

These are composed of males and females well mated physically, with 
little or no mental adaptation. They may be termed tolerably happy mar- 
riages. It is estimated that there are three thousand one hundred and 
seventy-five thus united in London. The average is larger in this country, 
for the reason before explained, that social equality is not enjoyed to so 
great a degree in the European as in the American States. 

In physical marriage, many obtain all the happiness which they imagine 
matrimony can yield. Sexual intercourse is generally enjoyed to the fullest 
degree, by one or both parties, according to the equality, size, and activity 
of their amative organ, and the state of their corporeal health. In these 
marriages, husbands seldom find social attractions at home, but spend their 
evenings in business, in political caucuses, masculine gatherings of various 
kinds, or at the gaming-table or club-room. They are sometimes seen riding 
or walking, with closed, lips, in company with their wives ; and they have been 
known to hold conversation with them in public. But usually all evidence 
of conjugal affection, as well as all positive evidence of discontent, manifests 
itself only in the privacy of the bed-chamber. They are seldom seen together 
in social gatherings, public entertainments, or at any time ; and if they are, 
a kind of mutual indifference is discernible to a penetrating observer. Still, 
without important interruptions, they sail down life's troubled stream with 
considerable smoothness, and in the society of friends v at least, profess 



PHYSICAL MARRIAGES. $45 

attachment to each other, which, in part, exists, while the world regards 
them as good citizens and happy people. The libertine is not as apt to bear 
off a prize from this class as from the first considered though his attentions 
are not unfrequently encouraged, and his licentious propensities gratified. 
The unfaithful wife finds in his embrace an agreeable variety, resulting from 
the difference existing between his individual electricity and that of her 
lawful partner, to whom she has become accustomed. The husband, unless 
possessed of a consistent religious character, cr great veneration for civil 
law, does not regard infidelity on his part as a crying sin, and still could not 
tolerate it in his companion. Elopements are very rare, because it is neces- 
sary that one or the other should experience, with a third party, sexual 
eDJoyment never experienced before, to sufficiently prepare him or her for 
the sacrifice of early associations, friends, and reputation, at the altar of 
lust It requires sexual intoxication to drive people to such an extremity, 
and nothing can produce this madness except a conviction that a husband 
or wife is incapable of gratifying his or her amative desire, while it has been 
found by experience that another can. Consequently, separations seldom 
take place in physical marriages, except by divorce, which are not uncom- 
mon, as infidelity on the part of either is liable to detection, and. on the part 
of the wife , unendurable ! 

Physical marriages are prolific, except when disease or sexual excess has 
weakened or destroyed the tone of the reproductive organs. The children 
of such unions are usually physically strong, but are apt to be unbalanced 
and distempered in mind. 

Marriages of this kind, it would not be expedient to legally interdict, but 
the good counsel of an intelligent Board of Examiners might influence many 
intelligent persons presenting themselves for license, to seek more conge- 
nial alliances. The ladies, particularly, who think so much of attentive 
husbands, if convinced that their lovers are mentally so uncongenial as to 
probably become negligent after marriage, would be decidedly inclined to 
back out of all foolish engagements, when advised by a competent Board of 
Examiners. "When there is, in almost every community, a true M Jack'' for 
every ; * Gill," it is a great misfortune that there should exist so many ill- 
assorted marriages, by which husbands are rendered negligent and wives 
lonely and miserable. 

Dr. Ryan probably had his eye on marriages of this class when he penned 
the following: " Every imperfection, capricious temper, vanity, folly, etc., 
appear in the married state. The demeanor toward the world is agreeable 
and obliging, but in domestic life the mask is thrown off. and an individual 
appears such as he or she really is. Hence, it is incredible how much a 
wife has to bear from a husband who is capricious, haughty, choleric, dys- 
peotk, and intractable j or what a sensible husband has to endure from a 



846 THREE PHASES OF MONOG-AMIC MARRIAGE. 

silly, unreasonable, and intractable wife. It is difficult for married persons 
to acquire each other's tastes, feelings, and opinions." 

This last remark contains a volume of truth. The writer might have 
said it is impossible for a husband and wife to acquire each other's tastes, 
etc. The only sure way to realize a correspondence in this respect, is to 
marry with due reference to mental adaptation ; by so doing, similarity in 
sentiments is natural, and the impracticable task of acquiring is done away 
with. 

3.— Lucifer Matches. 

These may be denned, marriages contracted without regard to physical 
or mental adaptation. The civilized world is full of such. u The motives 
which influence a majority of the world in contracting matrimonial unions, " 
says Dr. Ryan, " are generally false, selfish, and most detrimental to the 
procreation of sound and vigorous offspring; such as ambition, wealth, 
rank, title, interest, a love of independence, of an establishment, a desire to 
escape parental restraint, anger, a determination to disinherit relations, dis- 
dain for a faithless lover or mistress, necessity, obligation, passion, imita- 
tion, and very rarely the only proper motive, pure and virtuous affection.' ' 

In this division we find old men with young wives, and old women with 
young husbands. I have now in my mind's eye a man of thirty-five, who 
has a wife of fifty-five or sixty. They quarreled desperately for several 
years, under one roof, but finally the young husband left her bed and board, 
and the two have since kept up the warfare in courts of law. They alone 
have not suffered the penalty of their discordant union, but friends on both 
sides have been involved in the legal quarrels which have resulted there- 
from. The health and once honorable character of the husband has been 
ruined ; his wealth absorbed by lawyers and judges ; and the reputation of 
many of his friends compromised by his subsequent open licentiousness. 

'Women who " marry homes " sometimes stumble into mental or physical 
adaptation, but not often. I have in mind several who have not married 
peaceful homes. ''Family jars" are of almost daily occurrence, and disease 
marks the countenances of the unhappy wives. Their physician knows 
their wretchedness, but the world little dreams of it. 

Those who are influenced by wealth in forming their matrimonial alli- 
ances are seldom so fortunate as to get congenial companions. Men will 
sometimes marry those for whom they cherish not one spark of affection, in 
order to secure wealth. Mr. L. N. Fowler gives a rich illustration of 
this class, as follows: "Mr. M., of 0., married a lady from the city, and car- 
ried her to his home. He thought her father rich, and probably was san- 
guine in his hopes and anticipations. "When they had been married some 
time, it was rumored that his father-in-law had met with losses which 



LUCIFER MATCHES. 847 

would involve his property. So he took his 'cara sposa* back to her 
father's mansion. She had not been there long before her father's affairs 
turned out more prosperously than was anticipated. Then the good hus- 
band retraced his steps to the city, to take his wife back again; but it was 
no go. The father said nay." 

Women often marry rich gentlemen for whom they hardly feel respect, 
thinking that a luxurious home and a fat purse will compensate them for 
all the misery they will have to encounter in eating and sleeping with an 
odious husband. They find experience a dear teacher, and, in this case, one 
from whose tuition it is difficult to escape. 

Gold kidnaps many fashionable ladies, and subjects them to slavery the 
most abject. The visions of pretty dresses which flit through their minds, 
when a wealthy man proposes, perfectly bewilder their usually keen per- 
ception, and they seldom recover from their infatuation until the cruel trap 
is sprung, and they are prisoners in uncongenial matrimony. A majority 
of these wives would readily exchange situations with the prostitute, but 
for the loss of reputation which such a step would incur, for they are con- 
stantly obliged to submit to the embraces of a man whom they hate, while 
the trafficker in lust sometimes enjoys the embrace of one she can love. 
AVomen can entertain no greater delusion than that wealth alone can make 
them happy in matrimony. 

The trade of acquiring wealth makes many men stingy, and it is not un- 
common for the wives of wealthy men to carry light purses. It is particu- 
larly galling to the female who has been seduced into an uncongenial mar- 
riage by the attractions of riches, to find her husband parsimonious as well 
as ugly. Still, such is often the experience of women who marry golden 
husbands. A sad instance of this kind is related by Mrs. Nichols. Here 
is the affecting story as she gives it:' — 

M A most gentle and noble creature was my friend, ten years since. I 
have seldom seen so great material and spiritual beauty as she possessed. 
Her presence seemed to hallow all places, so pure, so truthful, so charming 
fier life. She was the daughter of a widow, who lived in poverty in a re- 
mote country town, and she was induced to accept a man as her husband 
who was wealthy and educated, and could give her an elegant home, and 
the society of a city. She was very young when she married, and she was 
at once separated from her mother and friends, for her husband was so 
miserly that he would have grudged twenty-five cents given to any one, 
friend or foe, forever. He took her to a fashionable home, but the griping 
poverty in which she lived there was known only to herself, and those who 
were so placed for observation that they could not but see. The husband 
was not unkind, not ignorant, not an unpleasant man to those about him, 
b.ut pinching meanness was a habit with him that involved all his life, The 



848 THREE PHASES OF MONOGAMIC MARRIAGE. 

wife was in all things disappointed. She knew that her mother, whom she 
loved adoringly, was sewing for a living when she had no strength to sit 
up, but lay and sewed in bed ; that she was alone, dying very slowly of 
consumption, without even the comfort of a letter from her daughter, be- 
cause of the expense of postage, which this lady could not get money to 
pay, though she lived in a house worth thousands of dollars. If she had 
married with the hope of sustaining her mother, or having her with her, 
how bitter was the disappointment ! 

"The young wife bore her heavy burden in silence — oh! how many 
burdens are thus borne ! — till her health failed. She bore three children in 
rapid succession, and with suffering that only a mother can know, and then 
commenced having miscarriages and abortions. She begged her husband 
to allow her to come to me and have the benefits of water cure. I was 
sure I could cure her if I had her away from her destroyer : but he was her 
legal owner, and for six years she died constantly. Six times she mis- 
carried or aborted, and a sickening horror of her false relation of soul and 
body, a daily and hourly misery, and constant flooding, was her lot. Her 
peerless beauty faded, and her glorious life became nearly insanity at times ; 
and again a resigned and almost torpid idiocy seemed to possess her. 

" Every effort was made by her friends to induce the husband to place 
her under my care, but in vain. He asserted his ownership to her latest 
breath, and after twelve years of agony and resignation, a human soul was 
blotted out, and the lifeless clay, beautiful to the last, was alone left to him 
who never had a thought but that she was his property as much as his 
horses or his house. He would have punished any infidelity to the mar- 
riage bond as he would have punished the thief of his horses, or the incen- 
diary who had burned his dwelling — and yet his presence had been a 
hateful horror to his wife. She had been his victim, by far worse used than 
his harlot would have been had he been so immoral as to keep one, but he 
was not. He was a rich, respectable, and moral murderer, who had prob- 
ably no more idea of his true character than society had. He had only 
starved his wife in her sympathies, and made her the slave of his senses, 
while he lived in his business, his dollars, his dinners, and, what is called 
domestic life, receiving much sympathy that his beautiful wife was always 
sick and sad, and not pleasant company." 

Marrying to please relatives rarely secures mental or physical adaptation. 
Parents do not realize how much misery they frequently bring upon their 
children by persuading them to marry those for whom they feel no attrac- 
tion. Were the legal guardians of the young as well instructed in physi- 
ology and phrenology as they frequently are in many studies of a less 
useful nature, their interference in the matrimonial selections of young 
people would be more excusable. But their objections to one or preferences 



LUCIFER MATCHES. 849 

for another are generally the result of selfish motives, without regard to 
fitness. 

A lady of considerable personal beauty and good education once called 
on me, in Cincinnati, to consult me regarding her rapidly declining health. 
I found, on examination, that her nervous system was terribly deranged, 
and that there was every appearance of approaching insanity. I knew she 
must be laboring under constant mental excitement, and interrogated her as 
to the cause. She was the victim of an unhappy marriage, formed at th<? 
instigation of friends. From her story it was apparent that neither physi- 
cal or mental adaptation had been realized, for she did not give birth to 
a child till she had been married nine years, and her husband's society to 
her was any thing but agreeable. She was rather religiously inclined, while 
her husband was a profane wretch. He would make her blood thrill with 
the most horrid imprecations, without the least provocation. Although a 
prosperous merchant in respectable standing, she was never allowed a 
dollar in money, and almost suffered for the want of comfortable clothing 
for herself and child. She would have left him had one of her relatives 
been in circumstances to have afforded her a home ; for her health was too 
far gone for her to think of self-maintenance ; and, rather than have them 
suffer the unhappiness they would have, had they known her matrimonial 
trials, she kept them profoundly ignorant of her miserable situation. 
I was the only one to whom she had ever confided her infelicity, and the 
tears gushed from her eyes like water from a fountain, while she related 
the sorrowful tale of her sufferings. 

But her case is no more affecting than thousands which have come 
under my observation. Nor does my experience differ from that of any 
physician in large practice. The world is full of " Lucifer Matches," and 
the wretchedness they entail destroys health ; hence, to the physician is 
revealed the infelicity in married life. 

The poet Milton's first marriage, belonged to the Lucifer class, I should 
judge, from the following extracts from his life and writings : — 

" In his thirty-fifth year, Milton married Mary, the daughter of Mr. 
Powell, a justice of the peace in Oxfordshire. After an absence of little 
more than a month, he brought his bride to town with him, and hoped, as 
Johnson observes, to enjoy the advantages of conjugal life ; but spare diet, 
and hard study, and a house full of pupils, did not suit the young and gay 
daughter of a cavalier. She had been brought up in a very different 
eociety ; so, after having lived for a month a philosophic life, after having 
\>een used at home to a great house, and much company and joviality, her 
friends, possibly at her own desire, made earnest suit to have her company 
for the remaining part of the summer, which was granted upon a promise of 
her return at Michaelmas. _ "WTien Michaelmas came, the lady had no incli- 
36* 



850 THREE PHASES OF MONOGAMIC MABRIAGB. 

nation to quit the hospitality and delight of her father's mansion for the 
austerer habits and seclusion of the poet's study. 

" Milton sent repeated letters to her, which wer a *D unanswered ; and a 
messenger who was dispatched to urge her return, was dismissed with 
.contempt. He resolved immediately to repudiate her, on the ground of dis- 
obedience ; and, to support the propriety and lawfulness of his conduct, ho 
published ? The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce.' " 

There is one passage in this treatise in which Milton clearly points to him* 
self, and to the presumed causes cf his unhappiness. " The soberest and 
best governed men," he says, "are least practised in these affairs ; and who 
knows not that the bashful muteness of a virgin may oftentimes hide aU the un* 
loveliness and natural sloth which is really unfit for conversation? Nor is there 
that freedom of access granted or presumed, as may suffice to a perfect dis- 
cerning, until too late. When any indisposition is suspected, what more 
usual than the persuasions of friends, that acquaintance, as it increases, 
will mend all ? And lastly, is it not strange that many who have spent 
their youth chastely, are, in some things, not so quick-sighted, while they haste 
too eagerly to light the nuptial torch f Nor is it, therefore, for a modest error, 
that a man should forfeit so great a happiness, and no charitable means to 
relieve him, since they who have lived most loosely, by reason of their bold 
accustomings, prove most successful in their matches, because their wild 
affections, unsettling at will, have been so many divorces to teach them experi- 
ence. "Whereas, the sober man, honoring the appearance of modesty, and 
hoping well of every social virtue under that veil, may easily chance to 
meet with' a mind to all other due conversation inaccessible, and to the 
more estimable and superior purposes of matrimony useless — and almost 
lifeless ; and what a solace, what a fit help such a consort would be through 
the whole life of a man, is less pain to conjecture than to have ex- 
perience." He speaks, again, of a "mute and spiritless mate;" and 
again, "if he shall find himself bound fast to an image of earth and 
phlegm, with whom he looked to be the copartner of a sweet and gladsome 
society." 

Observation corroborates the truth of Milton's remark, that " thsy who 
live most loosely, by reason of their bold accustomings, prove most Success- 
ful in their matches." I have often remarked the mental and physical aa« 
aptation existing between gamblers and their wives, and other characters cf 
more notoriety than good reputation. "One-eyed Thompson" and "BUI 
Poole " were represented as most devoted husbands and kind fathers. No 
husband ever penned a more affectionate and affecting epistle than that 
which Thompson wrote his wife just previous to his suicide. 

The tenacity with which the wives of bad men cling to their husbands 
when imprisoned for crime, is also an illustration of the correctness of Mil- 



LUCTFKR MATCHES. 



S51 



ton's remark. Many a wife of a respectable husband, in good standing in 
society, would consider it a most fortunate circumstance, if the latter were 
incarcerated in prison long enough to give her a chance to escape from the 
thraldom of uncongenial matrimony. 

Milton advocated easy divorce. So do I. But I would have both the 
front and back gates of monogamic marriage under the care of competent 
men, whose physiological and phrenological acquirements qualify them to 
admit and release people with particular reference to mental and physical 
adaptation. By this wise arrangement all "Lucifer Matches" would be 
interdicted, and the happiness and longevity of the human family immeas- 
urably increased. 




STRIKING A MATCH. 




CHAPTEE V. 

PHILOSOPHY OF ELOPEMENTS. 

I LOPEMENTS are becoming so frequent, in both high 
and humble life, that Part TV. would be incomplete 
without an investigation into their causes. Over five 
hundred occurred in the United States during one year. 
It is common to ascribe elopements to human deprav- 
ity, but I am disposed to attribute them to human ignorance. Our 
public schools make good historians, good mathematicians, good 
grammarians, good geographers, good ministers, good lawyers, and 
poor doctors, but no physiologists or phrenologists; and parents 
are generally poorly qualified to impart that knowledge to children 
which institutions of learning so universally withhold. Hence, I 
claim that ignorance of the valuable sciences of physiology and phrenology, 
and consequent non-conformity to the law of physical and mental adaptation 
in marriage, is the chief cause of elopements. The law of adaptation in 
the marriage of men and women is the same as the law of affinity in the com- 
bination of substances. "By experiment," says Comstock, "we know that 
some bodies have an affinity to each other ; that is, we know that on pre- 
senting them to each other under certain circumstances they will combine 
and form a third substance which differs from either of the first. "We know 
also by the same means that other substances, when presented together in 
the same manner, will repel eacli other ; that is, they will not combine, nor 
can they be made to unite so as to form a third substance. In a great va- 
riety of instances, after two substances have combined, when mixed alone, 
or without the admixture of any other substance, this first union may be de- 
stroyed by the intervention of another, or a third substance, having a stronger 
attraction for one of these substances than they have for each other. " 

Now in this law of chemical attraction or affinity, we have an illustration 
of the law of mental and physical adaptation. By both observation and the 
teachings of science, we know that a male and female having adaptation or 
affinity, under certain circumstances, when presented to each other, will 
unite and form what is termed a married couple. We also know that there 
are males and females, who, when presented together, repel each other like 



PHILOSOPHY OF ELOPEMENTS. 853 

oil and water, but who may be induced to unite by adding a little gold dust, 
the same as oil and water can be made to unite by the addition of alkali. 
Again, we knc?r that a male and female, tolerably adapted, may be made to 
unite, and that this first union may be destroyed by the intervention of an- 
other, or a third party, having a stronger mental and physical attraction for 
the husband or wife than they have for each other. 

In chemistry, alcohol may be married to gum camphor, the combination 
being called spirits of camphor ; but if water be brought in contact with this 
marriage, the alcohol will straightway elope with the water and leave the cam- 
phor a grass-widower. This same law is, to a great extent, obeyed by human 
beings, and elopements are usually first caused by the non-observance of the 
law of mental and physical adaptation in marriage, and secondly by the dis- 
covery, by one or the other, of a person for whom he or she feels a greater 
attraction. Let us suppose Mr. A. to be a man of the bilious temperament, 
with large acquisitiveness, small benevolence, small ideality, and small in- 
tellectual faculties. He marries Miss B., who is also of a bilious tempera- 
ment, with small acquisitiveness, large ideality, large benevolence, and large 
intellectual faculties. Now, the similarity between their physical organiza- 
tions disqualifies them to make each other happy sexually, while the dis- 
similarity in their mental characteristics destroys their social happiness. 
After a few years or months, Mr. C, a gentleman of the sanguine and lym- 
phatic temperaments, full of ideality, benevolence, and intelligence, is intro- 
duced to the family. He finds Mrs. A. a most agreeable woman, and Mrs. A. 
is perfectly captivated with Mr. C. Now is it not apparent to every reader 
that it is perfectly natural for Mr. C. to run away with Mr. A.'s wife, and 
for Mr. A.'s wife to be entirely willing that Mr. C. should? Just exactly as 
natural as it is for the water to unite with the alcohol in the spirits of cam- 
phor, leaving the camphor to take care of itself. 

But let us suppose a case in which mental adaptation has been observed. 
Mr. Smart, a gentleman of the sanguine temperament and full development 
of the social and intellectual faculties, marries Miss Prim, of corresponding 
temperament and mental characteristics. They are perfectly happy in their 
social relations, but not so in their sexual, because their correspondence in 
temperament renders their electrical conditions similar. Mrs. Smart feels 
nothing magnetic in the touch or presence of Mr. S., nor does Mr. Smart 
feel the least pleasurable emotion in contact with Mrs. S., further than that 
engendered by platonic love. They are as two negatives or two positives 
in their physical relations. In the course of time Mr. Villain becomes an 
acquaintance of Mr. S., and is introduced to the good wife. This Mr. Y. is 
of the phlegmatic and bilious temperaments, with social and intellectual 
faculties corresponding with those of Mr. S. and his lady, which latter mako 
bim an agreeable friend. He may be entirely destitute of the moral and 



854 PHILOSOPHY OF KLOPEMENTS. 

religious organs, but Mr. and Mrs S. do not know that, for they have never 
investigated '-that humbug" phrenology, and Mr. Y. is not going to tell 
them he i3 a scamp. The new friend being of an entirely opposite tempera* 
ment to Mrs. S., the electrical conditions of the two are totally unlike, and 
the latter experiences a strange happiness in his magnetic atmospherev 
Anon, the community is perfectly thunderstruck to learn that the accom- 
plished and amiable Mrs. S. has actually eloped with Mr. V., leaving her 
devoted and highly-respected husband disconsolate. Everybody marvels, 
but they would not, if the law of affinity in all its bearings, or the law of 
mental and physical adaptation, was understood. 

" Professor Silliman mentions, that in June, 1823, he crossed the Hudson 
at Catskill, in company with a friend, and was proceeding in a carriage by 
the river, along the road, which is there very narrow, with the water on one 
side, and a steep bank, covered by bushes, on the other. His attention at 
that place was arrested by observing the number of small birds of different 
species, flying across the road and then back again, and turning and wheeling 
in manifold gyrations, and with much chirping, yet making no progress from 
the particular placo over which they fluttered. His own and his friend's 
curiosity was much excited, but was soon satisfied by observing a black 
snake of considerable size, partly coiled and partly erect from the ground, 
with the appearance of great animation, his eyes brilliant, and his tongue 
rapidly brandishing. This reptile they perceived to be the cause and centre 
of the wild motions of the birds. The excitement, however, ceased as soon 
as the snake, alarmed by the approach cf the carriage, retired into the 
bushes ; the birds did not escape, but alighting upon the neighboring branches, 
probably awaited the reappearance of ihe'r cruel tormentor and enemy.''' The 
snake was "charming" the birds, and this word " charming " is another 
expression for magnetizing. In a similar manner men charm or magnetize 
women of opposite temperaments, and run off with them. But my object 
in quoting the Professor's anecdote is to remind the reader how very simi- 
lar is the conduct of some ladies to that of the birds in the story. They 
did not escape when they could. In a similar way, women often tamper 
with the electric powers of gentlemen, as if to see how far they can go with- 
out actually becoming their victims. In this way, women of religious princi- 
ples sometimes astonish the church and society with elopements. "When the 
libertine begins to exercise hi3 magnetic powers to overcome their chastity, 
they do not think for a mom«it that there is a probability of their yielding; 
but his atmosphere is agreeable, because magnetic, and so is his touch ; 
consequently, they will, in a measure, encourage his advances. It is in this 
way that a married woman who wishes and intends to be true to her hus- 
band will sometimes tempt herself in the presence of a libertine, till all at 
once she is overpowered, A sense of remorse seizes upon her mind and is' 



PHILOSOPHY OT ELOPEMENTS. $55 

aggravated in the society of her husband, because she knows she has deceived 
him ; and, with this unpleasant reflection, his society becomes painful 
rather than agreeable. In such a state of feeling it is not difficult for her 
paramour to persuade her to elope. The birds alluded to should have flown 
off when the magnetic spell was broken, if they did not want to be swal- 
lowed by the reptile ; and so with women. If they do not wish to succumb 
to the magnetic powers of the seducer, they should avoid his presence, and, 
above all, contact with him. 

"Women, too, often magnetize gentlemen of the opposite temperament, and 
make them do many foolish things — sometimes persuade them to run away 
from helpless families. Now all these evils, and those before adverted to, 
may be, in a great degree, avoided, if the law of mental and physical adapta- 
tion be observed in contracting marriage. Where perfect affinity or con- 
geniality exists, no third party can be more affinitive or congenial. 

It is nevertheless true that congenial marriages may sometimes bo broken 
up by ignorance of tho philosophy of sexual intercourse, as explained in 
another place. It is a common error with many husbands and wives to 
flatter each other that- the animalism of marriage could not possibly be 
enjoyed with any other persons than themselves. This, so far from being 
true, is entirely the reverse. The almost constant contact in presence or 
person of a husband and wife does not allow either to fully regain their 
native electrical conditions, in consequence of which a person less congeni- 
ally adapted physically, may actually possess a higher degree of electrical 
adaptation for either than exists between themselves. This, however, 
could only exist temporarily, if the two persons were allowed to come in 
frequent contact. But ignorance of this fact, sometimes willful and oftener 
otherwise, is the cause of elopements. A husband indulges in an illicit 
amour with a woman perhaps less physically adapted to himself than his 
wife ; but never before having come in such immediate contact with her, 
the electrical conditions of the two are more dissimilar than those existing 
between himself and wife, who have perhaps eaten and slept together for 
years; the deluded man at once supposes his unlawful partner better 
capable of making him happy than his own wife, and an elopement is tho 
result. A week or a month will suffice to bring about an electrical equi- 
librium, and the foolish fellow would gladly return home if his wife and 
society would but give him a cordial and forgiving reception. Wives, 
ignorant of this same philosophy, sometimes becomo unfaithful, and elope- 
ment is generally the result, unless they bo so situated that infidelity cannot 
be detected by injured husbands. Under the last-named circumstances, tho 
wife has an opportunity to learn the physical uncongeniality of her para- 
mour before she takes the bolder step. Between persons of corresponding 
temperament, an equilibrium and a similarity in electrical conditions is sooa 



§56 PHILOSOPHY OP ELOPEMENTS. 

induced, and unhappy indeed must be the wife who abandons a more Con- 
genial husband for a less congenial paramour, while under the intoxication 
of sensuality resulting entirely from temporary dissimilarity in electrical 
conditions. It is high time that men and women understood the philosophy 
of sexual intercourse. Such knowledge would tend to make husbands and 
wive3 more faithful to each other, and greatly aid in the prevention of 
elopements. 

Negligence in dress and in preserving a good personal appearance, on the 
part of married people, is sometimes the cause of elopements. "It is no 
uncommon thing," says a writer, "for women to become slatternly after 
marriage. They say that they have other things to attend to, and dress is 
habitually neglected — except, perhaps, on great occasions, when there is a 
display of finery and bad taste abroad, to be followed by greater negligence 
at home. Great respect is shown to what is called ' company ; ' but, apart 
from this, there is a sort of cui bono abandonment, and the compliment which 
is paid to strangers, is withheld from those who have the best right to claim, 
and are most likely to appreciate it. This is a fatal, but too common error. 
"When a woman, with reference to the question of personal adornment, 
begins to say to herself, 'It is only my husband/ she must prepare herself 
for consequences, which, perhaps, she may rue to the latest day of her life." 
In justice to the wife, it should be said that she does not always 
err in this way voluntarily. Her husband may be a stingy piece 
of meanness, who will not furnish his (literally) better half with the time 
and means to make herself beautiful, graceful, and gentle. So far as prac- 
ticable, however, the wife should endeavor to make herself prepossessing 
to her husband as well as to outsiders. 

Men, too, often become careless in their dress and manners after marriage 
They flatter themselves that their market is made, and that there is no fur- 
ther necessity for honeyed words, cleanly person, and good clothes. The trap 
of matrimony sprung, the two not unfrequently put on "old duds," and 
commence making grimaces at each other. Now, who is surprised to hear 
that one or the other, espying a more attractive person in another cage, or 
basking in "single blessedness," breaks out and runs off with the new 
object of his or her love ? 

Negligence after marriage is, however, generally the result of physical 
and mental unadaptedness, from which springs nearly all infidelity in the 
matrimonial state. Let wise legislation remedy this evil, and we may with 
certainty look for less connubial infelicity, an& fewer love elopements from 
the ranks of the married. 




CHAPTEE VL 

INTERMARRIAGE OF RELATIVES. 

NOTHER natural law in regard to marriage is, says 
Combe, ''that the parties should not be related to each 
other in blood. This law holds good in the transmis- 
sion of all organized beings. Even vegetables are 
deteriorated if the same stock be repeatedly planted on 
the same ground. In the case of the lower animals, a* 
continued disregard of this law is almost universally admitted to 
be detrimental and human nature affords no exception to the rule. 
It is written in our organization, and the consequences of its 
infringement may be discovered in the degeneracy, physical and 
mental, of many nobles and royal families, who have long and 
systematically set it at defiance. Kings of Portugal and Spain, 
for instance, occasionally apply to the Pope for permission to marry nieces. 
The Pope grants the dispensation, and the marriage is celebrated with all 
the solemnities of religion. The blessing of Heaven is invoked on the union. 
The real power of his holiness, however, is put to the test. He is successful 
in delivering the king from the censures of the church, and his offspring 
from the civil consequences of illegitimacy ; but the Creator yields not one 
jot or tittle of His law. The union is altogether unfruitful, or children mis- 
erably constituted in body and imbecile in mind are produced : and this is 
the form in which the Divine displeasure is announced.'' In Turkey, it is 
said of a simpleton, "He is of the Emirs. ,? The Emirs constitute the he- 
reditary nobility, and are the descendants of Fatimah. the daughter of Mo- 
hammed. They have intermarried so long and extensively, that their im- 
becility has become a by- word, even among those who revere the memory 
of the prophet. 

In this country, intermarriage between relatives is practised to an extent 
which calls loudly for legislative interference. Authoritative statisticians 
have shown most plainly that a large percentage of the insanity and idiocy- 
found in our asylums is attributable to this violation of nature's law, — and 
how many other diseases are produced thereby it is difficult to estimate. 
Speaking of the physical effects of intermarriage between blood-relatives, 



858 INTERMARRIAGE OF RELATIVES. 

the editor of the Fredericksburg News Bays, that, in the county in which 
he was raised, "for twenty generations back certain families of wealth and 
respectability have intermarried, until there cannot be found in three op 
four of them a sound man or woman ! One has sore eyes ; another, scrofula, 
a third is an idiot ; a fourth, blind; a fifth, bandy-legged ; a sixth, with a head 
about the size of a turnip ; with not one of the number exempt from physi- 
cal defects of some kind or other." 

The reason why such marriages are injurious to offspring is plainly indi- 
cated in previous chapters, showing the necessity of physical adaptation. 
If two persons of the same temperament are nearly alike electrically, how 
much more so are two individuals of the same blood ; particularly, if of the 
same temperament also. I have no doubt that, in all cases in which the 
children of full cousins entirely escape mental or physical disease, their parents 
happen to be of opposite temperaments. At least, my observation sustains this 
hypothesis. I have seen brothers and sisters so entirely unlike iu tempera* 
ment, as to be less nearly related to each other, physically, than to many 
persons not at all consanguineous. Such cases are rare, but it is neverthe- 
less true they do sometimes occur. This condition oftener exists between 
cousins. But even when cousins do entirely differ in temperament, there is 
one weighty reason why they should not intermarry, viz. : their inherited 
predispositions to disease are generally similar, i:i consequence of which the pre* 
disposed infirmity will almost assuredly be developed in the offspring. When 
there is no such predisposition, and they are of opposite temperament, the 
objection to their intermarriage is not, perhaps, well founded. 

Combe says that " in Scotland, the practice of full cousins marrying is not 
uncommon ; ami you will meet with examples of healthy families born of 
such unions, and from these an argument is maintained against the exist- 
ence of the natural law which wo are considering." "But," continues the 
same writer, " it is only when the parents have both had excellent constitu- - 
tions that the children do not attract attention by their imperfections. 
The first alliance against the natural law brings down the tone of the organs 
and functions, say one degree ; the second, two degrees ; and the third, three ; 
and perseverance in transgression ends in glaring imperfections, or in 
extinction of the race. This is undeniable, and it proves the reality of the 
law." 

Has it ever occurred to the mind of the reader, that a man may as well 
marry a half-sister as a full cousin ? It seems so on investigation. Indeed, 
the fact that the same relationship in blood exists, has been demonstrated 
by the Rev. J. H. Xoyes, in a recent interesting article in the circular. 
A son has fifty per cent, of his father's blood and fifty per cent, of his 
mother's blood ; but his brother or sister has one hundred per cent, of pre- 
cisely the same blood that circulates in his own veins. When two brothers 



INTERMARRIAGE OF RELATIVES. 859 

marry and have children, each of the latter receive fifty per cent, of the 
family blood of their fathers, and therefore possess fifty per cent, of the 
same blood and fifty per cent, of diverse blood. Now, supposing a man has 
two wives, and children by each ; is it not manifest that the children of 
each of these mothers have fifty per cent, of the father's blood and fifty per 
cent, of diverse blood ? This fact seems self-evident, and being so, how, in 
point of consanguinity, do half-brothers and half-sisters differ in blood- 
relationship from full cousins ? and yet it is denounced incestuous for a half- 
brother to sexually mate with a half-sister, and the world at this writing is 
in an uproar about a supposed case of this kind as recently revealed by a 
popular authoress. A great many believe that the charge is false, because 
the " crime " is so unnatural, and those who think the allegation may possibly 
be true, denounce the act as monstrous. Perhaps it would be well to ex- 
pend some of this moral ammunition upon those who marry full cousins. 
Unless temperamental adaptation is remarkably perfect, it would at least 
be well for those contemplating such alliances, to reflect upon this sugges- 
tion. And even when temperamental adaptation is favorable, each of the 
parties thereto have fifty per cent, of the same blood or the same percentage 
that exists in common between a half-brother and a half-sister, and a mar- 
riage between the parties last mentioned would not be tolerated in any 
community in Christendom. 

" It is thought," says Dr. Elliotson, "that a cross within the same nation 
is always desirable, but that a cross between two nations begets offspring 
superior to either. The importance of crossing an inferior nation with a 
better, is shown by the great improvement of the Persians, who were 
originally ugly and clumsy, ill-made and rough-skinned, by intermixing with 
the Georgians and Circassians, the two most beautiful nations in the world." 

" There is hardly a man of rank in Persia," says Lawrence, " who is not 
born of a Georgian or Circassian mother ; and even the king himself is 
commonly sprung, on the female side, from one or the other of theso 
countries." Herein we see the beneficial effects of crossing temperaments. 

The superior enterprise and native intelligence of the people of the 
United States is mainly attributable to the fact that our population has ever 
been heterogeneous, and made up of materials contributed by every nation 
on the globe. We have a mixture of all sorts — French, English, German, 
Scotch, Irish, Russian, Turk, Chinese, and every other variety which the 
old world can furnish, together with contributions from South and Central 
America. These have been, and are, constantly amalgamating or crossing. 
America, consequently, is, as she ought to be, the most powerful and pro- 
gressive nation in the whole world. And still her prospects of future 
greatness would be immeasurably enhanced, if intermarriage between rela- 
tives and like temperaments were prohibited by law. Put a stop to 



860 INTERMARRIAGE OP RELATIVES. 

immigration, and allow consanguineous families and similar temperaments 
to intermarry, and national degeneracy would soon ensue. 

Thus far, accidental crossing, arising from the presence and constant 
influx of foreigners, has given physical and mental vigor to our population ; 
yet we have idiots, maniacs, cripples, consumptives, etc., who are, in a 
majority of instances, the production, directly or indirectly, of bad marriage;:. 
As a nation's greatness depends upon the character of her population, it h 
the duty of every government to bestow at least as much attention upon the 
improvement of her human stock, as agricultural societies expend upon the 
improvement of the breeds of their horses and cattle. 

To have enterprising and intellectual men and women, we must have 
boys and girls who are well developed physically and mentally. To look 
for these without due regard to adaptation in marriage, is as foolish as to 
expect u the olive to grow on the craggy summit of Ben Nevis, or the pine- 
apple to expand amid the glaciers of Grinderwalde." Parents are in great 
degree responsible for the physical infirmities and mental imperfections of 
their children. They are particularly so, when the natural law against the 
intermarriage of relatives has been violated. Once put in operation a 
discriminative system of granting marriage licenses, such as I have sug- 
gested, and the marrying of nieces, cousins, and other blood relatives, will 
be discontinued, except in cases where temperamental difference and freedom 
from inherited diseases render the union unprejudicial. 




» 



^ i# 



«B^ 


jrv^S? 











BY THEIK FRUITS YE SHALI, KNOW THEM. 




CHAPTER VIL 
ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

I NDER this head, I desire to introduce a few essayd of 
interest and use to those who have entered upon the 
duties and responsibilities of monogamlc marriage. 
Having already presented a variety of matter of this 
character in preceding pages, little need to be added here. 
But there are some subjects occurring presently to my 
mind, which may be presented with possibly some profit to the 
reader. 

In starting upon the new life which a man and woman enters at 
the moment they pledge themselves to mutual fidelity and love, no 
one thing is more necessary, than to start with, and maintain, entire 
confidence in each other, and to carefully watch and avoid every possible 
cause that may weaken or destroy it. It is poetically said that this man 
and this woman have become one, and however impossible this may be in a 
physical sense, it is not so in a moral or spiritual one. Nor can this oneness 
exist, unless the hearts and heads of both are opened to each other. No 
necromancer's game, of "Now you see it, and now you don't see it," can be 
safely played by the husband and wife. Every action, and every thought, 
should be frankly made known to each other. Many who have been for 
several years married, and now find that their hopes of happiness in 
matrimony have been irrevocably wrecked, will, with a little retrospective 
reflection on their conjugal voyage, find that the first snag they encountered, 
was an experience or a secret which they hoped to keep far enough below 
the surface, to prevent their family bark from striking it. Foundering by 
this cause, there is little hope of saving it. 

If the husband have a thought, or perform an act, which he desires to 
conceal from his wife, that thought, or that action, is surely something ho 
should, as he values his matrimonial happiness, confide to his wife. If the 
T7ife entertain a secret, or have an experience, which she "would not for 
the world tell her husband," that secret, or that experience is something 
"Which should be confided to the husband, if she would avoid a cause which 
Commonly leads to disaster in matrimony. If ? in any case, the confessor 



862 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

places him or herself in a disagreeable attitude to the other, the more strik- 
ing it is, so much more will its revelation strengthen the confidence of the 
latter in the integrity and intended fidelity of the former. On the other 
hand, every thing which is hidden or concealed by one, if never discovered 
by the other, is the entering wedge of confidence lost. For instance, if the 
husband allows himself to do something which he desires to keep secret 
from his wife, tho very moment he presents himself in this attitude toward 
her, he begins to suspect his \7ife may have been guilty of something she 
is concealing from him. If the wife in any instance acts underhandedly, 
and keeps from the knowledge of her husband something which she should 
not conceal, from that very moment she is liable to suspect him of duplicity 
toward her. "Why? Because it is a peculiarity of the human mind to sus- 
pect it possible in another to do that which you will do yourself. You 
may do more than this, and suspect another of that which you would not 
be guilty of; but you will never, in any instance, do less than believe one 
may possibly be bad enough to do that which you know that you can do, 
and have done, yourself. Is this not aocording to your individual experience, 
and of your observations of human nature the world over ? You must reply, 
Yes. Then j it is readily seen that the deception of one in the marriage union 
causes a discord which threatens disaster to not only the guilty, but the 
innocent party. 

"When, however, deceptions are detected, in spite of attempted conceal- 
ment, farewell to all hope of matrimonial concord and happiness. You 
might as well try to reconstruct a bursted bubble as to attempt to restore 
harmony and confidence here. And there is yet a worse condition, if pos- 
sible. Those who have reached the point of mutual distrust, where the 
Bible is brought in, and the suspected party called to kneel upon it, or kiss 
the book, while affirming or denying in a matter in question, might as well 
divide and pack their dry-goods, and start, one in the direction of the rising 
and the other toward the setting sun, nor look at their watches, even in 
these days of steamboats and steam-cars, until the small-pointer-hand has 
had time to perform one entire revolution. You may as well think of 
rebuilding your burned cottage of the ashes which the wind and smoke have 
scattered over surrounding acres, as to set about the restoration of confi- 
dence between married people who have so often caught each other in de- 
ception that each considers the other — to speak in plain language — an un- 
mitigated liar. "When, therefore, deception which is not discovered leads 
to distrust and jealousy in the mind of the one who successfully practises 
it, and when the discovery of duplicity on the part of one or both inaugu- 
rates a fiery hell on the family hearth, it is plain that the only safe plan for 
the husband and wife to pursue is to have no secrets which are not mutual 
secrets j and to decide what is and what is not a secret, no better rule can, 



THE WIFE THE EQUAL PARTNER. 863 

fee pursued than this one : If it be something which you would just a little 
rather not tell the other, then it is a secret, If it is something which you 
would not have the other know on any account, then it is a tremendous 
secret, and should not be withheld for a moment. If those secrets belong- 
ing to the first class are invariably confided to the " partner of your joys and 
sorrows," you will hardly be likely to have occasion to entertain those be- 
longing to the second class ; but, if you do become the voluntary or invol- 
untary possessor of any such, nothing will more surely strengthen the 
confidence of your companion than for you to make a " clean breast of it," 
and, if a wrong has been committed, lay yourself penitently at the feet of 
your injured companion. With this preliminary counsel as to the best way 
of starting out in married life, I will proceed to give some distinct essays, 
containing suggestions calculated to promote happiness on tho matrimonial 
voyage. 

The Wife the Equal Partner. 

It is the custom of married men to hold the purse-string's, and to enter- 
tain the opinion that they have the right to do so. " Do not I," interrogates 
the egotistical individual in pantaloons, "do the work that earns the 
money, and is it not I that supply the family bread and the clothes for 
the wife and children?" I shall meet this interrogatory with a summary, 
and you may think, impertinent — No, you don't! 

Simply because it is for your interest to put your wife in a less prominent 
position than you occupy yourself in your relations with the world about 
you, this fact, I say, does not establish your claim as the sole earner of the 
means whereby the material wants of your family are supplied. If you 
are poor, and she at home attends to the daily duties of preparing your 
food, washing your clothes, mending them, and keeping your home in the 
best order she is capable of, — is thus spending her hours for the mutual 
good and comfort of the family, while you are in the field or workshop, 
spending your hours in earning money, — every dollar of that money which 
flows to your pocket, equitably belongs — not to one of you — but to each 
of you. Fifty cents of each hundred you have an undoubted right to, but 
to no more ; the other half properly belongs to her. If you are above 
indigency, and servants perform the manual duties of the household, while 
your wife only superintends the domestic machinery, and maintains the 
social status of your family, while you are at the shop or counting-room 
belaboring your brains for money — in equity, fifty per cent, that you earn 
is the undoubted property of your wife, for, as an offset to the time you 
have devoted to money-making, she has spent her time in making yo'ir 
home orderly and pleasant. You arc an equal sharer with her in the 
products of domestic comfort, and she is equally interested with you in 



864: ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

the products of your industry. But here is a family that is rich ; the hus- 
band boasts that he will not allow his wife to do a stroke of work ; his 
pride would be touched if he entered his house and found his wife with 
a needle in her fingers or a broom in her hands. Is she entitled to one- 
half the products of his business, and the interest of the money which is 
loaned? Certainly; why not? Does she not sacrifice that contentment 
of mind which is incompatible with idleness? Does she not indulge him in 
every whim which he thinks will tend to aggrandize the family ? Does not 
she entertain his guests at the table, and in the parlor, and is she not a 
helpmate in all which preserves the family in the social position he so 
greatly desires to maintain ? Suppose he does spend a few hours every 
day in the counting-room, or at his office, does she not spend as many 
in devising ways and means to make the home such a one as he desires, 
and in having her hairs laid one upon another " precisely so" by the 
hair-dresser, in order that her husband may not be ashamed of her, and 
to the end that he may receive compliments to his taste in the selection 
of a wife? 

Really, there is no position in social life where the wife's labors are not, 
valued by dollars and cents, worth just as much as those of the husband. 
And from whom is she to receive her compensation, if not from her husband? 
True, you supply the table, the clothing, the finery, etc. ; but what man is 
there among you who would be willing to work simply for your board and 
clothing? The black men of the South were unwilling to, and the 
abolitionists of the North, espousing their cause, were unwilling that they 
should. Admitting that they were as good, are they any better than our 
wives? The mere fact that you receive the money which comes from 
your mutual labors or sacrifices — or from the properties which belong to 
the family, does not entitle you to exclusively hold it. Even the black 
women of the- South, since the abolition of slavery, are not blind to this 
fact. Mrs. Gage informed us, in 186?, while laboring for their improvement, 
that these women did not want to marry, at least, not in the church, 
" because," they said, "if we are married in the church our husbands have 
the right to all our wages, and can do just what they please with us!" In 
every trading-place you will find persons who are called cashiers or treas- 
urers. You will find them even in dry-goods and grocery stores. "What 
would be thought of one of these chaps in the treasurer's box if he pocketed 
all the money passed over to him by the salesmen ? And how do you think 
the merchant would look under his nose, above his chin, and between his 
whiskers, if, when he came to the cashier for ten dollars, the obstreperous 
individual should ask what he wanted to do with it — "Wouldn't five dollars 
do? — Hadn't you better let me get it for you? — or, Can't you get along without 
it ? Mr. Cashier, indeed, would not have time to ask half these questions, 



THE WIFE THE EQUAL PARTNER. 865 

before the boot of a spirited merchant would come in jarring contiguity with 
the "nap of his pantaloons." 

Now, then, the husband, in every case, should be to his wife in a measure 
what a merchant expects of his cashier. He is simply the treasurer of the 
family, the custodian of the funds, not the sole earner or owner of them. 
He expends from the common fund a great deal of n pin-money" without 
giving any account to his wife what he does with it ; and her privileges 
should be fully equal with his. If some objector says that women are 
spendthrifts, the same charge may be justly made against men ; or, in 
other words, if you will examine into the characteristic^ of the men and 
women of any neighborhood you choose to select, you shall find as many 
spendthrifts amoDg the men as among the women, and, according to my 
observation, a great many more. Nor could a better cure be devised, if it 
is homeopathic or based upon the principle that ' ; like cures like,'' than for 
the money of the spendthrift husband to be accessible to the spendthrift 
wife, or vice versa. The grand result of their mutual prodigality would 
work out its own remedy in time. 

The fact is, there is more danger to the finances of the family when the 
husband is a spendthrift than when the wife is one, and the same would 
be the case if the family purse were open to both parties. The income of 
the family generally enters his hands, as he is the treasurer, and he may be 
a defaulter to an immense sum without the knowledge of the wife. If the 
husband will in all cases make the wife a confidant in regard to the present 
and prospective finances of the family, there is little reason to fear that 
she will be a spendthrift, and it will be time enough when she proves her- 
self one, for him to keep her fingers out of the family funds; nor should 
this arbitrary rule exist unless it may be reversed if the husband be the 
one against whom the charge of prodigality may be justly made. In 
monogamic marriage, to insure even tolerable happiness — privileges and 
disabilities should bear equally upon husband and wife. 

The idea that so generally prevails, that the husband should be the sole 
master of all the products of the family industry or the family estates, while 
it causes much annoyance and often suffering to the wife daring the contin- 
uance of a matrimonial contract, results in greater injustice to the wife in 
case of separation or divorce. In cases of this kind, often the merest pit- 
tance is set aside for alimony for the wife when the late husband is luxu- 
riating in wealth. An instance illustrative of this occurs to the mind of 
tho author at this moment, wherein the divorced wife of a man who is 
worth not less than two or three hundred thousand dollars, receives ali- 
mony to the extraordinary amount of seven dollars per week — consider- 
ably less than his coachman gets for his services ! If the view I am 
endeavoring to impress upon the minds of the public could become general 
' 37 



866 



ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 



as to the joint copartnership of husband and wife in the family revenues 



Fig. 189. 




THE APPLE. 

Raised by the mutual industry of the pair, should 

be divided equally in case of separation 

or divorce. 



such injustice could not em- 
anate from the court-room, 
nor be tolerated by a Chris- 
tian community. The least 
that can be justly set aside 
for the wife in case of sepa- 
ration or divorce, is an equal 
half of all that has been ac- 
cumulated from the day of 
the marriage to the hour of 
its dissolution, unless there 
be children, in which case the 
share which in equity belongs 
to them, should first be de- 
ducted from the whole, and 
an equal division made of the 
remainder. Then the parent 
adjudged best qualified to 
bring up the children should 
be the trustee of their por- 
tion. In most cases this 
office would fall to the mother, 
and in nature ought to, unless 



there are reasons of sufficient weight to order otherwise. 

When, however, a woman marries a rich husband, or a man marries a 
rich wife, it would be difficult to apply this rule in separation or divorce, 
because, if applied, it would encourage mercenary men, and women of like 
character, to contract marriage with the rich, with the primary intention of 
effecting a separation at as early a day as would be compatible with external 
decency. In cases of this kind, and in all those involving nice points, a 
Board of Physiologists for licensing marriage and granting divorces such as 
I have recommended in the chapter commencing on page 830, would be just 
what would be wanted. A Board of this kind would be likely to prevent the 
marriages of men and women for any such motives, and when, by apparent 
mental and physical adaptation on the part of the applicants, they manage to 
accomplish their purpose, a body of this kind could determine with the great- 
est degree of probability as to how much their marriage was due to mercenary 
motives, and how much to natural attraction. In all cases wherein good rea- 
sons were presented to show that the parties were actuated by the right mo- 
tives in contracting the marriage which they, one or both, seek to renounce, a 



SLEEPING APART §67 

good share of the wealth of the one who brought money to the family should 
be set aside for the one who came in empty-handed ; and in all cases where 
this is not done, a fair salary for the latter should be deducted from the money 
or estates of the wealthy party — a salary reckoned from the day of marriage 
to the hour of its dissolution. It rather spoils one, as everybody knows, for 
the practical duties of life, or at least for the labors one encounters in poverty, 
to spend many years in the luxurious ease common to affluence ; hence, a man 
who has been taken out of his original element, and been pampered and 
spoiled by a rich wife, or a woman who has been raised, by marriage to a 
wealthy man, from an humble position to one that has turned her brain and 
unfitted her for the place she formerly occupied, should, in case of separation, 
be abundantly provided for from the family estates, unless it can be clearly 
proven that the motives of the one having the scantiest purse were simply 
to revel for a while in the luxuries of an extravagant home, and depart 
when tired, bearing off a share of the injured companion's fortune. 

If public opinion could undergo reformation in the matter under considera- 
tion, our law courts would feel compelled to do better, but the organization 
of such a marrying and divorcing Board as I have suggested, would be just 
the measure that could successfully guard both the front and back doors of 
marriage, and dispense even justice to those who seek to sever an ugly or 
burdensome yoke. 

Sleeping Apart. 

Married people sustaining the monogamic relation, especially, make a 
great mistake in allowing themselves to sleep together. This practice leads 
in a measure to uncongeniality. From five to eight hours bodily contact in 
every twenty-four with one person not only causes an equalization of 
those magnetic elements which, when diverse in quantity and quality, pro- 
duce physical attraction and passional love, but it promotes permanent un- 
congeniality by making the married pair grow alike physically. The inter- 
change of individual electricities, and the absorption of each other's exhala- 
tions, lead directly to temperamental inadaptation, and to this cause may 
doubtless be ascribed one of the chief reasons why a husband and wift 
manifest such a tendency to grow alike after many years of matrimonial 
companionship. 

The "Laws of Life," commenting on this subject, remarks, and, I think 
very truly, that "more quarrels arise between brothers, between sisters, 
between hired girls, between school-girls, between clerks in stores, between 
apprentices in mechanic shops, between hired men, between husbands and 
wives, owing to electrical changes through which their nervous systems go 
by lodging together night after night under the same bedclothes, than by 
any other disturbmg cause. There hi nothing that will so derange the nervous 



868 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

system of a person who is eliminative in nervous force as to lie all night in 
bed with another person who is absorbent in nervous force. The absorber 
will go to sleep and rest all night, while the eliminator will be tumbling and 
tossing, restless and nervous, and wake up in the morning fretful, peevish, 
fault-finding, and discouraged. No two persons, no matter who they are, 
should habitually sleep together. One will thrive and the other will lose. 
This is the law ; and in married life it is defied almost universally. ,, 

If the quotation be true, we find that the mischief is even greater than 
that presented in the first paragraph, or perhaps it may be said that, added 
to what I have suggested, the reasons why married people should sleep 
apart are peculiarly striking and important. In corroboration of what is 
stated in the quotation, I may say, that I have been informed hundreds of 
times by husbands who have consulted me, that they felt ever so much 
better when absent from home, or when by some incidental causes they 
slept apart from their wives, and quite as many married women have 
reported precisely the same results regarding their experience when rooming 
with or without their husbands. It is evidently far from being a whim, or 
it would not be entertained by so many people who have no social inter- 
course or acquaintance by which to originate it and report it uniformly. 
The statement comes from quarters too diverse, to allow the charge to be 
made that it is a morbid fancy and a local contagion, which originally sprang 
from the imagination of some nervous old lady. 

A reform in this custom, however, can hardly be expected to be made in 
one generation. Husbands and wives who have been in the practice of sleep- 
ing together for five to thirty years, will hardly be persuaded to relinquish 
the social luxury of spending their nights together, especially if their matri- 
monial life has led to a fair amount of social enjoyment. The retiring chit- 
chat, and the morning helps of a little pinning or brushing, and aid in 
buttoning or hooking, are little affairs, but great in the aggregate, and not 
to be easily set aside. And even the habit of feeling a companion by one's 
side during the waking moments, or when turning over, is one which can- 
not be given up by some, without passing many restless or sleepless nights 
in getting used to it. For all persons, however, who are disposed to under- 
take a partial reform in this matter, the plain people of G-ermany have a 
practice which might be adopted as a sort of compromise. A newspaper 
writer speaks of it as follows : " The married people, of plain life, sleep in 
two single beds, each being a ' sweet little isle' of its own, while the two 
are affectionately contiguous. The connubial neighbors can respectfully 
shake hands, and wish good- night and good-morning. But the territory of 
each is distinct; the cloths are cut separate; each bed is complete, and 
there is no continuousness of bolster or implied community of pillow." Th© 
adoption of this custom would be a step in the right direction ; but for the 



SEXUAL MODERATION. 869 

improvement of the monogamic system of marriage, and to the end that 
physical adaptation attained at the outset may be preserved, it would be 
better for the young folk who are following in our footsteps, to avoid our 
mistakes, and that cf sleeping together is clearly one of them. 

In addition to the suggestions already offered, why married people may 
better sleep apart, there is a consideration of an aesthetic nature, which may 
with propriety be urged here. It is this : Young or unmarried people, when 
they meet each other in society, are more or less ornamented by their 
costume, and, too, their faces are washed, their teeth brushed, and their 
hair combed. Now, it is not a little dampening to the romantic element of 
a refined nature, to meet the companion you love in a nightcap and night- 
gown at night, and then to behold the whole ni^ht gear thoroughly mussed 
with the night's sleep, on arising in the morning. Then, again, nearly every- 
body snores a little — some a great deal — music which is not bewitching nor 
calculated to make one place a greater value upon his or her matrimonial 
partner. Where there is one ''sleeping beauty/' there are a hundred 
persons who in their slumbers look like facial contortionists. Throw a 
glance at the sleepers in stages and other public conveyances, if you don't 
want to look at home, and decide if what I say is not true. Nothing but 
the baby — "the blessed baby " — as a general rule, looks graceful in the arms 
of Morpheus. As for night-clothes, they are little less than hideous in some, 
and fantastic in the best of families. ''Nature unadorned is." certainly, 
" adorned the most " when the clothing of the day is thrown off. To preserve 
the charm which takes root in the imagination and perfumes the fancy 
during courtship, these considerations, to make use of a euphonious expres- 
sion, are not to be "sneezed at,'' although their importance bears no com- 
parison to that of the suggestions contained in the first paragraph of this 
essay, and those given in the quotation from the " Laws of Life." 

Sexual Moderation. 

Both health and happiness in monogamic married life are seriously cur- 
tailed by sexual excess, growing out of ignorance of the philosophy of 
sexual intercourse. No man or woman should neglect to read the essay 
commencing on page 622. for a perusal of that cannot fail to impress the 
mind of the reader with the fact that sexual excess, besides exhausting the 
nervous system, and thereby rendering its victims susceptible to disease, 
produces in the monogamic relation sexual satiety. In no way, probably, 
can the physiologist apply a more certain remedy to this evil than to con* 
vince married people that moderation in indulgence heightens the pleasure, 
and that those who give way to excess lose much of the sexual enjoyment 
afforded in married life With this view, I shall treat this subject more 



870 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

with reference to the direct effects of sexual excess upon the pleasures than 
upon the health of the married. 

Bearing on this point, I find some very truthful remarks in " Love and 
Parentage," by 0. S. Fowler. "If." says the writer, "parents would 
diminish their frequency so as to enhance ecstasy, they would be incalcula- 
ble gainers in the amount of pleasure experienced, besides doubling, per- 
haps quadrupling, all the endowments of their offspring. No mistake can 
be greater than the prevalent supposition that hymeneal pleasure is in pro- 
portion to frequency ; whereas it is in the reverse ratio. Do we not enjoy 
a single meal, when really hungry, more than scores when not so? So 
here frequency begets satiety, and gluts the appetite and enjoyment. 
Suppose New Year came once a week, we should take less pleasure in lifty- 
two New Years than we now do in one, because frequency would render it 
insipid ; whereas, now, weeks and months are spent in most delightful 
preparation and anticipation of this one day, which is often an instrument 
of more and more exalted pleasure, than any entire month of the year. The 
applicability of this illustration to the case in hand, is too apparent to 
require specification, and the practical lesson here taught should induce 
the married, merely as a means of securing the very pleasure sought, to 
partake less often, that it may be with a keener relish. 

" Bear in mind that we write to promote sexual pleasure instead of to 
curtail it. We recommend abstinence in order to increase the sum total of 
enjoyment, and deprecate frequency, because destructive of the very 
pleasure sought. The epicurean philosophy is the true one. Self-denial 
forms no part of our creed. We go for self- enjoyment in the fullest sense 
of that term, and in its application to the subject in hand. We wish to 
show parents how they can the most effectually enjoy this banquet, instead 
of diminishing one iota from hymeneal bliss as such. That exercise of this 
function is most concordant with nature which yields the most enjoyment, 
both in and of itself, and in its various and multifarious bearings on our 
other enjoyments. Thus qualified, neither our motives nor our philosophy 
can well be misunderstood ; for we give the largest liberty compatible with 
the highest, sexual enjoyment, to promote which is the one desire of both this 
section and this work. Call me not a hymeneal stoic, but epicure ; yet as 
gluttony precludes gustatory pleasure, and as a single meal, eaten with the 
keen relish conferred by appetite, gives more and more exalted pleasure 
than scores without it, so hymeneal postponement is the secret of hymeneal 
appetite and pleasure ; while, as the gourmand can never know exalted 
gustatory pleasure, so the cloyed advocates of connubial frequency neces- 
sarily deprive themselves of most of the pleasures they seek, and what few 
are left are embittered." Continues the same writer, sexual excess "breeds 
disgust for its paramour. We are compelled, by a law of mind, to regard a 



SEXUAL MODERATION. 871 

frequent partner of sensuality as a kind of animal tool, a mere sexual 
thing, gross, low, and sensual. This shows why the libertine, however 
intently he pursued his 'game,' before indulgence, always becomes in- 
different afier desire is sated, and finally casts her off. This is always the 
case, because based in the law of mind that sensuality, in and of itself, 
degrades its joint partner in their own eyes, and in the eyes of each other 
breeds disgust of self and one another, deteriorates the moral tone, and 
demeans and annualizes the entire being. This abasement is inherent in 
excessive indulgence for its own sake ; nor does marriage wipe away the 
polluting stain. Carnality is carnality, the world over, in wedlock as much 
as out of it, and constitutionally "breeds contempt, disgust' and hatred, even 
between the married. This must ahcays be the case where animal indul- 
gence is sought ; the laws of nature knowing no difference between those 
legally married or unmarried. I speak of mere animal indulgence as such." 

Many good things have been written by physiologists on this subject, 
but their arguments against sexual excess lack vitality, because neither 
themselves nor their readers correctly understand the true philosophy of 
sexual intercourse, and upon a proper understanding of this depends the 
reformation of married people. 

As has been previously shown, sexual pleasure is produced by the action 
of electricity, in three forms, on the sensitive nerves permeating the sexual 
organs, viz. : individual electricity, chemical electricity, and frictional elec- 
tricity. The first is the natural product of every animal organism; the 
second, of the union of acid and alkali : the third, of friction, which draws 
the electricity from the nervous systems of both the male and female while 
in the act of coition. Xow. to render individual electricity active in copula* 
tion, sufficient time must elapse between each indulgence to allow the male 
and female to regain the electrical conditions peculiar to each. Sexual 
pleasure depends, in great measure, on the electrical difference existing 
between the parties, and the longer intercourse is abstained from, the more 
unlike will they become electrically, and consequently, greater will be the 
enjoyment if long intervals intervene between each copulation. That this 
philosophy is sustained by fact, every married couple know who have come 
together after long separations. The electrical conditions of two persons 
of the same temperament may become as much uulike by protracted sepa- 
ration, as those of two persons of opposite temperament who are continually 
together. Hence, married people of like temperament should be more 
abstemious than their neighbors, who are physically adapted. In order to 
derive the same amount of gratification. 

To render chemical electricity active in copulation, sufficient time must 
elapse for the vagina to get clear of the neutralized fluid. As soda is 
insipid after the effervescent effect is over, so is the alkali of the vagina 



872 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

dead and inactive after having been neutralized by the acid of the male. 
Several days, and sometimes weeks, must elapse, after one indulgence, 
before the secretions of the vagina will become so purely alkaline as to be 
prepared for another animated combination with the acid of the male. 

The action of frictional electricity is about all that is left to exercise the 
nerves of the generative organs of the slaves to sexual excess. The enjoy- 
ment of this is not so much dependent upon moderation, because the nerv- 
ous systems of all living persons are constantly supplied, more or less, with 
vital electricity, to carry on the various functions of life, such as digestion, 
muscular motion, etc., and this can be diverted to the sexual organs by 
violent friction. But all this is at the expense of the vital system, and 
brings sexual excess down on a par with that horrible practice — masturba- 
tion. Many married people open their eyes with holy horror, when they 
learn of the secret practices of careless youth, apparently unconscious that 
sexual excess is no better. But such is the fact. 

" Who can say," interrogates Dr. Dixon, " that these excesses are not 
often followed by those direful diseases, insanity and consumption ? The 
records of our madhouses, and the melancholy deaths by consumption, of 
the newly-married, bear ample witness to the truth of such assertion. Are 
they not transmitted to posterity ? Look at the frequent mental imbecility, 
and the pallid hue, and attenuated form of the children who are the earlier 
products of marriage, and see the parents vibrating between life and the 
grave, until the candid physician, or the terrors of death, teach them to 
abstain, and nature gathers up her shattered powers, and asserts anew her 
control of the „ organism. Should the lesson suffice and mature age be 
attained, again look at the offspring; if the first children survive, the last 
would not seem to be born of the same parents, so different are they in 
vigor and sprightliness ; and in maturer life, almost invariably more intel- 
lectual." We, therefore, see that the sexual happiness of married people, 
and the health of parent and child, depend upon moderation in the mar- 
riage-bed. 

I have said, in one part of this volume, that excess on the part of the male 
is more ruinous than excess practised by the female. This statement is 
based on the supposition that the amative desire, or amative excitability, 
is equal, or in other words, one is as amative as the other. But when the 
female is apathetic sexually, with perhaps not only no desire, but rather an 
aversion to intercourse, then it injures her most, for the reason that that 
friction of the parts, without their excitement, induces irritation, and finally 
inflammation, and other uterine affections which ultimately destroy the life 
of the wife. There are men made up so strong in their animal organs, 
having excessively large cerebellums or back heads, that can endure a 
great amount of sexual indulgence ; these persons, in some instances, kill 



JEALOUSY. 573 

off a great many wives. Why ? Because women are more aesthetic than 
men, and the beastliness of such a husband will in time kill out every 
desire; intercourse becomes disgusting to them; they dread the approach 
of their husbands. With this state of apathy and aversion on the part 
of the female, intercourse is mechanical, and the contusion of her organs by 
the organ of the male, is just about as injurious as if a billet of wood 
were introduced instead of the organ which nature provided. But all this 
excess on the part of men so powerfully made up in their animal organiza- 
tion, eventually cripples them. They may stand it for ten or twenty, or 
even thirty years, but when they become old men. you shall generally 
find them crippled by paralysis of body or imbecility of mind. When the 
amative passion is stronger on the part of the wife, end the husband is 
induced to indulge too frequently, his spermatic losses are so excessive, 
that he very soon breaks down, for his animal organization is not made up 
strongly enough to even presently endure the drain. I am often asked the 
questiou as to how frequently intercourse may be indulged in without 
injury. I am compelled to respond that no precise rule can be laid down 
in figures. There is one rule, however, which every one ought to observe, 
and which will answer for all persons better than any one proposing a 
certain number of times per month or per year. It is this: Do not have 
connection when there is any reason to suspect that you will feel a sense 
of exhaustion after it. Whenever it occurs, followed by a sense of great 
fatigue, you may depend upon it, that you have violated physiological law. 
Physical exercise may be indulged in to a point which brings only a sense 
of pleasant fatigue, so that it may feel agreeable to sit down : but when 
you carry the exercise to that excess that you realize a sense of exhaustion, 
and sit down or lie down with a feeling as if you could never get up, you 
may depend upon it you have injured yourself. So with intercourse : a 
slight sense of fatigue following it may not indicate excess ; but a sense of 
utter exhaustion succeeding it always does. 

Jealousy. 

This " green-eyed monster " is a common visitor at the hearth of the 
monogamic family, and is a great destroyer of its peace. As I have what 
I regard an infallible remedy for it, I desire to give the prescription to such 
as are willing to swallow a dose that will do them good, if taken without 
regard to its momentary bitterness. 

To the husband: When you see that your wife takes a fancy to some 
gentleman, do not try to find out how many bad things people say of him, 
and report them to her ; do not criticise what you regard as his personal 
defects and bad manners ; nor is it best in any way to oppose her fancy by 
saying all sorts of disparaging words against the gentleman. From this 
37* 



874 



ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 



offensive course, which only deepens the sentiment entertained for him. 

by your wife, turn to an amiable and conciliatory one, and invite the 

new object of her attraction 
to tea with you, and if it b© 
possible to say any thing good 
of him, eulogize his many good 
qualities; indeed, in all re- 
spects treat him handsomely. 
This will make your wife ad- 
mire your generosity and feel 
grateful to you. The gentle- 
man, on the other hand, if he be 
at all honorable, will at once be 
placed where he cannot with 
any pleasure take advantage of 
your hospitality. Every mo- 
ment of ecstasy will have its 
hours of remorse. Give the two 
an opportunity to socially ex- 
change magnetisms, and there 
will be less temptation to 
clandestinely go further. This 

JEALOUSY. ... , ._ . , M 

will make your wife amiable, 
strengthen her resolutions of chastity, and the gentleman, in most instances, 
will feel compelled to pursue an honorable course toward you. In brief, 
both wife and guest will feel under obligations of honor not to do any 
thing which will be distasteful to you. 

To the wife: When you hear from somebody that your husband is very 
attentive to some woman in the neighborhood, suppress all appearance of 
distrust or displeasure ; ask him to invite her to call, and if he does not ask 
her, or if an invitation is unheeded, take pains to make her acquaintance 
by some means, if you are not already acquainted. Then drop in to see 
her ; something may be conjured up as an excuse. You can make up an 
errand of some kind. Then follow up your attentions to her, whether they 
are returned or not. Ask her to tea. If she be a person much below you 
in social position, or one whom the tongue of scandal has openly assailed ; 
or if, indeed, she bo a courtesan, and your fashionable and respectable neigh- 
bors express surprise that you associate with her, quietly assure them that 
she is an intimate friend of your husband, and that he seems very much 
attached to her, and, further, that you keep her company on his account. 
This course of conduct will result in one of two ways : either he will be 
ashamed of the position in which he is placed, and abandon his attentions 




JEALOUSY. 875 

to her, or if her position in society is respectable, and he chooses to con- 
tinue them, he will feel grateful to you that you do so much for his pleas- 
ure. He will admire your magnanimity, regard you as a whole-souled 
woman, and could not, if he would, disengage his affections from you. 

"Well, supposing this course on either side leads to illicit intimacy, what 
then ? I reply, it is difficult to see that the ultimate result can be any 
more disastrous to your matrimonial happiness than if the attraction was 
opposed. Open social association is certainly less likely to lead to illicit 
intercourse than clandestine meetings. The latter are liable to occur where 
much jealousy is exhibited. Even where illicit intimacy may have existed 
before the social intimacy was detected, unless it bo your plan to separate 
and make the infidelity a cause of divorce, you may better pursue the same 
plan advised in the foregoing, for it will make the guilty party more confi- 
dential, and you will be able to judge with considerable certainty whether 
the intimacy continues. And if it be persisted in, the affections of the erring 
one will be less likely to be alienated from you than if the fancy be opposed, 
and you will continue to exercise more or less controlling influence over 
him or her. If opposition is made, oppose on grounds of morality, expe- 
diency, or respectability, rather than those of personality. Do not gather 
up all the vindictives your nature is capable of conceiving against the 
intruder, and hurl them at your companion. Such a course will lessen 
the love of the latter for you, and strengthen his or her affections for the 
former; the chasm between the married pair will constantly widen, and 
the erring companion will be found at last by the side of the abused and 
contumacious lover. 

These are strange words, but they are true. Analyze the peculiarities 
of the human mind, and see if they are not theoretically correct. I am pre- 
pared, from much observation, to assure you that they are practically so, 
for there are families to-day living in tolerable, and to all external appear- 
ances, in perfect harmony, who were just on the point of matrimonial dis- 
ruption, when, by adopting this recipe, the disaster was averted. It is 
common, when a person becomes jealous from either an imaginary or real 
cause, for him or her to become frantic and run around like a crazed boy 
who has exploded a fire-cracker in his eyes. The injured party is as blind 
as a bat and as uneasy as an eel on the hook of the fisherman. What is 
worse, lie or she continually stumbles into the worst blunders instead of the 
best expedients in the painful emergency. My advice to all of yoa in this 
situation is to " simmer down ;" take half an hour to eat a bowl of bread 
and milk, or a plate of ice-cream ; pause for reflection after you have finished 
it; study human nature in all its phases, as presented to your observation 
and experience ; then, instead of running your head against a stone wall, 
use its contents, if it have any, in devising means for preserving or recon- 



876 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

quering the affections of the unfaithful spouse, and after trying all reason- 
able measures, besides whi. t you may possibly regard as the unreasonable 
ones herein presented, if unsuccessful, your present remedy is in the courts, 
and it is to be hoped that your not far future one is in a " Board of Physiolo- 
gists," as explained in the chapter before this. Thus relieved from the 
yoke which resulted in so much bitterness, it will not be difficult for you 
to fix your affections on another whose conduct may not arouse jealousy. 
If you are given constitutionally to this morbid feeling, it would be well, if 
a man, to marry a homely woman ; if a woman, to marry an ugly-looking 
husband. You will usually be able to keep such a person wholly to your- 
self. A homely dog is never stolen. It is one of your fine " black-and- 
tans," or majestic "Newfoundlands," that gets enticed away from the 
family yard. But the rules I have prescribed at the outset to the husband 
and wife are certainly not more difficult than the golden one laid down in 
the New Testament, that " when your neighbor smites you on one cheek 
you shall turn to him the other." 

Prevention of Conception. 

In the ''Centennial year," when patriotic Americans where celebrating 
the nation's progress , the author of this work was compelled by the laws 
of his country to expurgate so much of this essay as in any way related 
to mechanical devices for the prevention of conception. While joining 
heartily with his countrymen in expressions of joy over achievements 
of which we, as a nation, may justly feel proud, he feels it a duty to 
enter a solemn protest as a physician to this piece of meddlesome im- 
pertinence on the part of the hasty law-makers who have inconsiderately 
obeyed the behests of a handful of mistaken moralists. The position 
taken by the author in earlier editions was practically this : That many 
people, in consequence of constitutional ill-health, inherited scrofula, 
predisposition to insanity, physical deformity, indigence and downright 
pauperism, should be provided with means for regulating reproduction, 
and consistently with this position the best known means were recom- 
mended in a separate pamphlet, entitled "Words in Pearl, " which was 
supplied for the nominal sum of ten cents. This little tract cost the 
author a fine of- $3,500, and over $5,000, including all the expenses of 
the trial, for which reason he would beg his readers to excuse him from 
giving any advice upon this subject until there is a change in our Con- 
gressional and State laws. According to promise, however, in Part 
IIL, the author will explain here what the Oneida Communists mean by 
"male continence." The Rev. J. H. Noyes, their leader, says: 

"We begin by analyzing the act of sexual intercourse. It is not such a 
simple affair that it cannot be taken in parts. It has a beginning, middle 
and end. Its beginning and most elementary form is the simple presence 



PRETENTION OF CONCEPTION. 877 

of the male organ in the female. Then usually follows a series of reciprocal 
motions. Finally, this exercise brings on a reflex nervous action or ejacula- 
tory crisis which expels the seed. Now, we insist that this whole process, 
up to the very moment of emission, is voluntary, entirely under the control 
of the moral faculty, and can be stopped at any point. In other words the 
presence and the motions can be continued or stopped at will, and it is only 
the final orgasm that is automatic or uncontrollable. 

41 Suppose then, that a man, in lawful intercourse with woman, choosing 
for good reasons not to beget a child or to disable himself, should stop at 
the primary stage and content himself with simple presence, continued as 
long as agreeable ? "Would there be any harm ? It cannot be injurious to 
refrain from furious excitement. Would there be no good? I appeal to the 
memory of every man who has had good sexual experience to say whether, 
on the whole, the sweetest and noblest period of intercourse with woman 
is not Wi&t first moment of simple presence and spiritual effusion, before the 
muscular exercise begins. 

u But we may go farther. Suppose the man chooses for good reasons, as 
before, to enjoy not only the simple presence, but also the reciprocal motion, 
and yet to stop short of the final crisis. Again I ask, would there be any 
harm ? Or would it do no good ? I suppose physiologists might say, and I 
would acknowledge, that the ^excitement by motion might be carried so far, 
that a voluntary suppression of the commencing crisis would be injurious. 
But what if a man, knowing his own power and limits, should not even 
approach the crisis, and yet be able to enjoy the presence and the motion ad 
libitum ? If you say that this is impossible, I answer that I know it is possi- 
ble — nay, that it is easy. 

11 1 will admit, however, that it may be impossible to some, while it is 
possible to others. Paul intimates that some cannot ,; contain." Men of 
certain temperaments and conditions are afflicted with involuntary emis- 
sions on very trivial excitement, and in their sleep. But I insist that these 
are exceptional, morbid cases that should be disciplined and improved ; and 
that, in the normal condition, men are entirely competent to choose in 
sexual intercourse whether they will stop at any point in the voluntary 
stages of it, and so make it simply an act of communion, or go through to 
the involuntary stage, and make it an act of propagation. 

"You have now our whole theory of 'male continence.' It consists in 
analyzing sexual intercourse, recognizing in it two distinct acts, the social 
and the propagative, which can be separated practically, and affirming that 
it ib best, not only with reference to prudential considerations, but for im- 
mediate pleasure, that a man should content himself with tho social act^ 
except when he intends procreation. 

* * * ***** 



378 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

"1. It does not seek to prevent the congress of the sexes, but rather 
gives them more freedom, by removing danger of undesired conse- 
quences. 2. It does not seek to prevent the natural effects of the prop- 
agative act, but to prevent the propagative act itself, except when it is 
intended to be effectual. 3. Of course, it does not seek to destroy the liv- 
ing results of the propagative act, but provides that impregnation and child- 
bearing shall be voluntary, and, of course, desired. 

" And now, to speak affirmatively, the exact thing that our theory does 
propose is, to take that same power of moral restraint and self-control which 
Paul, Malthus, the Shakers, and all considerate men use, in one way or 
another, to limit propagation, and, instead of applying it, as they do, to the 
prevention of the congress of the sexes, to introduce it at another stage of 
the proceedings, viz., after the sexes have come together in social effusion, 
and before they have reached the propagative acme ; thus allowing them all, 
and more than all, the ordinary freedom of love (since the crisis always 
interrupts the romance), and at the same time avoiding undesired pro- 
creation, and all the other evils incident to male incontinence. This is 
our fourth way, and we think it the better way. 

"The wholesale and ever-ready objection to this method is that it is un- 
natural, and unauthorized by the example of other animals. I may answer, in 
a wholesale way, that cooking, wearing clothes, living in houses, and almost 
every thing else done by civilized man, is unnatural in the same sense, and 
that a close adherence to the example of the brutes would require us to 
forego speech, and go on ' all fours I 1 But, on the other hand, if it is nat- 
ural, in the best sense — as I believe it is — for rational beings to forsake the 
example of the brutes, and improve nature, by invention and discovery in 
all directions, then, truly, the argument turns the other way, and we shall 
have to confess that, until men and women find a way to elevate their sex- 
ual performances above those of the brutes, by introducing into them moral 
culture, they are living in unnatural degradation. 

" But I will come closer to this objection," says Mr. Noyes. " The real 
meaning of it is, that male continence, as taught by us, is a difficult and 
injurious interruption of a natural act. But every instance of self-denial is 
an interruption of some natural act. The man who virtuously contents 
himself with a look at a beautiful woman, is conscious of such an interrup- 
tion. The lover who stops at a kiss denies himself a natural progression. 
It is an easy, descending grade through all the approaches of sexual love, 
from the first touch of respectful friendship to the final complete amalgama- 
tion. Must there be no interruption of this natural slide ? Brutes, animal 
or human, tolerate none. Shall their ideas of self-denial prevail ? Nay, it 
is the glory of man to control himself, and the Kingdom of Heaven sum- 
mons him to self-control in all things. If it is noble and beautiful for the 



PREVENTION OF CONCEPTION. 879 

it is noble and beautiful for the betrothed lover to respect the law of 
marriage in the midst of the glories of courtship, it may be even more 
noble and beautiful for the wedded lover to respect the unwritten laws 
of health and propagation in the midst of the ecstacies of sexual union. 
The same moral culture that ennobles the antecedents and approaches 
of marriage will some time surely glorify the consummation." 

Whatever success may have attended the plan of the Rev. Mr. Noyes 
in the community of which he was the recognized leader, it will not 
be adopted to any prevailing extent in society at large. Indeed, the very 
ones who ought not to propagate their kind at all — the violent and crim- 
inal classes — will never listen to any advice requiring the exercise of 
self-denial or restraint. With mechanical means which would not inter- 
fere with their pleasures they might be induced to avoid the responsi- 
bilities of parentage, for they are mainly bent upon selfish indulgence. 
A plan or a device, to be successful, must be one which married people 
in general will be willing to adopt. Earnest thought and attention, and 
the comparing of observations of many physicians in extensive practice 
are only necessary to perfect mechanical means and to in time discover 
the secret which Nature has so long locked up in her secret ' ' Library of 
Wonders." We shall not find it out with our eyes shut or with them 
effectually put out by the sharp-pointed statutes of our law-makers. It 
is not necessary here to enter into criticism of existing laws relating to 
this matter, for a little pamphlet entitled " A Step Backward," review- 
ing such mistaken legislation, will be sent to any interested reader on 
receipt of ten cents by the author or his publishers. In this little tract, 
which must for the time being take the place of " Words in Pearl." are 
presented those moral and physiological considerations which show the 
importance in many instances of having means at hand for making 
sexual indulgence fruitless. Never, until they are, can the human 
family make much progress in scientific propagation ; and, again, never 
until the laws relating to the latter are understood and faithfully ob- 
served will the moral and physical delinquencies which now afflict the 
race be eradicated. While regeneration may be necessary for those 
who are already born morally and physically accursed, let us so look to 
the laws governing generation that regeneration will be rendered un- 
necessary. To say nothing of the " headachy," the dyspeptic, consump- 
tive, scrofulous, idiotic, insane, blind, deaf and dumb; the inefficient, 
indigent and squalid; the pauper generating swarms of paupers and the 
beggar at every thrifty door; the thief and highwayman reproducing 
new broods of their kind and feeding them from the storehouses of the 
honest and industrious; to say nothing, I repeat, of all these which 
afflict the family and society, every community is infested with physical 
weaklings and natural born sinners of less marked type who stand in 



880 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

the path of human progress. But our legislators practically say that 
the State has need of all this stuff, and that accidental reproduction 
shall go on ! In the supplement to the Health Monthly for August, 1876, 
which can be had by sending one dime, may be found the story of the 
writer's trial, to which allusion has been made at the opening of this 
essay. A perusal of this startling document will show how easily a per- 
son in this enlightened age and in this free and happy country may go 
to prison for conscience' sake. Only because of the author's large prac- 
tice, the humane thought on the part of the Judge that patients might 
suffer, and the pleadings of influential friends in high places, was the 
writer released from the firm grip of the law and allowed to go to his 
home and family instead of the prison and its swarm of criminal hab- 
itants. Let it be borne in mind, too, that the offence related to the 
pamphlet entitled " Words in Pearl," and to matters appertaining to the 
prevention of conception, and to nothing whatever connected with 
foeticide or abortion, which practices were expressly condemned. 
' ' Words in Pearl " is out of print, but a new pamphlet has been issued, 
"The Radical Remedy in Social Science; or, Borning Better Babies 
Through Regulating Reproduction by Controlling Conception," by Dr. 
Foote, Jr. (See last page of the book.) 

Sexual Indifference. 

This, on the part of husband or wife, is a frequent cause of matrimo- 
nial infelicity; so much so as to demand the attention of the faithful 
physiologist. The necessity for reciprocity in the marital relation is 
treated at length in the chapter on adaptation in marriage, to which the 
reader is referred. 

Sexual indifference of two kinds exists, viz.: anthropophobia and sex- 
ual apathy, as will be seen by turning to page 481. The former is charac- 
terized by the most intense aversion to sexual connection. The individ- 
ual not only experiences no amative emotion, but feels the utmost dis- 
gust when required to yield to the conjugal embrace. Many who expe- 
rience this feeling imagine that they are more chaste and more refined 
than those who are capable of amative excitement; but chastity or ex- 
traordinary refinement is never the cause. It results either from dis- 
ease, or an uncongenial matrimonial alliance. Females are more sub- 
ject to it than males, for the reason that their organs of procreation are 
more often diseased than those of the latter, and, further, because 
women are more apt to marry for wealth and homes than men, - How 
can it be expected that a young and beautiful woman will heartily and 
affectionately welcome to her bed a decrepit old man, whom she has 
married merely because she wished to gratify her pride by the exhibi- 
tion of the gewgaws of wealth? Or, if discrepancy in age does not 
exist, how soon the fires of amative passion die out and repugnance 



SEXUAL INDIFFERENCE. 55 1 

takes their place, when the married couple are neither mentally nor phys- 
ically adapted. 

But when adaptation in marriage has been duly considered and observed, 
disease, as before remarked, may cause anthropophobia. Excessive mental 
labor of either sex may so divert the electrical or nervous stimulus from the 
organ of amativeness. that repugnance may take place of desire. Diseases 
of the brain may produce the same result, and sometimes induce impotency. 
Ulcerous, tumorous, cancerous, and inflammatory affections of the sexual 
parts in either sex, are apt to cause a disrelish or incapacity for coition. 

Sexual apathy is more common than anthropophobia. The same causes 
which produce the latter may produce the former. The most common cause 
is impotency, which may exist in either sex. as already shown in the essay 
on "Impotenc^y." commencing on page 544. TThen the erectile tissue and 
erectile muscles are paralyzed, inability to perform the act exists on the 
part of the husband ; while a wife so affected, although capable of cohabiting 
mechanically, experiences no pleasure, and is only too glad to be released 
from her husband's embrace. One of the most prevailing causes of indis- 
position on the part of the female is leucorrhoea, the presence of which 
disease corrupts the alkaline secretions of the vagina, and so coats the 
lining as to render the parts insensible to electrical influences. It also pre- 
vents the evolution of frictional electricity by excessive lubrication 0/ the 
clitoris. N 

It not unfrequently happens, that a want of proper development of the 
clitoris causes indisposition. This organ is so very small in some females, 
as to almost render production of amative excitement by friction impossible. 
For a few weeks or months after marriage, or until the individual electri- 
cities of the husband and wife become in a measure equalized, the bride 
enjoys her new relation, as well, or nearly as well, as any one ; but after 
the magnetisms of the two by repeated contact become somewhat similar, 
the wife loses her excitability, and only after she and her husband have been 
absent from each other for a few weeks or months, and entirely regain the 
electrical conditions peculiar to them, does she enjoy the sexual embrace. 
Sexual indifference arising from this cause is difficult of cure, although 
mechanical remedies may be prescribed in some cases, and the difficulty 
thereby remedied to some extent. 

. 'tracted disuse of the sexual, organs often produces apathy in women, 
and sometimes — not often — in men. I have remarked in another place, 
that, as a general rule, abstinence from sexual indulgence after reaching the 
age of pubescence, causes sexual indifference in women, and a morbid and 
almost mad desire for gratification in men. This I am confident from 
observation is true, nor is it difficult to account for it. If the unmarried 
^omau does not practise masturbation ; if, indeed, she gives no thought to 



882 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

sexual matters whatever, the ova, or germs, nevertheless pass off as fast as 
they ripen, and do not accumulate in the system. On the other hand, there 
is no normal relief for a man except by sexual connection. In a few cases it 
may happen that the masculine constitution is such that no more of the 
seminal fluids are secreted and deposited in the seminal vesicles, than are 
needed by the system for masculine development. But, in most men, the 
system becomes overloaded with what might be called masculine qualities, 
including of course masculine magnetism, under which feeling it is difficult 
to withstand temptation. Hard mental labor may work up this surplus 
steam, but it is rather apt to drive one to secret vice, if relief is not obtained 
according to the means prescribed by nature. But the organs of women, 
unless they have due exercise, may become as powerless and apathetic, as 
the arm would if carried in a sling for a period of five or ten years. Any 
logical mind can see at once that the complete disuse of any organ of the 
body must necessarily be detrimental to health ; this being the case, it is 
not strange that many young women arriving at pubescence at the age of 
thirteen to fifteen, and marrying at twenty or twenty-five, are liable to be 
rather unsatisfactory companions, unless these organs can be aroused from 
their lethargy by a husband who is powerfully magnetic. Secret habits in 
girlhood may produce either nymphomania or sexual apathy. The latter, in 
these cases, usually results from reaction from the former, for debility and 
impotency of the procreative organs are apt to succeed such physical 
violations in both men and women. 

"Want of physical adaptation is a frequent cause. Similar temperaments 
and habits produce similar electrical conditions. Between such persons 
there is a kind of electrical repulsion. There may be such a congeniality in 
tastes and sentiments as to give rise to the greatest friendship and esteem 
one for the other, but neither possesses the power to impart to the othei a 
magnetic thrill by touch or contact. Allow me to introduce the horseshoe 
magnet to illustrate clearly this matter. In Figure 191, A may be used to 
represent a husband and wife, well mated physically. It will be observed 
that when the positive and negative (marked p and ri), are brought together, 
there is perfect blending of the electrical or magnetic currents. One 
electrifies the other so that there is between animal bodies thus congenial 
an interchange of animal magnetism very pleasing to the senses. B may 
represent inadaptation. "When husband and wife are of similar tempera- 
ments, the effect is the same as if two positives (marked p p) are brought 
together, and two negatives (marked n ri) brought in contact. In this 
illustration it is seen that the dots, representing the magnetic currents, 
instead of blending and interchanging as in A, are repelled by each other. 
Now, so long as the electrical or magnetic forces of husband and wife are 
thus similar in quantity and quality, it is impossible for agreeable sen- 



SEXUAL INDIFFERENCE. 



883 




ADAPTATION AND INADAPTATION ILLUSTRATED. 



sauons to be engendered or experienced by physical contact, and hence it 
is not to be expected that any great degree of sexual pleasure can take place 
between them in the 
copulative act. If any 
pleasure at all is ex- 
perienced between par- 
ties sustaining these 
electrical relations to 
each other, it is ob- 
tained entirely from B. 
frictional electricity, as ^^mma^^^^^^—-.-~A) : \-\ 
in masturbation, and 
the effects are injurious 
to both. 

If mental adaptation 
exists between the mar- 
ried pair, so that they 
really feel ardently attached to each other, this difficulty may be partially rem- 
edied for a few months or years, and in some cases permanently, by electrical 
and mechanical means, accompanied with due regard to diet, habits, etc. 
But when there is neither mental nor physical adaptation, the indifference 
is not only irremediable, but anthropophobia may succeed, and continue 
until the marriage tie is dissolved by divorce or death, and a new alliance 
formed. Cases do occur among ladies, in which, after years of sexual in- 
difference with an uncongenial partner, a second alliance, formed under the 
most favorable auspices, yields no amative gratification. The reason for 
this is, that cohabitation without love or passion destroys, after a time, the 
sensibility of the parts. If you tvant to destroy digestion, crowd your 
stomach with food when you do not need it, or with things you do not 
relish; if you want to destroy the sensitiveness of the palate, eat and drink 
habitually those things which are perfectly obnoxious to the taste ; if you 
wish to overcome the sensitiveness of the uterine organs, and render them 
not only insensible to pleasurable excitement, but, eventually, incapable of 
1 eproduction, marry a man who is distasteful and disagreeable to you ; one 
who cannot call out the first spontaneous amative emotion, or kindle the 
first desire, while you continue sexual intercourse year after year. Of course 
he will insist on being gratified, and habitual cohabitation with such a man 
can only end in the production of an abnormal condition of those delicate 
organs. 

Another possible cause of sexual apathy, is presented in the closing por- 
tion of the chapter, entitled, "Defects of Marriage." "When anthropopho- 
bia or sexual apathy exists on the part of the wife, whatever may be the 



884 ESSAYS FOR MARRIED PEOPLE. 

cause, cohabitation is injurious to the husband; masturbation is not much 
worse than copulation under these circumstances. The wife fails to 
electrify him, and the pleasure he derives results mainly from friction, the 
same as in sexual abuse. In such instances seminal weakness or other 
nervous derangements are developed, such as afflict the habitual mastur- 
bator, and the physician is called upon to give his opinion and afford relief. 
I have had many such cases, and in no one of them did the sufferer seem 
to imagine the cause of his difficulties until I informed him. 

Nothing can be more ridiculous than for a lady to arrogate to herself the 
possession of more voluntary chastity and virtue than her neighbor, be- 
cause she feels no sexual desire. Nor can a husband present himself in a 
more laughable light to an experienced physiologist, than when he supposes 
that such apathy on the part of the wife is the result of extreme modesty 
and good breeding. If compulsory chastity, at the beginning of the men- 
strual period, lead to paralysis of the amative organs, no credit is due to 
her; for at the outset, she was restrained by custom, which she could not 
safely defy, and now she is apathetic because the organs are paralyzed. 
The fact is, the sexual appetite is just as natural as the appetite for food, 
and disease causes the loss of the one just as much as it does loss of the 
other. Fortunately, such exquisite people, as alluded to, are not numerous, 
or rather, do not so often present themselves to the skillful physician, as 
those who have more sensible ideas. It is no uncommon circumstance in 
my practice for ladies of education and refinement, affected with anthropo- 
phbbia, or sexual apathy, to preseut their cases with the expressed convic- 
tion or seeming realization that their indifference is the result of disease. I 
admire the frankness and good sense of a wife like this, and I have been 
happily instrumental in remedying or curing the difficulty in a majority of 
such cases. In fact, sexual indifference in both sexes is usually partially, 
or wholly curable, except when both mental and physical adaptation have 
been disregarded in marriage. It is necessary first to ascertain the cause or 
causes, and this I can do whether the case be presented at my office, or by 
letter in answer to the questions beginning on page 583. 

Food for Pregnant Women. 

Experiment and observation have shown that the pains and perils of 
childbed may be greatly diminished, if pregnant women will only pay 
strict regard to their diet, and eat such food as possesses the least amount 
of calcareous matter. What I mean by calcareous matter, is that which, 
when taken into the system, goes to produce bone. There can be no mis- 
take in the hypothesis that the foetus in the womb is nourished by the same 
food which is eaten by the mother, and if this contains a large quantity of 
calcareous matter, the frame of the unborn child is too rapidly developed, in 



FOOD FOR PREGNANT TTOMEN. 885 

consequence of which its delivery is attended with greater danger and more 
pain. It is not necessary to enter into an argument to show why a child 
with a large frame should give the mother more pain in its delivery than 
one with a small frame — the fact is self-evident. It matters little how fat 
the little fellow becomes, because . is yielding and readily conforms 

to the shape of the passage ; but a large and inflexible frame reverses the 
fact, and makes the passage conform to it. Many women, during gestation, 
mistakenly resort to the very diet which produces the most mischief. All 
kinds of bread, puddings, cakes, etc., made of Indian meal, usually so whole- 
some for people both in and out of health, are often used, to the exclusion 
of almost all other food, by pregnant women, under the erroneous supposi- 
tion that they are best suited to their condition. Xow, analysis shows that 
twelve thousand five hundred pounds of Indian corn contain one hundred 
and eighty pounds of calcareous matter, while the same quantity of rice 
contains only ten pounds! The flesh of young animals contains only one 
twenty-fourth as much calcareous matter as Indian corn, and all kinds of 
fruits contain only one three-hundred-and-sixtieth part as much. It is 
therefore plain that all preparations of Indian corn are an unsuitable diet for 
women who are pregnant, although no one will question their wholesome- 
ness for nearly all persons under other circumstances. 

Common salt, which performs a very important part in the aDimal organ- 
ism, and also all condiments, contain nearly as large a percentage of calca- 
reous matter as Indian corn; and although food is insipid without at least 
a moderate use of these luxuries, it would be well for all women who are 
about to become mothers to abstain as much as possible from their use until 
after confinement. 

Potatoes are much better than wheat bread ; barley bread better than 
either ; and preparations of arrowroot, sago, and tapioca, better than any of 
these ; while all kinds of fruits, like peaches, prunes, apricots, tamarinds, 
nectarines, cherries, plums, apples, pears, pineapples, oranges, lemons, figs, 
raisins, grapes, blackberries, strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, cran- 
berries, mulberries, elderberries, bilberries, currants, melons. etcJ, are the 
most harmless things that can be eaten during the period of pregnancy. 

All kinds of animal food, and particularly eggs and milk, are admissible ; 
also, such vegetable food as lettuce, celery, or. ions, beets, turnips, carrots, 
radishes, mushrooms, parsley, parsnips, and peas. But fruits lead all 
these in their freedom from calcareous matter, and are consequently best 
adapted to the condition of women in a state of pregnancy. Potatoes, prep- 
arations of corn, wheat, oat and rye flour, and beans, should be carefully 
avoided. 

I have directed many women in the selection of proper food during gesta- 
tion according to the foregoing rules, and, in all, the results have met my 



886 ESSAYS FOR MAREIED PEOPLE. 

most sanguine expectations. Those who had previously suffered the 
most agonizing labor pains, found a happy diminution in their length 
and severity ; others, who, from their compact build, anticipated pain- 
ful and protracted labor, in many instances escaped with less than aver- 
age suffering ; while many have, in substance, said to me : tk Doctor, 
it's nothing but fun to have children by pursuing your directions while 
enceinte." 

Card to Married People. 

In concluding this Chapter of Essays, I feel constrained to say that 
comparatively few married people attain the conjugal happiness which 
their relation is capable of imparting. Even those who are not alto- 
gether congenially mated, might, if moderation and proper remedial 
and conciliatory means were employed, pass the shoals and rocks of 
life's ruffled stream with comparative freedom from perplexity. When 
there is physical adaptation, sexual excess often detracts from the pleas- 
ures of the sexual embrace and the esteem which the married pair nat- 
urally feel for each other, while sexual indifference often results there- 
from, embittering the cup from which they have sipped too excessively. 
Those who are not well mated physically are apt to fret in the uncon- 
genial harness, and instead of adopting means to remedy in a measure 
the sexual indifference arising therefrom to one or both, allow mutual 
mental repugnance to set in to aggravate an estrangement which, in 
the outset, might perhaps in some cases be overcome. Again, barren- 
ness as well as excessive offspring is the bane of married life. The lat- 
ter, under existing statutes, physicians or the public have no permission 
to consider. The former is extensively treated in another portion of 
this volume, and in making a revision of this card, many years after the 
appearance of the earlier editions, it is with much gratification that I can 
say that hundreds of sterile marriages have been made fruitful. The 
hints on local inadaptation alone have enabled many a disappointed 
husband and wife to rectify the seemingly irremediable evil of going 
through life childless. In some marked instances, physicians have 
written to the author that this matter was a revelation enabling them to 
cure cases which had hitherto baffled their skill and ingenuity. In 
nearly all cases of matrimonial infelicity the old systems of medicine 
offer no relief, and those who are troubled in that way settle into the 
erroneous impression that there is none. To such I would say, consult 
me freely in person or by letter. My post-office address is given in 
page 910, and a list of "Questions to Invalids " may be found on page 
583. No one need hold back from fear that I will betray confidence — 
my tongue is ever silent in reference to the consultations of my patients. 
I am daily consulted at my office or by letter on subjects of the most 
delicate nature, and all such secrets are locked up or forgotten, while the 
advice I give in such cases is almost invariably successful. 




CHAPTER VIII. 

PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MARKING. 

HERE are, perhaps, no functional phenomena which 
have engrossed the attention of medical writers to 
such a degree, as those pertaining to the formation of 
the physical and mental characteristics of the embry- 
onic human being. Example after example, of 
a curious character, is given to surprise the wondering public, 
and yet no one seems to have ventured upon a philosophical solu- 
tion or explanation of the cause or causes. Nearly every medi- 
cal writer tells his reader what singular instances of child-mark- 
ing have occurred under his observation, and nearly every inves- 
tigating reader finds them in any number within the range of his 
own observation. 

I will here present, in as concise a manner as possible, the facts which 
are revealed to the eye and ear of those who keep these organs of vision 
and hearing open. I will also present, after each fact, a few examples 
illustrative thereof, and that any reader of these, who is unacquainted with 
me, or unfamiliar with the subject, may not suspect that I have drawn on 
my imagination for them, I will only adduce such as have been related by 
other well-known writers. I could produce, from the testimony of various 
authors, an unlimited number of examples in corroboration of each of my 
following five affirmations ; but two or three will answer as well as a dozen :— 
First. — As a rule, the child exhibits, in its physical and mental organiza- 
tion, more or less of the peculiarities of both parents. 

Second. — The offspring often resembles only one of the parents. 
Examples. — All my readers have living examples illustrative of the two 
preceding affirmations all around them, and, inasmuch as no one can be 
found unobserving enough to deny them, it is unnecessary to consume time 
and space with their relation. 

Third. — The offspring frequently seems to possess none of the physical 
and mental characteristics of either parent. It sometimes looks like some 
good minister, doctor, or neighbor, when wife, minister, doctor, and neigh- 



888 PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MAKKING. 

bor are all above reproach, at least, have done nothing to give rise to 
scandal or suspicion. Or, it may resemble some great man or woman 
whose physical appearance is preserved in portraits or pictures, and whose 
mental characteristics are described in biography. Or it may bear the 
impress of some singular dream. 

Examples. — Prof. Britton tells us of a lady who lived in Fairfield County, 
Conn., and in universal esteem for her exemplary life and unblemished char- 
acter, but who gave birth to a child who seemed to almost perfectly resemble 
the minister presiding over the church of which she was a member. The 
child has become a tall and graceful youth, and yet resembles the parson, 
The same writer also relates that a gentleman of his acquaintance, with very 
dark hair, beard, and eyes, wedded to a lady with brown hair, and a complex- 
ion no lighter than his own, had nine children, and, with a single exception, 
they all have dark straight hair and hazel eyes. Indeed, for several genera- 
tions, not a single member of eith3r family has had curly hair. The excep- 
tional case is a fair youth with Lrge, blue, expressive eyes, and golden 
locks having a natural tendency to curl. 

Dr. Davis relates two interesting instances, as follows : "A woman of con- 
siderable physical courage, mounted a horse, rode side by side with her 
soldier- husband, and witnessed the drilling of the troops for battle. The 
exciting music and scene together inspired her with a deep thirst to behold 
a war and a conquest. This event transpired a few months before the birth 
of her child, whose name was — Napoleon." 

"During the important period immediately preceding the birth of Dante, 
his young mother saw a startling vision of grandeur and great depth of sig- 
nificance. She beheld a populated globe of symmetrical proportions rise 
gradually out of the sea and float mid-heavens. It was decorated with 
every conceivable element of natural and artificial beauty. Upon a high and 
grand mountain, which melted away in the distant horizon and sloped 
gracefully into lands and lakes that spread out to the left, stood a man with 
brilliant countenance, whom she knew to be her son. Pointing with his 
upraised hand, he bade her look down to the right of the mountain. She 
beheld a precipice of abrupt ascent, like the walls of an immeasurable gulf 
with depth unknown. Whereupon she thought she fainted with excess of 
fright. But her son was as serene as a morning star ; and, looking again, 
she saw no evil. After this beautiful and thrilling vision, Dante's mother 
had only in view the greatness of her unborn child— whose genius as a 
scholar and poet, as a creator of a world of fancies, is known throughout 
all the lands of civilization." 

Fourth. — A widow, remarried, not unfrequently bears children by a 
second husband resembling the first; maidens who have cohabited with 
some one of the other sex, either by consent or constraint, have borne, in 



PHILOSOPHY OP CHILD-MABKING. 889 

subsequent marriage, and in several successive confinements, children 
resembling the person with whom they first had intercourse. 

Examples. — Rev. Charles McCombie states, that a lady neighbor of his, 
who was twice married, had five children by her first husband, and three by 
her second. One of these three, a daughter, bears unmistakable resemblance 
to its mother's first husband. The likeness, lie remarks, was more discerni- 
ble because there was such a marked difference iu the features and general 
appearance of both husbands. 

A Scotch physician communicated to Dr. Hollick a fact which came under 
Ms observation as follows: " A young female was forcibly violated by a 
person whom she did not know, and under such circumstances that she 
could not see him. It was known, however, by her friends, who he was, 
and, to avoid exposure, the matter was kept a secret, although, unfortu- 
nately, she became pregnant in consequence. The child strongly resembled 
its guilty parent, and the two children she had by marriage afterward also 
resembled him, although they were by her husband, the guilty young man 
having left the country. 

" Dr. Dice says that he has certainly known one instance, if not more, in 
which a mulatto woman bore children to a white man, and that the same 
woman had to a mulatto man, children who bore much resemblance to the 
white man, both in complexion and features. 

" Professor Simpson, of Edinburgh, gives an instance of a young woman 
of that city, born of white parents, whose mother, some time previous to her 
marriage, had a child by a mulatto man-servant, and this young lady ex- 
hibits distinct traces of the negro. Her hair, particularly, resembles that 
of the African." 

Fifth. — A pregnant lady may become frightened or annoyed by some dis- 
agreeable circumstance, or by some deformed or hideous object, and bring 
forth her child mentally affected thereby, or bearing a physical resem- 
blance to the loathsome object. 

Examples. — Dr. Pancoast relates the following : u A woman, absent 
from home, became alarmed by seeing a large fire in the direction of her 
own house, and bore a child with a distinct mark of a flame upon its fore- 
head. 

11 A woman who had longed for a lobster, brought forth a child resem- 
bling one of those animals. 

u A woman gave birth to a child covered with hair, and having the claws 
of a bear. This was attributed to her beholding the images and pictures 
of bears hung up in the palace of the Ursini family, to which she belonged." 

Dr. Dixon, in a number of his Scalpel, relates the following: "Mr. H., of 
the northern part of the State of Xew York, married some forty years since. 
Pecuniary circumstances rendered offspring undesirable. Within a year, 
38 



890 PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MARKING. 

however, the wife thought herself with child. On expressing this belief to 
her husband, she was, at the moment, quite shocked at the dissatisfaction 
with which he received it. Taking his hat, he was absent from the house 
nearly an hour. He was distressed, on his return, to find his wife in tears. 
He assured her he was rejoiced to learn the probable realization of her 
announcement ; and he was now satisfied with the condition of his pecu- 
niary affairs. The wife dried her tears, and expressed her conviction that 
her offspring would suffer from her agitation. Her fears gradually increased 
as gestation advanced. A healthy and well-formed boy was born. After 
some months, it manifested an extreme unwillingness to approach the father. 
This gradually increased, until its dissatisfaction was manifested by loud 
and continued screaming when brought near him. As age advanced, the 
most persevering efforts were made to overcome this repugnance, and the 
attempt was abandoned in despair. This state continued, and, at the time 
of our receiving the information, the son, then an active and rising member 
of the bar, had never been able to speak a word to his father, although the 
most painful efforts were made." 

Probably every person of mature age and much observation has seen as 
remarkable examples as those which are herein given. The uppermost 
question in the minds of every one cognizant of these phenomena is — how 
do they happen ? I think I can explain to the entire satisfaction of every 
reader, but before perusing the explanations, turn back to page 633, and 
make yourselves familiar with my theory of the process by which the male 
and female germs unite for the formation of the foetus, and then return here 
for the solution of the various phenomena indicated by the facts or exam- 
ples presented in the preceding paragraphs. The same order will be ob- 
served in their explanation that was observed in their presentation. 

First. — Why do offspring generally possess the characteristics of both 
parents? This can hardly result from any character imparted by the 
minute embryo contributed by each. They are both too small to exercise 
any very controlling influence, especially when it is considered how much 
the peculiarities of the child depend upon surrounding influences as well 
before as after birth. It is a trite proverb, that as a " twig is bent the tree 
inclines," and certainly if education and social surroundings can so change 
the character of the child after its advent into the world, how much easier 
the little germinal speck in the mother's womb may be governed by physical 
influences. Thousands of the little seminal animalculse called spermatozoa 
could be contained in a shell of a single mustard seed, and the egg or ovum 
of the female does not weigh more than a two-thousandth part of a grain. 
The prospective constitutional health of the offspring is most undoubtedly 
influenced by the purity, healthfulness, and temperamental adaptation of the 
spermatozoon and ovum, but further than this, these germs probably 



PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MARKING. 891 

exercise very little control over the mental or physical organization of the 
foetus. The investigating man will find that in the highest type of anima^ 
as well as in the highest order of vegetable life, the seed itself seldom 
imparts the character of its progenitor to the offspring or product. I pre- 
sume it will not be questioned by man, in his vanity, that the human being 
is the highest type of animal life, and I believe it is conceded that fruit- 
bearing plants and trees constitute the highest order of vegetable life. 
Therefore, if reasoning by analogy amounts to any thing, my hypothesis 
must be correct, for all horticulturists know how rarely an apple, peach, 
plum, pear, or cherry tr ee can be raised from the seed and possess the 
qualities of the parent tree. It is also useless to plant the seeds of straw- 
berries, raspberries, blackberries, etc., with the expectation that the same 
quality of fruit can be reproduced by this process. It can rarely, if ever be 
done. And I am convinced that the further the matter is investigated, the 
more apparent it will appear that the germinal specks which give birth to 
the human embryo, have little or nothing to do with imparting character to 
the child. Then what is it that causes the child to resemble its parente ? 
I reply, the influence of the magnetism of the husband upon the uterus of 
the wife, and the influence of her magnetism in 
conjunction with his. upon the foetus in process of 
formation. TVe find that some of the metals may 
be permanently magnetized. Probably the major- 
ity of my readers have seen iron so magnetized 
that it would attract any small metallic bodies 
like tacks, nails, etc., and hold them as if 
they were glued to it. In the annexed illus- 
tration, A represents a horseshoe magnet which 
has been so magnetized, that it will pick up a piece 
of iron of considerable size, as represented by B, 
attracting it with so much force, that quite a pull is 
required to separate the two ; Figure 193 represents horseshoe magnet, 
a hammer which has been magnetized to such a of iron. ^A, the magnet^ 
degree that it will pick up nails without the aid of B > the iron bar - 

fingers. Its attractive power is sufficient to hold the nail by the head 
while the first blow is given to drive it in the wood. This magnet and 
Plg a 193. the hammer impart, while they are in contact 

^^^^ with metallic substances, their magnetic prop- 
erties to them, so that they are entirely under 
9(1 ^Mlm their magnetic influence. Now, I hold that 

»# the influence of the male sexual organs over 

a magnetic hammer. the ute etc ? of the female? a re in a meas- 

a represents the hammer at- , _, . . .. - 

tractlug to it the tack b. ure analogous. The womb becomes magnetized; 




PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MAKKING. 

and, in many cases, permanently, by the male in copulation, and the in- 
dividual magnetism so imparted to the womb, causes the organ to exercise 
an important influence upon the mental and physical character of the 
growing embryo which it contains, for seven or nine months. Do 
you ask how the magnetism is imparted? I answer that it may be 
imparted by the contact or friction of the male organ with the womb. 
Rub your knife-blade with a piece of magnetized iron, and for some 
time, that in turn, has the power of the magnet, and will attract par- 
ticles of metal. The length of time the blade will retain this power depends 
upon the strength of the magnet and the length of time it has been applied ; 
and the duration of the magnetism of the womb depends upon the magnetic 
power of the husband and the length of time it has been under his control. 

Let it not be imagined that I consider the magnetism which governs the 
attraction of metals identical with that which the husband imparts to the 
uterus, or that the latter, strongly magnetized, would have any attractive 
power over metals. All kingdoms — animal, vegetable, and mineral — have 
magnetism peculiar to each, and I have only alluded to the magnetism 
peculiar to metals to illustrate my theory. I have already shown in this 
work that individual electricity or magnetism is possessed by every one, 
and that it exerts a remarkable influence over the sexual and social relations. 
Even the great ancient philosopher Socrates gives the history of what he 
experienced in the society of a lady friend in the following language: 
'• Leaning my shoulder on her shoulder, and my head to hers, as we were 
reading together in a book, I felt, it is a fact, a sudden sting in my shoulder 
like the bite of a fly, which I still felt five or six days afterward, and a 
continual itching crept into my heart." Certainly the wise philosopher was 
too sensible to imagine this, and his amusing relation of his love experience 
only shows that he was susceptible to the magnetic power of his female 
associate. If it be admitted, as I think the pages of this work prove, in 
those parts in which the philosophy of sexual intercourse is discussed, that 
men and women are magnetized by each other, then it is self-evident that 
individual magnetism may be communicated to any susceptible part of the 
organism. In fact, this truth is verified by the effects of mesmeric opera- 
tions on the external members of the body. 

Second. — "Why do offspring often resemble but one of the parents ? After 
having read my explanation of fact first, it is easy to infer that some persons 
are less susceptible to magnetic influences than others. Thus the uterus 
of a wife may never become fully magnetized by the husband. She will 
produce children resembling herself, for the foetus in its various stages of 
growth is almost exclusively under the control of her own magnetism. 
Then, again, the womb of another, more susceptible, will be so excessively 
charged with the magnetism or electricity of the husband, that the chit 



PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MARKING. 893 

dren are perfect facsimiles of the father. But why do we sometimes find 
in a family, one, or more, resembling the father, and the rest having the 
mental and physical characteristics of the mother? Simply because many 
persons are subject to periodical exaltations and depressions of their mag- 
netic powers ; hence, when the exaltation of the husband's magnetism is 
coincident with the depression of that of his wife, then the uterus and the 
embryonic product are under the husband's control. When the magnetism 
of the wife is in the ascendant then the development of the foetus is under 
her magnetic control. 

Third. — TVhy do children frequently possess none of the physical or 
mental characteristics of their parents? Because the magnetism of the mind 
of the mother, under the influence of some mental impression or impressions 
ehe receives, controls the development cf the unborn child. If it be some- 
thing she has read or dreamed, or a picture, or an object she has seen, and 
her mind is dwelling upon it, then the mental magnetism seems to overcome 
all merely local influences of her husband or her own, and the whole phys- 
ical structure of the embryo, including the brain, is built up, particle on 
particle, and each atom moved to its place by the magnetic forces supplied 
by the mother's mind. 

The magnetism of the mind is always superior to any local magnetism of 
the individual, and while the former may not interfere with the latter when 
there is nothing to disturb the normal equilibrium of the nervous system, 
any great mental emotion may change at once this harmonious status, and 
the mind's magnetism will assert its control entirely supplanting the local 
electricity and magnetic operations going on in the uterus of a pregnant 
female, whose admiration, excited imagination, ungratified desire, or fear is 
excited. And here, an illustration is not wanting. The conduct of the 
atmospheric electricity toward telegraph wires which conduct galvanic forces 
from one region of the country to another may be instanced. The former is 
superior in quantity and power to the currents generated in the office of 
the telegraphic operator, and yet every thing goes smoothly on if the ele- 
ments are undisturbed ; but let a thunder-storm arise, and the lightnings 
of heaven not only assert their supremacy over the wires by the driving 
off or swallowing up of the operator's currents, but in some cases knock 
the operator over and melt his instruments. 

If the offspring resemble some living man to whom the wife was much 
attached, then that person had. through the medium of her brain, magnetic 
control of her uterus just as much as if he had had physical contact there- 
with, while both parties may have been perfectly innocent of sexual con- 
nection. Indeed, if the pregnant wife has carnal desire for any gentleman, 
which she strives in vain to resist, the influence of her mind upon the 
foetus is greater than could result from actual sexual intercourse, because 



894: PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MARKINGk 

the workings of the magnetism of the mind upon the uterus always exert 
a more controlling influence, when once set in motion, than merely those 
of the magnetism of the procreative organs. As is proverbially the fact, 
pregnant ladies are very apt to mark their children with any thing for which 
they have a longing or an ungratified desire. 

When a child seems to possess none of the physical or mental peculiari- 
ties of any one, so that the parents exclaim: " Who in the world does that 
child take after?" then the mother has been either mentally or physically 
magnetized by many different persons, or mentally impressed by objects, 
subjects, or biographies during gestation. 

Fourth. — Why does a widow in some cases have children in subsequent 
marriage resembling the first husband ? Because her uterus is so perma- 
nently magnetized by the first that it requires time for her second husband 
to neutralize or overcome the magnetism of the first. With a remarkable 
instinct concerning the philosophy of this phenomenon, the semi-barbarians 
of Kamtschatka require a widow to sleep with a stranger before contracting 
a second marriage, which act, they say, purifies them and renders them 
eligible for subsequent espousement. They seem to imagine that this inter- 
mediate connection will neutralize the influence exerted by the first hus- 
band, although I am confident they are decidedly mistaken. As a rule, 
having its exceptions as already given, the male who first lives and cohab- 
its with the female, governs, to a greater or less degree, the character of 
the offspring ever after. As a general rule I do not believe a wife is capable 
of having an illegitimate child, unless those which are influenced in embry- 
onic life by mental magnetic impressions on the uterus, as described in an- 
swer to question third, can be so regarded. Nor am I alone in this opinion. 
Michelet, the philosopher and historian, in words of advice to husbands who 
have detected their wives in infidelity, remarks as follows: — 

" You cannot abandon her. For how dangerous it will be for her, when 
the lover, who receives her, experiences the disgust of finding your reflection 
everywhere in her person, transformed through you! In discovering in 
her your voice, your words, your gestures, and traces even still more 
profound I 

" She belongs to you to that degree, that even should her lover impreg- 
nate her, it will probably be your child — one marked with your features — 
that she will give him. He will have the punishment of seeing that he can 
have nothing real or profound from her, and that, in the capital point, in the 
generating union, he is unable to render her faithless." 

My position on this subject is sustained by the testimony of those who 
have observed the effects of the first coition between animals and their sub- 
sequent offspring. It is authoritatively stated: "A mare belonging to Sir 
George Ousely was covered by a zebra, and gave birth to a striped hybrid. 



•PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MARKING. 895 

The year following the same mare was covered by a thorough-bred horse, 
and the next succeeding year by another horse. But the foals thus pro- 
duced were striped, and partook of the character of the zebra. And it is 
stated by Haller, and also by Becker, that when a mare has had a mule by 
an ass, afterward a foal by a horse, the foal exhibits traces of the ass. Cases 
are recorded of mares covered in every instance by horses, but by different 
horses, on different occasions — where the offspring partook of the character 
of the horse by which impregnation was first effected. It has often been ob- 
served that a well-bred bitch, if she has been impregnated by a mongrel 
dog, will not, although lined subsequently by a pure dog, bear thorough- 
bred puppies in the next two or three litters. The like occurrence has been 
noticed in the sow." Breeders of cattle are familiar with analogous facts as 
occurring in cows Says McGillivray: ''Among cattle and horses they are 
of every-day occurrence." Now a man is just as much superior to the 
lower animals in his individual magnetism as he is in every other attribute, 
and we might consequently expect a more permanent magnetism of the 
human female by the one first cohabiting with her than can possibly take 
place under the same circumstances to the female of the brute creation. 
Then, again, if simply the first connection produces such a permanent effect, 
what may we not reasonably look for when a husband lives in such inti- 
mate relations with her, as he usually does, for years instead of a few 
months ? 

Fifth. — Why are the effects of annoyances, frights, or sudden emotions 
of mind of the mother apt to be daguerreotyped upon the body or mind of 
the unborn child? 

In accounting for these phenomena. I must again illustrate my theory 
with the electro-magnetic telegraph, for with this instrument almost every 
one is familiar. Continuous currents of electricity along the telegraph wire 
are sometimes suddenly interfered with by the approach of a cloud charged 
with atmospheric electricity, and when it comes in contact with the wire, it 
being in a higher degree positive, its electricity darts both ways on the lat- 
ter, effecting a break, and driving in opposite directions the telegraphic cur- 
/ent, which was a moment before uninterrupted between one distant office 
and another. As the cloud recedes from the wire, the telegraphic current 
resumes its path as if nothing had happened, but the strips of paper on 
which the registers impressed the messages give evident marks of the 
shock, and instances have occurred in which the telegraphic instruments 
were twisted in all manner of shapes. Now, frights may make their im- 
pression on the growing foetus in obedience to the same electrical law. The 
individual electricity of the whole body may be compared to atmospheric 
electricity, and those electrical evolutions going on in the uterine organs to 
the electricity employed by the telegraphic operator. The fright, annoyance, 



896 PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MARKING. 

or whatever it may be, produces a sudden accumulation in the braiu of thb 
electrical forces of the nervous system, and as sudden propulsion of them 
to all parts of the system, including the uterus, where the local currents are 
interfered with by the intrusion of the more powerful and instantaneous 
currents from the brain, bearing a daguerreotype of the object or subject 
which causes the fright or annoyance. All who have ever experienced 
fright know the sensation ; first, a sudden pressure in the brain, as if the 
blood had all rushed thither, and in another instant a peculiar sensation in 
every inch of the body, extending to the very ends of the fingers and toes. 
Sometimes the fright deals a death-blow to the foetus, through a ponderous 
wave of mental electricity precipitated on the uterus, just as the telegraphic 
operator is stunned or rendered senseless by the atmospheric shock ; but if 
no miscarriage occurs, and the local currents resume their action, the foetus 
is almost sure to show some marks of the sudden intrusion, either on its mind 
or body, or both, just as the strips of paper passing through the telegraphic 
register receive some peculiar impressions or marks under the circumstances 
named. Extreme cases of malformation may be compared to those remark- 
able instances when the telegraphic apparatus is twisted and distorted by 
the intrusion of the atmospheric currents. 

We may more reasonably look for the daguerreotyping of objects on the 
embryo human being in the womb, by electrical disturbances under the influ- 
ence of the mind (the eye of the mother serving as a camera), than for such 
effects to take place on the full-grown adult by disturbances of the atmos- 
pheric element, and yet the following facts gleaned from newspapers show 
that the latter are possible: — 

" A countrywoman has recently arrived in Paris from the department of 
Seine et Marne, who should be presented to the Academy of Sciences. This 
woman was, a short time since, watching a cow in an open field, when a 
violent storm arose. She took refuge under a tree, which, at the instant, 
was struck by lightning ; the cow was killed, and she was felled to the 
ground, senseless, where she was soon found, the storm having ceased with 
the flash that felled her. Upon removing her clothing, the exact image of 
the cow killed by her side was found distinctly impressed upon her bosom." 

" A correspondent of the New York Independent says this curious phe- 
nomenon is not without a precedent. Dr. Franklin mentions the case of a 
man who was standing in the door of a house, in a thunder-storm, and who 
was looking at a tree directly before him, when it was struck by lightning. 
On the man's breast was left a perfect daguerreotype of the tree." 

" In 1841, a magistrate and a miller's boy were struck by lightning, near 
a poplar-tree in one of the provinces of France, and upon the breasts of each 
were found spots, exactly resembling the leaves of the poplar." 

I cannot, nor is it necessary, to follow out this interesting subject with 



PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD-MARKING. 897 

the numerous suggestions, illustrations, and explanations which crowd upon 
my mind at this moment. I am confident I have given the key to unlock 
the mystery of "child-marking," as this class of phenomena is generally 
called, and the ingenious mind can, with it, account for every case, how- 
ever peculiar, which the sparsely populated village and the crowded 
metropolis present. 

Let no one having children bearing no resemblance to themselves be 
pained by any inferences they may draw from what I have offered. It is 
often well that children do not take after their parents in their physical 
formation or mental organization. If they exhibit talent, goodness, or phys- 
ical beauty superior to the parents, then well may the latter congratulate 
themselves, even if such superiority has obliterated every mark of family 
resemblance. In reality, none of our children belong to us. God has estab- 
lished certain laws for the perpetuation of the race, and our little darlings 
and pets, with their roguish blue and flashing black eyes, whose presence 
lends cheer to our households, and gayety to the hearts of doting grandmas 
and grandpas, all belong to one common Father — God, who owns them 
just as much as the manufacturer owns the fabrics turned out by his mills. 
An ingenious mechanic may invent a machine which only needs to be set in 
motion each day, to turn out some articles of acknowledged utility. No 
one supposes the machine owns these goods. We all are God's agents for 
perpetuating our kind, and He has ordained certain laws to prevent the race 
from becoming extinct. But our children are not ours ; they are His. We 
may feel flattered when we see them partake so much of our flesh, blood. 
and magnetism, as to reflect our images ; but even this is the result of our 
vanity, and whether they do or not, we are bound by every principle of 
humanity and religion to love, properly protect, and correctly train, the help- 
less human miniatures, until they become old enough to take care of them- 
selves. The most important work we have to perform while they are in the 
mother's womb, is to, as far as possible, protect them from moral, mental, 
and physical malformation. To this end, the mind of the mother should 
dwell on subjects of an improving and elevating character. It should be 
kept tranquil and happy ; free from sudden and disagreeable emotions oi any 
kind ; but all this is impossible, if she be unhappily married, or if she daily 
meets, in her out-of-door exercises, deformed and loathsome people. Acci- 
dents will occasionally happen to shock the nerves of pregnant women, but 
deformed people should be kept out of public thoroughfares, and ill-assorted 
marriages should be interdicted by law. 



38* 



CHAPTER IX. 

ESSAYS FOR YOUNG AND OLD, BEARING ON HAPPINESS IN 
MARRIAGE. 

OME very important reforms are necessary to make 
monogamic marriage what it should be. Many of these 
have already been pressed upon the attention of the 
reader. The most important of them all is adaptation in 
marriage, as exhibited in Chapter II. of this part. ■ To 
secure this, you should put yourself in positions to meet 
with a variety of individuals of the sex opposite ; seek, rather 
than avoid, society ; familiarize your minds with mental adapta- 
tion, and especially with physical adaptation ; study carefully 
the temperaments, and avoid much social intimacy with those 
who are not temperamentally adapted, as it is often the case 
that a platonic attachment springs up between two who are totally unsuited 
physiologically to come together in wedlock, and this mental congeniality 
leads the two platonic lovers to so far commit themselves that they cannot 
gracefully "back out" of an engagement. This is unfortunate for the 
present, and, in many cases, disastrous in the future. Such engagements, 
if made, may better be broken if both of the parties concerned can consent 
to this course. It becomes a difficult, if not cruel alternative, when one of 
the parties cannot detach the fixed affections. It is hard to advise in a 
case of this kind, but physiological facts should be presented to the one 
whose constancy exists in spite of alleged incompatibility, and in most 
intelligent minds they would not be revealed without producing a whole- 
some result. Above all things, never marry for a home, for money, for 
position, for revenge, for obstinacy, to please friends, nor to show your 
gratitude to any one who has greatly befriended you in adversity, or saved 
your life when in peril. In the last-mentioned consideration you may much 
better give all you have and mortgage all your prospective gaia as a recom- 
pense, than to deed away your future happiness. 




EARLY MARRIAGE. 899 

Early Marriage. 

Much has been written pro and con regarding the expediency of early 
marriage. Physiologists, I believe, are about equally divided in their opin- 
ions on this question. The opposers of early marriage contend that the off- 
spring of young parents are not as strong, physically and mentally, as those 
of parents of more mature age, and give the names of Coleridge, Goldsmith, 
'Wirt, Richelieu, Oberlin, Ignatius Loyola, and other distinguished poets, 
statesmen, and philosophers, together with the fact that they were the 
youngest children of their parents, as illustrative examples of the correct- 
ness of their theory. 

While it is useless to deny that a majority of the world's great men were 
not the first-born, it is rather jumping at a conclusion to attribute the cause 
entirely to the maturity of their parents. Many great men are the eldest 
children of their progenitors, and I am firmly convinced that many more 
would be, except for the sexual excesses to which nearly all newly-married 
people are given. In fact, it is almost surprising that there are any first or 
second children who acquire distinction, considering the mental and physical 
enervation which nearly all newly-married people bring upon themselves by 
the constant amative excitement under which they are pleased to keep 
themselves, while the romance and novelty of their new relation remain. 
It must, therefore, necessarily require several years of moderation for their 
systems to regain their wonted energies, and, as a sequence, we may reason- 
ably look for the best specimens of the genus homo among the youngest 
offspring of parents. If this reasoning is correct, and I appeal to the candid 
judgment of all experienced physiological observers if it is not, the chief 
and only important argument agaiust early marriage is futile, while the 
arguments in favor of early marriage are numerous and momentous. 

When God created man, He implanted in him two passions stronger than 
all others, the ultimate object of one being to sustain life, and that of the 
other to reproduce it. One passion calls for food, the other for sexual 
magnetism. Starvation of either often dethrones reason and renders men 
reckless and unmanageable. A man who is denied alimentary food scruples 
not to break locks and destroy life to obtain means for the gratification of 
his appetite. A man who is denied sexual food violates virtue and social 
regulations, or himself, for the gratification of his carnal appetite. Now, as 
to the precise time when these appetites should be gratified, it would seem 
that nature had distinctly indicated, and that is. when they manifest themselves. 
Immediately after birth the child exhibits an appetite for food, and the 
humane mother does not deny it nourishment, nor would she listen to the 
advice of any philosopher who directed her to deprive her offspring of the 
nourishment of her breast till it arrived at a certain age, adjudged proper 



900 ESSAYS FOR YOUNG AND OLD, 

by his school of savants. Appetite for food is thus early developed because 
the existence and growth of the infant depend on immediate and repeated 
nourishment; but sexual appetite remains undeveloped for many years, 
because its immediate manifestation is not necessary for reproduction. Now 
the question arises, does nature develop the latter before the individual is quali- 
fied for the propagation of perfect specimens of his kind t All who have 
observed the perfection of nature in all her works will unhesitatingly 
answer — No 1 Then we are to conclude that the age of puberty is that 
which nature appointed for marriage, are we ? Yes, I reply, if we make a 
few years' allowance for the prematurity induced by the improprieties of 
parents and the improper training and bad habits of children. The organ 
of amativenessis frequently too largely developed in the embryonic offspring 
by the excessive indulgence of the parents in sexual pleasures during the 
period of gestation. After the birth of the child, he is usually feasted on 
meats, tea and coffee, and other stimulating food and drink, fit only for 
persons of adult age, by which sexual precocity is produced. In conse- 
quence of these habits, for which parents are responsible, nature is in a 
measure perverted, and the sexual appetite is created a few years earlier 
than nature designed. Hence, even in this climate, girls usually commence 
menstruating at the age of thirteen or fourteen, and boys are often victims 
to habits of masturbation at twelve or thirteen. Nature's directions have 
been, in a measure, destroyed, as were the tables of the commandments in 
the days of Moses ; but they may bo restored in a few generations, if man- 
kind will but return to the observance of the laws of life and health. 

Notwithstanding, however, nature is to a certain extent anticipated in the 
development of the sexual appetite, the fact that sexual desires are mani- 
fested at an early period of manhood and womanhood is a strong argument 
in favor of early marriage, in view of which men and women should marry 
as soon after puberty as they are qualified to assume the cares and responsi- 
bilities which the relation entails; and, by this remark, I do not mean until 
they get rich, or in a position to live fashionably, but as soon as they can 
honorably support themselves and the children which may be born to them. 

In England, the 26th } r ear is the mean age at which men marry, and the 
25th, that at which women marry. In this country, the 24th year is the 
mean age at which men marry, and the 18th, that at which women marry. 
Now, I am not aware that the English surpass the Yankees in mental 
power, and if they do in physical strength, it is nothing more than we 
might expect when we contrast the habits of the English women with those 
of this country. The former are noted for their love of pedestrian exercise, 
and the latter for their devotion to badly-ventilated kitchens or parlors, 
and sedentary habits generally. That early marriage does not produce 
physical weakness, we have only to look at the Chinese, who regard a 



EARLY MARRIAGE. 901 

bachelor of twenty as an object of contempt! Still the "Celestials" have a 
fair reputation for physical strength, and deformity is not common among 
them. 

The tendency of early marriage, if formed on true principles, with due 
regard to the teachings of physiology and phrenology, is wholesome and 
elevating. ll Every school-boy knows," says a newspaper writer, ,; that a 
jute would not fly unless it had a string tying it down. It is just so in life. 
The man who is tied down by half-a-dozen blooming responsibilities and 
their mother, will make a higher and stronger flight than the bachelor, who, 
having nothing to keep him steady, is always floundering in the mud. If 
you want to rise in the world, tie yourself to somebody.'' 

Southey says that "a man maybe cheerful and contented in celibacy, 
but I do not think he can ever be happy ; it is an unnatural state, and the 
best feelings of his nature are never called into action." Xow, if it is an 
''unnatural state " for a man at thirty-five, it must be equally so at twenty- 
five, and even for a young man who has but just attained the age of 
puberty. 

M Early marriages, wherever they can be contracted with any ordinary 
regard to prudence." says Dr. "Wardlaw, of Scotland, in his lectures on 
Magdalenism, "'are among the best preventives of prostitution; and what- 
ever contributes to hinder the formation of these, may be regarded as 
standing chargeable with their share of its encouragement, as ranking 
among the causes of Magdalenism. I deny not that prudence is a virtue, 
and the question of marriage is a proper sphere for its exercise. But there 
cannot be a doubt that high notions, which, by the refinement and extrav- 
agance of our times, have been introduced, of the style in which young men 
entering on life must set up their domestic establishment, have, in many 
instances, laid restraints on the early cultivation of virtuous love, and pre- 
vented the happy union of hearts in youthful wedlock. I cannot look upon 
this as at all an improvement on the homely habits of our fathers. Many 
are the young men who are thus tempted to remain single by their felt 
inability to start in what is regarded a somewhat creditable style. Would to 
God I had the ear of all the youth in our city, and in our country, that I 
might tell them of the sweets of early virtuous union ; and that I might 
earnestly and affectionately urge them to consult their own best interests, 
and to set an example pregnant with the most beneficial results to the com- 
munity, by bidding defiance to the tyranny of fashion ; by returning to the 
good old way; by finding a partner who will marry from love ; and who 
will be willing and more than willing to begin upon little, and by the bless- 
ing of Providence, to rise gradually to more. Thai was the way in the 
olden time; and, although no croaker for the superiority of all that per- 
tained to ancestry, this, most assuredly, is a point in which J should say of 



902 ESSAYS FOR YOUNG AND OLD. 

the former days, ' they were better than these.' I would say to the rising 
youth — the hopes of coming generations — ' Moderate your views ; defy 
custom ; marry ; fear God : be virtuous ; and be happy.' Could my voice 
and my counsel prevail, what a salutary check would be given to the prev- 
alence of the vice which is our present subject." 

Celibacy is almost incompatible with virtue, and masturbation and prosti- 
tution cannot fail to result from deferring marriage much beyond the age of 
puberty. A life of celibacy is rarely a life of virtue, and I make the remark 
without ignoring the fact that Newton, Galileo, Michael Angelo, Locke, 
Hume, Pope, Bacon, Yoltaire, Cowper, and many other distinguished men, 
have lived and died old bachelors. The inborn sexual passion is generally 
too strong in man to be safely denied gratification, and if not gratified in 
marriage, it is apt to seek gratification in the dens of harlotry, or the secret 
chamber of the masturbator. Yet, those who possess not this passion, 
" are of all men most miserable." " The difference between a thoroughly 
selfish old bachelor, and a man that is married and fit to be married to a 
woman he loves," says Dixon, "is about the same as that of an American 
yacht and a Chinese junk: one will sail in the very eye of the wind, the 
other only when it is dead astern." 

"Yourtruo bachelor," says the same writer, "is stupid and awkward, 
and requires an immense berth ; ho is given to seat himself in the lady's 
chair, and to toast his shins before the middle of the fire ; very solicitous is 
he about his creature comforts, and a perfect stoic to woman's charms. 
He takes no hints ; never mind how coolly he is treated, nor what symp- 
toms of the opera or an evening party to which he has not been invited he 
may perceive, so much the more will he not go. Nay, the very appearance 
of the lady's gallant will not move him; he can inflict himself and his 
twaddle on some unfortunate member of the family ; she may make the 
best of him, for her martyrdom is certain. If there bo a stupid and good- 
natured brother who smokes fine cigars, and he will tolerate the insult to 
the sister, the sitting-room will be rendered peculiarly acceptable at breakfast 
to those who have delicate olfactories. The mental peculiarities of this 
creature are all characterized by dogmatism and selfishness, and no one at 
all familiar with the animal can fail at once to detect him. 

"The marriage of a young girl to such an individual can be productive 
of nothing but unhappiness; it is equally opposed to experience and 
natural instinct. The soul, as well as the body, shrinks into arid selfish- 
ness when it does not early bow to woman's charms. The lightning of the 
eye and the music of the voice are quenched by the vice of celibacy, and 
the miserable creature dreams not that the forfeit of his devotion to his 
personal comforts is nothing less than the capacity of their enjoyment." 



BUSINESS AVOCATIONS OPEN TO FEMALES. 903 



Business Avocations should be open to Females. 

One prolific cause of unhappy marriages is the limited sphere allowed 
females in which to exercise their ingenuity and talents for self-mainten- 
ance. In most parts of the civilized world it is not considered strictly 
respectable for a lady to pursue any active avocation sufficient in itself to 
give her comfortable support. Daughters are expected to lead idle lives 
under the parental roof until they can catch husbands; and, if their 
parents are not in circumstances of affluence, marriage is their onlyrefugo 
from pecuniary want in advanced age. The result is that women daily 
marry homes with little regard to the feelings they entertain for their 
proprietors. 

Now, this is all wrong, and should be remedied by opening for their 
pursuit all departments of business which they are physically qualified to 
conduct, and by giving them, at public schools, such practical educations 
as will enable them to compete successfully with their neighbors in broad- 
cloth. I know that there exists no civil law against women becoming 
merchants, lawyers, doctors, etc., but society has established a code which 
is about as effective as if it came by authority cf state, particularly as the 
education imparted to females in the family and iD school is such as to 
practically enforce obedience thereto. 

u 0ur girls are educated," says a writer, "not to develop their faculties 
as human beings ; not to give the freest scope to their talents and aid 
them in the pursuit of happiness; not to qualify them for the struggle of an 
earnest life, for honorable independence by industry, art, or literature. 
No, they are educated, ostensibly and at best, to make good wives and 
mothers, frequently that they may bo successful in catching husbands. 
"Whatever knowledge a husband may think desirable, whatever accom- 
plishments may aid them to entice and entrap some man of a suitable 
position to marry them; whatever may fit them to shine in those resorts of 
fashion and gayety which are our matrimonial markets, in these things our 
daughters receive instruction/' 

To show the necessity of women throwing off their dependence on the 
coarser sex, I cannot do better than quote Mrs. Jamieson. She says: "In 
these days, when society is becoming every day more artificial and more com- 
plex, and marriage, as the gentlemen assure us, more and more expensive, 
hazardous, and inexpedient, women must find means to fill up the void 
in existence. Men, our natural protectors, our lawgivers, our masters, 
throw us upon our own resources; the qualities which they pretend to 
admire in us — the overflowing, the clinging affections of a warm heart — the 
household devotion — the submissive wish to please, that feels 'every 



904 ESSAYS FOR YOUNG AND OLU. 

vanity in fondness lost ' — the tender, shrinking sensitiveness which Adam 
thought so charming in his Eve — to cultivate these, to make them, by 
artificial means, the staple of the womanly character, is it not to cultivate 
a taste for sunshine and roses in those we send to spend their lives in the 
arctic zone ? We have gone away from nature, and we must, if we can, 
substitute another nature. 

"Art, literature, and science remain to us. Religion — which formerly 
opened the doors of nunneries and convents to forlorn women — now ming- 
ling her beautiful and soothing influence with resources which the preju- 
dices have yet left open to us, only in the assiduous employment of such 
faculties as we are permitted to exercise, can wo find health, and peace, and 
compensation for the wasted or repulsed impulses and energies more proper 
to our sex — more natural, perhaps more pleasing to God; but trusting in 
His mercy, and using the means He has given, we must do the best we can 
for ourselves and for our sisterhood. The prejudices which would have shut 
us out from nobler consolation and occupations, have ceased, in great part, 
and will soon be remembered only as the rude, coarse barbarism of a by- 
gone age. Let us, then, have no more caricatures of methodistical, card- 
playing, and acrimonious old maids. Let us have no more of scandal, par- 
rots, cats, or lap-dogs — or worse! — these never-failing subjects of derision 
with the vulgar and the frivolous, but the source of a thousand compassion^ 
ate and melancholy feelings in those who can reflect ! In the name of 
humanity and womanhood, let us have no more of them. Coleridge, who 
has said and written the most beautiful, the most tender, the most reveren- 
tial things of woman — who understands better than any man, any poet, 
what I call the metaphysics of love — Coleridge, as you will remember, has 
asserted that the perfection of a woman's character is to be characterless. 
: Every man,' said he, 'would like to have an Ophelia or a Desdemona for 
his wife.' No doubt ; the sentiment is truly a masculine one; and what was 
their fate ? What would now be the fate of such unresisting and confiding 
angels ? Is this the age of Arcadia ? Do we live among Paladins and Sir 
Charles Grandisons ? and are our weakness, and our innocence, and our 
ignorance, safeguards — or snares ? Do we, indeed, find our account in 
being ' fine by defect, and beautifully weak V No, no ; women need, in 
these times, character beyond any thing else ; the qualities which will en- 
able them to endure and resist evil ; the self-governed, the cultivated, active 
mind, to protect and to maintain ourselves. How many wretched women 
marry for maintenance ! How many wretched women sell themselves to dis- 
honor for bread! and there is small difference, if any, in the infamy and the 
misery I How many unmarried women live in heart-wearing dependence ; 
if poor, in solitary penury — loveless, joyless, unendeared; if rich, in aimless, 
pitiless trifling 1 How many, strange to say, marry for the independence 



BUSINESS AVOCATIONS OPEN TO FEMALES. 905 

they dare not otherwise claim ! But, the snare-paths open to us, the less 
fear that we should go astray. 

: ' Surely it is dangerous, it is wicked, in these days, to follow the old 
saw, to bring up women to be ' happy wives and mothers ;' that is to say, 
to let all her accomplishments, her sentiments, her views of life, take one 
direction ; as if for women there existed only one destiny, one hope, one 
blessing, one object, one passion in existence. Some people say it ought 
to be so, but we know it is not so ; we know that hundreds, that thousands 
cf women are not happy wives and mothers — are never either wives or 
mothers at all. The cultivation of the moral strength and the active 
energies of a woman's mind, together with the intellectual faculties and 
tastes, will not make a woman a less good, less happy wife and mother, 
and will enable her to find content and independence when denied love and 
happiness." 

Nothing need be added to the sensible words quoted from the arguments 
of a sensible woman. I will only advise, nay, urge women to crowd them- 
selves into all business pursuits for which they are physically qualified, 
such as — wholesaling and retailing dry-goods, books, stationery, household 
wares, etc ; manufacturing and selling cotton and woolen goods, fine shoes, 
confectionery, cultivating and canning fruits ; and a thousand other avoca- 
tions, not excepting, when mental as well as physical qualifications are pos- 
sessed, the various professions, and especially that of medicine. Art, too, 
is something in which women gifted in this direction may excel. Any thing 
and every thing to the end that women may become less dependent upon 
their "legal protectors," and be enabled to live lives of " single blessed- 
ness," rather than unite themselves to disagreeable masses of masculine 
blood and bones, for the mere sake of escaping from poverty and starva- 
tion. Remember that, in the eyes of G-od, respectable prostitution, such as 
marrying for homes and wealth, is no better than that practised by aban- 
doned women. There is not the shadow of a reason that woman should 
be pecuniarily dependent upon man. Although in few respects like him, she 
is in all respects naturally his equal. And notwithstanding she has been 
educated for centuries past to not only feel, but acknowledge, mental 
superiority on the part of the Li lords of creation," there have been, from 
time to time, bursting forth from her sex, intellectual lights like Madames 
De Stael, De Genlis, Martineau, Wright, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, etc., to 
remind her of her slumbering genius. I have not patience to bring for- 
ward facts and arguments, numerous though they are, to prove that woman 
is mentally and physically capable of maintaining herself. It seems to me 
like a contemptible insult to her palpable ability, to directly or indirectly 
raise the question* 



9<W 



ESSAYS FOR YOUNG AND OLD. 



Ladies Should be Allowed to Pop the Question. 

"What I solicit gentlemen to marry them? Certainly! — why not? Have 
not ladies preferences which they have a natural right to indicate as well 
as gentlemen ? Is there any good reason why ladies should not have the 
privilege to choose, as well as refuse ? Strange, how firmly rooted false 
notions become by education ! Custom is a powerful law-maker, but net 
always a just one. He is particularly despotic in his conduct to ladies, and 
winks at many improprieties committed by gentlemen. He opens to man a 
wide field for industry and the accumulation of wealth ; to woman he gives 
a "seven-by-nine" room, in which she may labor in -penury until she can 
obtain absolution by marriage. And then, to crown all, if she wishes to 
marry, the old tyrant commands her to wait and accept or refuse such offers 



Fig. 194. 




YOUNG REBELS OF THE YEAB 1900 AGAINST OLD KING CUSTOM. 



as may be made, while to man he gives the exclusive prerogative of choice! 
True, woman has choice between her suitors, if she have more than one ; 
but it is often synonymous with a " choice between two evils," while man 
may select from a hundred or a thousand. "Women, in justice to them- 
selves and their female posterity, should rebel against this despotism as did 
our revolutionary fathers against British tyranny in colonial times. Empe- 
rors and kings do not monopolize despotism. Custom, though not himself 
a despot, is often despotic, and women are the most patient and uncomplain- 
ing victims of his tyranny. 

"How many women," says Dr. Davis, "have wished themselves men! 
Because, simply, that a ridiculous custom deprives women of social freedom. 



LADIES ALLOWED TO POP THE QUESTION. 907 

* * ^YThat wonder that some strong women-natures have burst the bonds, 
and steeled their hearts against the shafts of ridicule and derision ! How 
low must be the social state which curtails the social liberties of woman I 
She has no liberties io fir si manifest her preference to some kindred spirit of 
the opposite gender. Xo, indeed I If a woman should visit a man first, and 
inform him of her love toward him, the whole community would at once 
conclude that such a one "is no better than she should be/ " 

Robert Southev, the poet, who would perhaps have laughed at the proposi- 
tion of giving ladies the rig-lit to ask the hand of gentlemen in marriage, 
once said that "the risks of marriage are far greater on the woman's side."' 
11 Women,' 1 lie added, ' ; have so Utile the power of choice, that it is not, perhaps, 
fair to sav they are less likely to choose well than we are. ? ' He further 
said: ,: I know of nothing which a good and sensible man is so certain to 
find, if he looks for it, as a good wife." I am equally certain that there is 
nothing which a good and sensible woman would so certainly find, if she 
were allowed to look for it as a good husband. I deny that " their opinions 
concerning men are less accurate than men's opinions of their sex," as has 
been asserted. Xeither sex deserves great credit for judging of human 
character, especially before marriage : but women, as a rule, are gifted with 
keener perception than gentlemen. The female sex would not get cheated 
oftener in marriage than the male sex, if the former enjoyed the same pre- 
rogative to choose that the latter arrogates to itself. " Manage as they may.' 7 
says Xichols, "girls must wait for offers, and be the choice generally of a 
very narrow circle; and there is always a great temptation to accept the 
first, for fear of never having another." While this fact must universally be 
admitted, there is not a single good reason which can be urged against giv- 
ing to ladies the right to manifest their preferences ; but many may be 
adduced in favor of allowing them the valuable privilege. 

It frequently happens that an aristocratic lady's true counterpart is among 
the ranks of the humble, and while he would not dare to approach her with 
a proposition of marriage, she must not no matter how strong her affection 
for him, because custom forbids such a breach (?) of propriety. Many 
instances of this kind have come to my knowledge. A man in circum- 
stances of affluence feels no delicacy in proposing to a woman in humble 
life ; but if their circumstances are reversed, he fears his aspirations may 
be treated with scorn if he essays to offer her his hand in marriage. He 
thinks himself the recipient of great favor if she treats him with politeness 
and attention, and dare not think her conduct toward him is actuated by 
a desire that he should propose marriage. So bold a step on his part might 
forfeit even her friendship, and he chooses rather to remain sure in the pos- 
session of this than to encounter self-mortification and her displeasure, pos- 
sibly, by soliciting her love. She perceives his diffidence, and wishes she 



908 ESSAYS FOR YOUNG AND OLD. 

might, for one moment, avail herself of his prerogative. But she hesitates. 
She, too, may mistake his sentiments ; and, if so, and she should propose, 
what would the neighbors say ? How people would laugh 1 Months roll on 
and she, failing to make him understand her real sentiments, bestows her 
hand on some worthless fop who has more money than brains, and who has 
had the bravery to offer himself because he flourishes in the same circle of 
society that she does. She accepts because she may not have a better offer, 
and perhaps because he has a sister she loves, even if she does not love 
him ; and therefore she considers the family connection a happy one. This is 
no fancy picture. Every observer knows that instances of this kind are 
of frequent occurrence. 

Diffidence often prevents gentlemen from proposing, when their "sweet* 
hearts" occupy the same social position with themselves; and ladies, under 
such circumstances, would often "help them out," if they felt that they had 
a right to. L. N. Fowler relates an interesting example of this kind : " A 
very worthy, honest, diffident man, of the city of New York, paid his 
addresses to a young lady of equal worth and virtue, and the acquaintance 
became so intimate that he spent most of his leisure hours with her, always 
waited on her to and from church, etc., and continued so to do until fifteen 
years had elapsed; by this time the patience of the young woman became 
exhausted, and she resolved on bringing matters to a crisis. So she informed 
her lover, on his next visit, that she was about to leave the city. ' Are you ?' 
replied he with surprise. ' Wlcen are you going?' * To-morrow.' ' Where are 
you going ?' ' I don't know. ' ' What shall I do ? How long do you intend to 
be gone V ' I don't know what you will do, neither do I know how long I shall 
be gone,' said she ; ' and now if you want me, say so, and take me ; for now is 
your last opportunity.' He took the hint, and, arrangements being made, they 
were soon married. After he had tasted the sweets of married life, said he, 
' Wife, why did you not say so before ; for we might have been married 
fifteen years ago, as well as now, if you had merely said the word. I was 
ready to marry, and resolved to make the proposal again and again ; but 
each time my heart would rise in my throat, so that I could not speak.' " 
27ow, according to social etiquette, this lady was guilty of gross impropriety 
when she said to her bashful lover, " If you want me, say so, and take me." 
She would no doubt have said the same thing many years previous, had not 
custom forbade it ; and she would most undoubtedly have married some 
one she loved less before the expiration of the long term of courtship, had 
another offered ! 

It belongs to women to work a reform in this matter. They must 
"declare their independence," and sustain each other in assuming a pre- 
rogative which rightly belongs to them. If a group of ladies are informed, 
by an amazed biped in broadcloth, that Miss Somebody actually asked Mr. 



CARD TO THE UNMARRIED. 909 

Somebodyelse to marry her, they must not laugh and join with him in 
ridiculing the heroic girl, but unite with one accord in praising her for her 
courage, and lash with sarcasm the masculine gossiper who has heralded the 
report to them. It is all wrong that the gentlemen have a world full of 
f?.ir ones to select from, while ladies can only choose between two, three, or 
haif-a-dozen stupid admirers, who may offer themselves. There is no rea- 
son that it should be so, and the female sex is recreant to its own rights 
and happiness, if it does not assume the right to choose and propose. 

Card to the Unmarried. 

The author of this work is often applied to personally or by letter for 
advice, by both young women and young men desiring to marry or contem- 
plating marriage. One thinks he or she has some physical malformation, 
injury, or infirmity which would render such a step unadvisable. Another 
fears the law of mental and physical adaptation will be disregarded, follow- 
ed with conjugal unhappiness, if a certain pending courtship should result 
in marriage, or an actual engagement be fulfilled, and daguerreotypes or 
photographs of both parties, with descriptions of persons and characters, 
are presented for my decision and advice. Other matters of similar import 
are frequently laid before me in personal consultations or by letter. As 
these matters require time, and often considerable consideration, and do not 
belong to the ordinary labors of a physician, a fee of $5 will be charged for 
all such advice. Advice of this character will, at all times, be cheerfully 
given, if these terms are complied with, and all such consultations will be 
treated with entire confidence. 



910 



AUTHOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. 



Dr. E. B. FOOTE, His Sons and Assistants, 

May be Consulted daily, from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. 

(excepting Sundays), 

In the English, German, French or Scandinavian Language, 

at his office, 

No. 120 LEXINGTON AVENUE, Cor. of EAST 28th STREET, 

NEW YORK CITY. 



For covenience and permanence of location. Dr. Foote purchased, in 1867, the 
property above announced, and here his professional work has been carried on for 
over twenty-five years. It is within one block of the Third or Fourth avenue sur- 
face railroads, and a station of the Third avenue elevated road. The Lexington 
avenue cable cars run by the door— a branch of the Broadivay route. It is not far 
from the Grand Union Depot, at 42d street and 4th avenue, and by the above- 
named car lines and transfers it is easily reached from the routes of travel which 
land their passengers in Kew York by ferry. Dr. Foote's office is but a few steps 
from Madison Square Garden. 

In answer to numerous inquiries, Dr. Foote would take this opportunity to in- 
form correspondents that he cannot accommodate patients with board. There are, 
however, hotels and boarding houses within a convenient distance, fashionable and 
expensive, and unfashionable and comparatively cheap, where invalids can obtain 
accommodations according to their means. 

IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC DISEASES, 

Dr. Foote makes use of all the remedial agencies recommended in this work. 
Each disease is attended according to its individual peculiarities, and such treat- 
ment prescribed as, in all human probabilities, will most likely insure success. 

Invalids preferring to consult by letter are referred to page 600, where a list of 
questions will be found, answers to which will enable the author, by a careful 
analysis of symptoms, to form a correct opinion of the nature and curability of the 
case. 

ALL CONSULTATIONS 

In person or by letter, in English, German, French or Scandinavian languages, are 
free, with the exception of those relating to matters referred to on pages 829 and 
909. All consultations, either personally or by letter, are strictly confidential. 
This rule has been so faithfully observed by the author in his long and extensive 
practice, no person who has ever consulted him can complain of its infraction in a 
single instance. 

All letters are promptly answered when there is any reply called for. This is an 
invariable rule; consequently any one who addresses the author without receiving 
within reasonable time an acknowledgement, may rest assured that either the let- 
ter of the correspondent or the reply thereto has miscarried. 

RESIDENTS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES, 

Of England, France, Germany, and even Japan, China, Australia and South Africa, 
where this book has already found a wide circulation and made hundreds of friends, 
have availed themselves of the offer of free consultation by mail, and others are 
hereby invited to consider themselves welcome to seek advice in the same manner. 
There are many forms of chronic disease which can be successfully treated afar 
off, as abundant letters of evidence in hand attest. 



AUTHOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. 911 

SANITARY ARTICLES, INSTRUMENTS, MEDICINES, Etc., 

SUPPLIED BY MAIL OR EXPRESS FROM 

I>r. Footed "Sanitary Bureau," 129 E. 28th St., N. Y. 

[Make money orders, etc., payable to Dr. H. T. Foote, Manager.] 
(A more complete descriptive list or catalogue sent free.) 

EYE-SHARPENER, or Self Sight Restorer, for the restoration of sight impaired by 
age. [See page 415.] Sent by mail, postage paid, on receipt of $2. Agents want ed. 
MAGNETIC CltOO P TIPPET.— Warranted to prevent croup. A valuable, simple 
and perfectly comfortable nursery article, which has stood the test of forty 
years' trial, given perfect satisfaction and insured welcome relief in thousands of 
tamilies. Sent by mail for $2. (A pamphlet of advice and prescriptions for 10 ctsj 

FAMILY SYRINGES.— A plain, compression bu!b, Family Syringe, with three 
metal pipes, by mail for $1. 

THE ARTERIAL ACTION, Continuous Flow, all rubber, Syringe (pipes of hard 
rubber), a first-class article, for $2.00. 

FOUNTAIN SYRINGES, with three hard-rubber pipes, two-quart size for $1.50, 
and four-quart size for $2.50; postage 25 cents extra. 

ANITARY SYRINGES, for married women only, are great for thorough cleans- 
ing and use of medicinal washes without waste; by express only, for $2.00. 



S 



ELEC TKO-THERAPEUT1C MACHINES— the best medical batteries; less expensive 
and better than k, magnetic ,? or * 'electric" belts, bands, medals, garments, etc., 
most of which are useless ciap-trap. Elegant, practical, and handy machines; $8, $12 
and $24. 

-[TICK'S PATENT AIR-INFLATED RUBBER TRUSS PADS.— One cure pad and 
±1 one relief pad— can be adjusted to any truss. Price, $2 each, or the pair for $5, by 
mai 1 , prepaid The ""cure" pad is as sure cure as any " appliance " offered at ten 
times the cost, and the * k relief " pad is the most comfortable one that can be worn 
i n any case. 

TRUSSES, SINGLE AND DOUBLE.— Single truss, fitted with two of Hick's pads, 
$15: double truss, fitted with four pads, $25. When ordering any truss send 
measurement in inches about the body across, or at the level of the hips. These 
are fine goods, well finished, neatly covered and durable . 

PIIIMOSIS~INSTRUMENT.— For the cure of congenital or acquired Phimosis 
[contracted foreskin] without circumcision, cutting, tearing, or pain. An in- 
Btraaent which can be safely put in the hands of the patient himself to effect Ins 
o vii cure, and one which cannot fail when intelligently applied according to direc- 
tions. Price, by express, 



PiiRMATORRHCEA RING.— An easily adjusted instrument to give the sleeper 
fO timely war ning in case of threatened involuntary loss. By mail, prepaid, $1.00. 
Q "'JROTAL SUPPORTER'S FOR GENTLEMEN -A comfortable suspensory for 
U relaxed parts; absolntelv indispensable in VARICOCELE, invalusUe in all cases 
of s-velling or disease of the testicles, and always an aid in the cure of Spermator- 
rhoea. Simple suspensorv for support, $1.00, by mail, prepaid. One-string com- 
pression supporter, the improved supporter. $1.50. Three-string bandage, forbad 
cases of varicocele, hydrocele, and orchitis [inflamed testicle], $3. The one and the 
three string supporters come in three sizes each— large, small and medium. [Read 
p age 531 o f this book.] 

PILE COMPRE^rTR^For external [protruding] piles and falling of the rectum ; 
a source of great comfSoft to many sufferers [See page 399.] By mail, re- 
d uced from g.io to ?5. Li orderi ng sen d wai s t measure to ensure right size. 

SHOULDER BRACES Als T fKABDOMINAL SUPPORTERS.— For both sexes. When 
ordering a shoulder brace send measurement about chest and around waist, 
also from shoulder blade to wai?t. Price, bv mail, prepaid, $3; steel back brace, 
$5. When ordering abdominal supporter send measurement around waist, and 
also largest abdominal girth. Price. 33 and $5. , 

IMPREGNATING SYRINGE— An instrument for facilitating conception in rases 
of barrenness due to obstruction in the neck of the womb. Price, with full di- 
rections, $5. 



912 



AUTHOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. 



Dr. Foote's Standard Specialties 

Supplied by mail or express from 
Dr. Foote's Sanitary Bureau, 129 East 28th St., New York. 

(<4 more complete Illustrated Circular sent free.) 



No. 1. Magnetic Ointment, 

Cures sprains, braises, wounds, sore throat, stiff neck, 

Backache, sore nipples, colic, cramps, piles, corns. 

Relieves rheumatism, salt rheum, boils, felons, 

Promotes easy labor. A boon to mothers. 

A valuable remedy for all infants* ills. 
Price by mail, sample, 25 cts.; 2 ozs., 50 cts.; 4 ozs., $1. By express only, at pur- 
chaser's expense, 16 ozs , $3. 

No. 2. Magnetic Oatarrh Balm, 

Cures nasal catarrh, sore eyes and ears, chapped lips. 

Disinfects discharges, softens scabs, allays itching. 

Soothes irritable, inflamed mucous membranes. 
Price 50 cts. per jar, by mail. 

No. 3. Magnetic Anti-Bilious Tablets, 

Cure biliousness, sick headaches, chronic constipation, 

Liver torpor, sallowness, nausea, hemorrhoids, flatulence. 
Promote digestion, assimilation, pure blood. 

Stimulate elimination, cleanse entire system. 
Entirely vegetable, no mercury. 
Price 25 cts. by mail; large box, $1. 

No. 4. Tonic and Ague Tablets, 

Cure chills and fever, dumb ague, all malaria. 

Loss of appetite, bloodlessness, weakness, blues. 

Sanitary aromatic, bitter barks; no quinine. 
Price by mail, 50 cts. per box of 90 tablets— 90 doses. 

No. 8. Anti-Kheumatic Tablets, 

Cure rheumatism, gout, sciatica, lumbago and all 

Headaches, heart, lung and skin diseases caused by 
Uric acid in the blood; and Bright's disease. 

A FINE KIDNEY TONIC. 

Price by mail, 50 cts. per box of 60 tablets. 

No. 10. Soluble Sanitary Tampons, 

Self -cure, home treatment for diseases op women. 

"Direct medication "for misplacements, inflammation, 

Menstrual pains and irregularities, apathy, sterility, 

Leucorrhcea, ulceration— a mild medicament. 

Very strengthening, healing, antiseptic 
One box of tampons sufficient for one month, by mail, $1. 

No. 11. Magnetic Oramp Tablets, 

Cure colics, dyspeptic headaches, pains and cramps, 

" Bowel complaints," scant and painful "periods." 
A great boon to women and children. 

A soothing pain killer without opiate. 
Price by mail, 50 cts. per box of 90 tablets. 

No. 12. Magnetic dough Tablets, 

Cure spasmodic coughs and nervous headaches. 

Neuralgia, nervous irritability, hysteria, sleeplessness. 
A safe anodyne without opiate. 
Pric# by mail, 50 cts. per box of 90 tablets, 



THE MAGNETIC OINTMENT. 

It is a positive cure for ail sprains, "bruises, burns, flesh wounds, sore throat, stiff- 
neck, backache, broken breast, sore nipples, colic pains, cramps, earache, paine in 
all parts of the system; and greatly assuages the pains of hard and soft corns, boils, 
felons, carbuncles, rheumatism, neuralgia, etc. 

It is a reliable medicine for children, who should not be dosed with drugs. This 
external medicine will uhswi r in nearly every emergency in removing the ills common 
to infants. Applied to the stomach it relieves wind-colic, loss of appetite, sour stom- 
ach, etc. Applied to the bowels it softens excrementitious matter, relieving consti 
pation. It also cures diarrhoea, by relieving the intestinal irritation which causes it, if 
applied to the bowels. It is a valuable remedy for the nursery. Every young mother 
should have it. 

It greatly promotes easy labour and should be conveniently at hand. Invaluable 
to every woman, especially just before, during and after confinement, for the relief 
of piles, cramps, abdominal muscular pains, excessive after-pains, sore nipples, 
broken breasts, etc., etc. 

Price, by mail, prepaid, in 4-oz. can only^ $1.00. 

WHAT ITS FRIENDS SAY OF IT. 
FROM THOSE WHO HAVE TRIED IT & ORDER MORE. 

Pop Everything.— " We cannot get along without your Magnetic Ointment, for it 
is the best medicine for everything that we ever used. One of our neighbors had sore 
breasts and my wife sent her some of it, which cured her in two days." 

For Rheumatism.— The Rev. Wm Scott Downey, of New York, says: " I write 
from my sick chamber to eay your Magnetic Ointment is one of the best remedies for 
the rheumatism, cuts, piles, carbuncles and corns that can be used. The more I use 
the Ointment the more / am astonished at its efficacy. For the good of our neighbors 
I advise you to set its value before the public. 'Were I young and in health I am 
quite certain I could make a livirg from being your agent, selling that Ointment 
particularly." 

For Piles.— A lady patient writes: " I gave some of your Magnetic Ointment to 
a lady who was suffering with piles and it helped her so much that she desired me to 
sell her a bottle cf mine, which I did. She eaid she wanted more." A physician 
also writes: " I have found it to effect speedy relief in piles." 

For Confinement.— A lady writes: "I was confined July 2d, and had a very 
quick and ea?y time. I think your Ointment the best thing ever tried in 
confinement." 



MAGNETIC ANTI-BILIOUS PILLS. 

These Pills are an entirely vegetable substitute for mercury, and their action 
upon the liver is far superior to that of any drug. They are each electrically negative, 
and when taken into the stomach they stimulate the positive forces of the gastric 
j-uice to healthy action and attract the same forces of elimination to act upon the 
functions of the liver, causing a free discharge of bile into the intestinal canal, where 
its dissolving and lubricating properties soften the excrementitious matters and give 
them an easy and natural passage through the email intestines aud lower bowei, while 
the properties of the medicine continue to act as a tonic upon all these enfeebled or 
inactive organs and canals. They infallibly cure bilious headache, ordinary or chronic 
constipation, want of tone of the stomach or bowels, promote dig* stion, cause healthy 
assimilation of nutriment, and, in fact, are the best family pill in use. 

Price, single box, by mail, 35 cents; three boxes, $1. 

WHAT PEOPLE SAY OF THESE PILLS. 

The following are quotations from bona-fide letters on file in Dr. Foote's office, 
but the names are omitted as they are extracts from confidential letters: 

M Your Anti-Bilious Pills are the best I have ever taken, and I would not be with- 
out them for ten times what they cost; in fact, I think they have done more for me 
than any other medicines." 

"Please forward another dozen boxes of your Pills. They are the best I have 
ever used, and I have tried several kinds." 

Address, DR. E. 11. FOOTE, 

LOrder Department.) 120 Lexington Avenue, New York, 



914 AUTHOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. 

Facial Blemishes. 

Besides the disfigurements caused by various skin diseases, already sufficiently 
described in Chapter XII, there are several minor ones, hardly belonging among 
diseases, and yet a source of much annoyance. Some are birth-marks, naevi, 
which can only be removed by operation. Some are scars, from accidents, which 
can seldom be improved. Some are like freckles, peculiar to the skin, and hardly 
removable. But many blemishes are mere superficial growths, warts or moles, that 
can be readily and safely eaten off by mild caustics persistently applied. " Liver 
spots " and other local stains, can be removed by lotions that bleach the skin with- 
out harm; but these and more general stains that constitute a " bad complexion " 
are often indications that there is need of general treatment to purify the blood 
and secretions. 

Hair may grow where it ought not to— lt superfluous "—and may fall out where 
it is wanted— baldness. These complaints are often dependent upon general faults 
of nutrition, deserving of attention, and yet the immediate and most practical 
treatment for many cases is local. Recognizing the desire for self-improvement in 
this direction as commendable. Dr. Footb has sought the safest and most legiti- 
mate methods of relief for these personal defects, and offers the following list of 

Safe Sanitary Skin and Toilet Articles* 

No. 31. Boracic Soap, 

To improve complexion, relieve itching, and minor eruptions, red spots, sca'es 
and dandruff (a fine shampoo), 50 cents per cake, mailed. For every-day use. 

No. 32. Ichthyol Soap. 

For salt rheum, ring worm, unnatural redness of nose or face, " skin worms," 
black-heads, pimples, 50 cents. 

No. 33. Anti-Parasitic Soap, 

Banishes all superficial parasites, animal or vegetable; fleas, rin~-worra, itch in- 
sects, lice, " crabs," and is useful against unclean eruptions (syphilitic), ulcers, etc., 

50 cents. 



No. 34. Sanitary Caustic, 

Will gradually eat away warts, m 
flammation or leaving scars. 50 cei 

No. 35. Sanitary Emulsion, 



Will gradually eat away warts, moles and other excrescences without exciting in- 
flammation or leaving scars. 50 cents, by mail. 



'off with the old and on with the new " cuticle. Price 50 cents, by mail. 

No. 36. Depilatory, 

Removes superfluous hair, without any caustic effect, thus avoiding the injurious 
effect of the ordinary chemical depilatories. $1.00 per cake, by mail. 

No. 1. For threatened Baldness, poor growth of hair, and all scalp irritations, 
we offer our regular Magnetic Ointment (No. 1) as the best remedy, and can show 
tae finest testimonials to its usefulness in this line. 25c, 50c. and $1.00. (Page 913.) 

SANITARY BURE4U ? „ 129 East 28tlx Street, New York, 



APPENDIX. 



PRELIMINARY REMARKS— PRESCRIPTIONS. 

TThis part of " Plain Home Talk" appears for the first time in the 
edition of ten thousand copies, printed for the year 1889. Up to 
this time about half a million of these books had been sold (begin- 
ning with and including the earliest editions of " Medical Common 
Sense," back in 1857). During over thirty years, not a business 
day has come and gone without the receipt by author and pub- 
lishers of letters expressing the highest gratification with the work, 
or containing thanks for some special bit of advice or information 
which a reader has found very useful and appropriate to his needs ; 
but now and then is heard a complaint that the book is not as 
other popular medical works in the one matter, that it lacks 
special instructions for the management of all diseases, and 
prescriptions for medicinal treatment of them. To the careful 
reader of the book, it has doubtless been made evident that the 
author never intended to include in this work the broad domain of 
medical practice, which would require, at least, another volume of 
one thousand pages. There are already several carefully prepared, 
but necessarily large and expensive works, covering this field, 
while " Plain Home Talk" embraces many very important subjects 
which these family practice books do not touch upon. A knowl- 
edge of the causes and means of avoiding disease is not only more 
important, but more easy to make plain to the general reader, and 
tha author still holds firmly the opinion that, in selecting subjects 
for the preceding chapters, he has chosen well for the greatest 
good of the greater number of his readers. To acquire even a 
moderate understanding of the other domain — the diagnosis and 



016 APPENDIX. 

treatment of disease — really necessitates much study, wide readings 
special aptitude, and opportunity for varied experience ; but there 
is no need of repeating here the line of argument presented in 
Chapter XIII. of Part II., and elsewhere, under the heading 
"Everybody His Own Doctor." 

An old recipe for cooking a hare, begins, "first, catch the hare," 
and so, to use wisely a prescription suggested for a disease, presup- 
poses that the disease has been correctly recognized. For neither 
acute or chronic diseases is it possible to name universal specifics 
that are applicable in all cases ; and many of the familiar names of 
disordered states of the body are, in fact, merely names of signs 
or symptoms, and not of primary diseases. So it becomes easier 
to suggest remedies or recipes for relief of ordinary symptoms of 
consumption (of which disease there are many varieties), than to 
write down dogmatically prescriptions for the disease itself, or the 
remedies for removing its causes. As to acute diseases, even when 
correctly recognized, the curative medicine for one person might be 
the worst possible for another, as in pneumonia; and all physicians 
agree that, however important be the recognition of the disease, 
the treatment is after all determined by the symptoms. 

Even for well-known symptoms, it is not always easy to point 
out how to select the best remedy. Taking headache, for instance, 
it may be due to brain exhaustion, to stomach disorders, to liver 
or kidney incompetency, to sluggish bowels, or womb congestion ; 
and the best mode of relief for any case is that which will in the 
best and quickest way remove the cause. 

It is, therefore, easy to see that a prescription may do wonders 
or do nothing, according as it is or is not appropriately selected 
and employed. No physician can, then, be judged by his prescrip- 
tions, except when they are used by his direction and selection in 
cases under his care. 

A few years ago a collection of useful notes and articles was 
made, from previous volumes of Dr. Foote's Health Monthly, to 
make a pamphlet of one hundred and twenty-eight pages, pub- 
lished under the title of i ' Dr. Foote's Handbook of Health Hints 
and Heady Recipes." It has served so useful a purpose, and 
helped so often to alleviate the common ailments of many a family 
(judging by the favorable reports of it), that we have been encour- 
aged to think that the utility of "Plain Home Talk" can be iu- 



APPENDIX. 



917 



creased by adding this chapter of selected prescriptions. Many 
have been chosen because they are in the best sense : ' homely " 
and handy, and care has been exercised in the selection to avoid 
such drugs or combinations as might not be safe in inexperienced 
hands. Yet even the dullest tools may hurt clumsy hands, and 
those who make use of any of the following formulae are urged to 
exercise care to avoid mistakes in copying or compounding, and to 
make themselves familiar with measures and doses. Both solids 
and fluids are prescribed in drachms and ounces, but there are 
two parallel tables of weight and measure, thus : 



60 grains = 1 drachm. 
8 drachms = 1 ounce. 



60 drops = 1 fluid drachm. 
8 fluid drachms = 1 ounce. 
16 ounces = 1 pint. 



An ordinary teaspoon once measured approximately one fluid 
drachm, but now teaspoons are made larger than formerly, so that 
one teaspoonful may measure two drachms. A tablespoonful equals 
about four drachms, or half an ounce, while a teacup holds about 
four (fluid) ounces or one gill. 



1. Abortion, when threatened, may 
be warded off by entire rest in bed, 
and the administration of one to five 
drops of the fluid extract of conium, 
once in two hours ; or fluid extract of 
viburnum prunif olium in doses of one 
drachm once in two hours. 

Acne : Face Pimples. 

2. 3. Tine, green soap.... 3 ounces. 

Carbolic acid % drachm. 

Alcohol to make 4 ounces. 

Apply at night and wash off next 
morning with hot water. 
Or, 

3. I£. Camphor 10 grains. 

Simple sulphur oint- 
ment 1 ounce. 

Apply at night and wash off next 
morning with hot water. 
Or, 

4. fy. Carbonate ammo- 

nium 3 drachms. 

Boracic acid 1 drachm. 

Ether 9 3 ounces. 

Water 3 " 

Used as a lotion twice daily. 



Angina Pectoris : Painful Cramps 
in the Chest. Also for Facial 
Neuralgia. 

5. ^. Ammonium valerian- 

ate 5 grains. 

Ammonium chloride. 30 " 
Take in one dose, in water. 

Aphthae, or Aphthous Sore 
Mouth, Common in Phthisis. 

6. I£. Sulphate quinine 1 grain. 

Oil of black pepper ... 1 drop. 

Water 1 ounce. 

Use to rinse the mouth. 

Asthma: For Relief of Parox- 
ysms. 

(Apply freely Dr. Foote's Magnetic 
Ointment to the chest.) 

7. 1$. Tine, lobelia 1 ounce. 

Iodide ammonium.. 2 drachms 
Bromide ammonium 3 " 

Syrup tolu 3 ounces. 

Dose. — One teaspoonful every one or 

two hours. 

Or, 



913 



APPENDIX. 



8. ]£. Powdered lobelia 2 ounces 

Powdered stramonium 2 " 

Powdered nitre 2 '* 

Powdered black tea. . . 2 " 

Mix thoroughly, place a teaspoonf ul 
on a saucer, ignite it with the flame 
of an alcohol lamp, and breathe the 
fumes, holding head well over the 
saucer. 

Baby Foods. 

9. Add a pint of hot water to an 
ounce of pearl barley; cool and 
strain ; mix one-third of a pint of 
this barley-water with two-thirds of 
a pint of fresh cow's milk, and add 
a teaspoonf ul of milk sugar. — Dr. S. 
B. Sherry. 

10. I£. Cow's milk 1 ounce. 

Lime-water 2 ounces. 

Cream 2 V 

Sugar-water 3 " 

The sugar - water consists of 18 
drachms of milk-sugar in a pint of 
water. 

Baking Powders. 

11. 1$. Tartaric acid 6 ounces. 

Bicarbonate sodium 8 u 

Flour 32 " 

Mixed. 

Or, 

12. I£. Best cream of tar- 

tar 2} drachms. 

Baking soda 1 drachm. 

Corn-starch 1 w 

To make this excellent powder easily 
use one teaspoonful of each article as a 
drachm. Sift together and keep dry. 

Baldness in Spots. 

Use with care a stimulating salve of 

13. I£. Veratria 5 to 10 grains. 

Lard 1 ounce. 

Bed Sores. 

14. IJ. Alum 1 ounce. 

Tine, camphor 4 ounces. 

Mix thoroughly with t>.e whites of 
four eggs, and apply to the sores. 



Bitters. 
15. ^. Bruised cinchona 

bark % ounce* 

Bruised bitter or- 
ange peel 1 drachm 

Bruised c o 1 u m b a 

root 1 M 

Bruised gentian root 1 " 
Bruised rhubarb 

root 1 " 

Chamomile flowers . 1 lg 
Percolate through a tin funnel, 
slowly, with brandy, six ounces, and 
then with water, one pint. 

Dose. ■ — One tablespoonf ul before 
each meal. 

Blues, Melancholy. 

1.6. Dryden says : " The yellow gall 
that in your bosom floats, engenders 
all these melancholy thoughts." The 
Rev. Dr. Deems therefore prescribes 
anti-bilious pills for members of his 
flock in the mire of despondency, and 
reports good results. Of all anti- 
bilious pills, Dr. Foote's Magnetio 
Vegetable Anti-bilious Pills are the 
best. 

Bronchitis, in Infants. 

17. I£. Syrup of senega. . 1 drachm. 

Syrup of tolu 2 ounces. 

Chloride of ammo- 
nium 10 grains. 

One small teaspoonful every thre< 
hours. 

Bruises. 

18. To prevent black and blue spots, 
try starch powder or arrowroot moist- 
ened with water to a paste. 

Bites or Stings of Insects, Bugs, 
Fleas, Mosquitoes, etc. 

19. fy. Sulpho-carbolate of 

sodium 1 drachm. 

Water 4 ounces. 

A tablespoonf ul by the mouth, four 
times daily, and apply externally to 
the stung part. 

20. Locally, apply castor-oil ; it is 
generally handy and always soothing. 

21. For bee sting, apply a wee drop 
of oil cf cinnamon with a splinter of 
wood. 



APPENDIX 



919 



Bolls, Abscesses, Carbuncles. 

2.3. Apply with a earner s-hair pen- 
cil one part of carbolic acid in ten 
parts of glycerine. 

Or, 

85. Hot fomentations of poppy- 
heads, and poultice. 

Or, an ointment of 

24. I£. Powdered borax. . . 1 drachm. 

Benzoic acid J " 

Petrolatum 2 ounces. 

and take internally 

25. ^o-grain doses of calcium sul- 
phide three times daily. 

The homoeopaths prescribe : 

26. Tincture of arnica, one drop 
once in three hours. Two drachms of 
extract fresh arnica flowers in four 
drachms honey, makes a good local ap- 
plication beneath a poultice. 

Burns. 

(Dr. Foote's Magnetic Ointment on 

linen.) 

27. Carron oil, an old standard rem- 
edy, is made of equal parts of linseed- 
oil and lime-water. 

28. Dip pieces of blotting-paper in 
molasses and apply them to the burns ; 
especially handy and safe in burns 
about the face. 

29. f£. Boracic acid 15 grains. 

Glycerine 1 drachm. 

Olive-oil 1 ounce. 

As a local application. 

30. Paint the burned part with ex- 
tract pinus canadensis. 

Baking soda applied dry, with band- 
age wet with water, is very soothing. 

Cancer. 
Locally, to relieve pain, apply lint 
Boaked i i a solution of 

31. R. Citric acid I drachm. 

Water 4 ounces. 

CATARRH OF THE HEAD. 

32. Use Magnetic Catarrh Balm at 
night, and a cleansing, disinfectant 
wash for use as a nasal douche, morn- 
ings. 



33. I£. Carbolic acid 5 grains. 

Camphor 5 " 

Common salt 2 drachma 

Water 1 pint. 

Or, 

34. I£. Permanganate of po- 

tassium 4 grains. 

Water 4 ounces. 

Snuff this solution up thenosmis. 

35. A pinch of salt in warm water 
makes a good nasal wash. 

36. IJ. Baking soda 3 grains. 

Borax o 

Water 1 ounce. 

As a nasal wash. 

For a catarrh of the stomach, or 
mucous membrane generally. 

37. I£. Potassium bichro- 

mate 10 grains. 

Water £ pint. 

Dose. — One teaspoonf ul three times 
a day. 
Or, 

38. Tine mix vomica, two or three 
drops in water every three hours. 

Chilblains. 

39. 1$. Carbolic acid 1 drachm. 

Tine, iodine 2 drachms. 

Tannic acid 2 u 

Simple cerate ..... 4 ounces. 
Use as a salve. 

40. I£. Chloride of ammo- 

nium h ounce. 

Vinegar 2 ounces. 

Water 6 

Apply as a lotion. 

41. Oil of peppermint, applied with 
soft cloth or camers-hair brush 

42. Cinder in the Eye. — Try rub- 
bing the other eye, which causes flow 
of tears in both and washes out the 
foreign body. 

43. Get a friend (who knows how) 
to roll the upper eyelid over a pencil 
to expose its under surface, when any 
foreign body imbedded in the mem- 
brane can be wiped off with soft tip of 
a finger. In doing this the subject 
looks downward, while the operator 
takes the eyelashes of upper lid be- 
tween thumb, and finger, and raises 
them up while, with the other hand, 
using a pencil or pen-holder to press 



920 



APPENDIX. 



the body of the lid down, thus turn- 
ing it wrong side out. 

COSMETICSL 

44. For removal of comedones 
( u black heads" or u flesh worms") 
from the face, try washing with water 
containing diluted water of ammonia, 
one teaspoonf ul of the latter in a wine- 
glass of water, and rub briskly dry 
with a rough towel. Comedones can 
be pressed out with a watch-key, plac- 
ing the winding end over the black 
spot and pressing down firmly. 

For acne or pimples, a good lotion 
is as follows : 

45. I£. Sulphur 3 drachms. 

Spirits of camphor 1 drachm. 
Lime-water 3 ounces. 

Emollient glycerine lotion, for soft- 
ening chapped skin. 

46. IJ. Mucilage of quince 

seeds 1 ounce. 

Glycerine 1 " 

Orange flower-water. 4 ounces. 

47. For chapping, try finely pow- 
dered common starch. 

To a basin of water add a teaspoon- 
fulof 

48. 1$. Tine, benzoin 1 drachm. 

Rose-water 2 ounces. 

All proprietary cosmetics are likely 
to contain lead, zinc, or mercury, in 
some form, as their basis, and such 
are poisonous. 

Colic. 

49. ^. Magnesium car- 

bonate 1 J drachm. 

Ammonium car- 
bonate J " 

Comp. tine, lav- 
ender 2 drachms. 

Peppermint - wa- 
ter 6 ounces. 

Dose. — A tablespoonful every two 
hours till relieved. 

50. For baby's colic there is no safer 
treatment, and often nothing more re- 
quired than gently rubbing of bowels 
with Dr. Footers magnetic ointment. 
It is useful either in cases of diarrhosa 
or constipation, and favors normal ac- 
tion. 



Cholera Mixtures: for Colic, 
Cramps, Diarrhoea. 

51. 1$. Tine, opium 2 drachms. 

Tine, capsicum ... 2 4l 

Spirits camphor .. . 2 " 

Ess. peppermint .. . 2 a 

Water 1 ounc*. 

Known as "Blackwell's Island Hoi 
Drops." 

Dose. — One teaspoonf ul. 
(The New York Sun mixture.) 

52. I£. Tine, capsicum 1 ounse. 

Tine, opium 1 " 

Tine, rhubarb 1 " 

Essence peppermint. 1 u 

Spirits camphor 1 u 

Dose. — Fifteen to thirty drops. 
(Squibb' s diarrhoea mixture.) 

53. ^. Spirits camphor . . 1 ounce. 

Tine, opium 1 " 

Tine, capsicum ... 1 u 

Chloroform 3 drachms. 

Alcohol to make . . 5 ounces. 
Dose. — For adult, one drachm. 

Cholera Infantum, Infants' Sum- 
mer Diarrhcea. 

54. I&. Fluid ext. lycopus 

virginicus (bugle 

weed) 4 drachms, 

Sweet milk 8 ounces. 

Boil together one minute; cool it 
and keep cool, and give teaspoonf ul 
doses from fifteen minutes to two hours 
apart. 

55. I£. Sodium bicarbonate. 4 grains. 

Spts. of chloroform. 40 drops. 

Glycerine 80 u 

Water 1 ounce. 

Dose. — One teaspoonf ul in two tea- 
spoonfuls of hot water, and repeat in 
half an hour, if necessary. 

Corns. 

56. Apply glacial acetic acid with 
care to avoid touching adjacent parts. 

Or, 

57. Tincture of iodine. 
Or, 

58. Salicylic acid 1 drachm. 

Simple cerate 1 ounce. 

Or, 



APPENDIX. 



921 



59. Ext. cannabis indica. . . 5 grains. 

Salicylic acid 30 " 

Collodion J ounce. 

Apply with earner s-hair pencil night 
and morning for several days, till a 
protective coating is formed. 

00. Dr. Foote's Magnetic Ointment 
is not caustic or irritant enough to 
dissolve corns, but is of great service 
in softening them, and to relieve heat, 
soreness, and inflammation when 
bou-id on with a soft cloth during 
sle j ping hours. 

Cough. 

61. I£. Rock candy 4 ounces. 

Vinegar 4 " 

Honey 1 ounce. 

Lemon juice 1 u 

Butter 2 ounces. 

Rum 2 " 

Warm and simmer well together. 
Dose. — One teaspoonful 
63. I£. Citrate of potassium 1 drachm. 

Lemon juice 2 ounces. 

Syrup of ipecac X ounce. 

Simple syrup 4 ounces. 

Dose. — A tablespoonful four or six 
times daily.— H. C. Wood. 

Cough Remedy. 

63. fy. Fl. ext. wild cherry 2 drachms. 

Simple syrup 2 M 

Glycerine 6 

Syrup of tar 3 ounces. 

Dose. — One teaspoonful as required. 
London Cough Syrup. 

64. 5. Hops 1 ounce. 

Hoarhound 1 " 

Wild cherry bark ... 1 " 

Iceland moss 1 " 

Mix and pour on two quarts of 
water, simmer to one quart, and add 
four ounces of pine tar. Stir till 
nearly cold, and add loaf-sugar, one 
pound, and good rum, half -pint. 
Dose. — One teaspoonful as required. 

65. I£. Fl. ext. asclepias tu- 

berosa 1 ounce. 

Fl. ext. Jamaica dog- 
wood 1 u 

Tine, lobelia inflata. 1 " 

Glycerine 1 " 

Dose. — From ten drops to a tea- 
spoonful, from every half hour to 
three times a day.— Dr. Elmore Pal- 
mer. 



Constipation of Pregnancy. 
G(y. 5 . Powdered senna . . 2 drachms. 
Powdered licorice 
root 2 u 

Powdered fennel 

seeds 1 drachm. 

Sublimed sulphur. 1 " 
Powdered sugar.. 6 drachms. 
Mix, and thirty to sixty grains 
makes a pleasant laxative. 

67. For constipation in infants try 
giving two or three times a day, a 
lump of common brown sugar or a 
nice raisin. For children an injeo- 
tion of a teaspoonful of glycerine will 
often bring about a movement of the 
bowels in fifteen minutes. 

Cystitis, Inflammation of the 
Bladder. 

68. Try fluid extract of stigmata 
maidis (the stigma of maize), one tea- 
spoonful three times a day. — Dr. 
Sterne. 

Or, 

69. 3£. Benzoic acid 1 drachm. 

Borax 1 u 

Infusion buchu 12 ounces. 

Dose. — One-sixth part of the mix- 
ture, three or four times daily, with 
considerable water or flaxseed tea. 

Dandruff (of the Scalp). 

70. I£. Chloral hydrate... 1 drachm. 

Glycerine 4 drachms. 

Bay rum 8 ounces. 

As a scalp wash, use two or three 
times a week. 

71. In all scaly conditions of the 
scalp, and where the hair tends to fall 
out, Dr. Foote's Magnetic Ointment 
stimulates better blood circulation, 
softens and removes scales, allays 
itching and irritation, and favors 
growth of hair ; if applied at night 
three times a week, and hair washed 
next morning with good castile soap- 
suds. 

Depilatory to Remove Superflu- 
ous Hair. 

72. I£. Washing soda 1 drachm. 

Quicklime 3^2 " 

Glycerine 1 " 

Charcoal powder . . 8 grains. 

Lard 7 drachms. 

Apply once or twice daily till the 
hairs come out easily. 



922 



APPENDIX. 



Or, 

73. A saturated solution of barium 
sulphide., made into a paste with pow- 
dered starch ; which paste is applied to 
the hairy spots, allowed to remain till it 
causes smarting, then scraped off with 
a knife, and the part washed with 
water or some pleasant face wash. 

Diphtheria. 

74. Locally, spray the throat with 
lime water ; or, 

75. A solution of permanganate of 
potassium ; 10 grains in a pint of 
water ; or, 

76. Apply locally powdered sul- 
phur (blown in) ; or, 

77. Pepsin in glycerine ; or, 

78. Glycerite of borax. 

79. Put five teaspoonf uls of cubebs 
(powder) in a steam vaporizer, and 
convey the steam by a rubber tube to 
the patient's mouth for inhalation (a 
French idea). 

80. Saturate cotton wool with lemon 
juice and press this against the affected 
surface four times a day. 

A Suitable Gargle for Diphthe- 
ritic Sore Throat. 

81. 3 . Carbolic acid .... 20 drops. 

Acetic acid 30 " 

Honey 2 drachms. 

Tine, myrrh 2 " 

Water to make . . 6 ounces. 

Disinfectants. 
An ordinary wash for sores, ulcers, 
wounds, etc. : 

8.3. 1$. Carbolic acid 1 drachm. 

Water 1 pint. 

For bed pans and other utensils : 
83. 1£. Labarraque's solution 

of chlorinated soda 1 ounce. 

Water 1 quart. 

For articles of clothing : 

84. Boil in a solution of one ounce 
of permanganate of potassium in three 
gallons of water. 

A good deodorizer for privies, water- 
closets, etc. : 

85. One pound of sulphate of iron 
(common copperas) dissolved in a gal- 
lon of water. 

Or, 



86. ^. Sulphate of zinc. . 4 ouncea 

Salt 2 " 

Water 1 gallon. 

87. 3. Thymol 6 grains. 

Boracic acid 30 u 

Oil of eucalyptus. 4 drops. 
Oil of wintergreen 1 drop. 

Alcohol 4 drachms. 

Glycerine 4 *' 

Water to make. . . 1 pint. 
Suitable for general use externally 
and internally (in doses of one tea- 
spoonful) . Pleasant as a mouth wash, 
nasal douche, throat spray, or wash 
for ulcers, sores, boils, etc. 

Dropsy. 

88. ^. Tine, digitalis 1 ounce. 

Tine, hyoscyamus £ u 

Nitre 3 drachms. 

Fl. ext. Scutellaria 2J ounces. 
Dose of the mixture, a teaspoonf ul 
every three hours. 

Drunkenness. 
(To tone up the system, and blunt 
the appetite for liquor.) 

89. B. Tine, nux vomica.. 1 drachm. 

Tine, gentian comp. 2 ounces. 
Tine, calumbo comp. 2 l * 
One teaspoonf ul before meals as an 
appetizer. 

Or, 

90. ^. Tine, capsicum 1 drachm. 

Tine, nux vomica . . 1 " 
. Dilute nitric acid . . 1 " 

Water 6 ounces. 

Dose. — One fluid ounce or two table- 
spoonfuls three times a day. 

Dysentery. 

91. $. Table salt 4 drachms. 

Baking soda 4 " 

Water 1 pint. 

Dose. — A wineglassful every two 
hours. 

92. For dysenteric diarrhoea in chil- 
dren, try one drop every hour, in wa- 
ter, of the wine of ipecac. 

93. ]£. Carbolic acid 10 drops. 

Syrup rhubarb arom. 1 ounce. 

Oil of lemon 5 drops. 

Oil of sassafras 5 w< 

Dose. — (For adults.) One teaspoon- 
f ul every three hours. 



APPENDIX. 



923 



94 9. Oil of turpentine .... 5 drops. 

Fl. ext. of witch hazel 5 " 
These ten drops of the mixture on 
sugar twice a day, night and morning. 

Earache. 

95 $. Oil of sassafras.. .20 drops. 

Glycerine 2 drachms. I 

Olive-oil 1 ounce. 

A few drops iu the canal of the ear, 
and a bit of cotton to retain it. 

9ti. I£. Camphor 1 drachm. 

Chloral hydrate 1 " 

Glycerine 2 ouuces. 

Oil of almonds ... . 1J lk 

97. Try a pinch of black pepper on 
a bit of cotton, dipped in sweet oil 
and placed in the ear canal. 

Eczema. 

For dry eczema of the scalp, Dr. 
Piffard recommends a few drops (rub- 
bed in gently) of the following mix- 
ture : 

99. I£. Salicylic acid 20 grains. 

Oil of lavender. . . 3£ drachms. 

Oil of citron J drachm. 

Oil of pini sylves- 

tris 2 ounces. 

Oil of castor 1 J u 

For eczema of the face : 

100. 5. Hydrargyrum am- 

moniatum 5 grains. 

Sulphur 10 " 

Petrolatum 1 ounce. 

Apply as a salve once daily. 

Erysipelas. 

101. Among simple measures that 
prove useful are the local application 
of a poultice of cranberries. 

Or, 

102. Of cloths saturated with one 
drachm of borax in an ounce of gly- 
cerine. 

Eye- Water for inflamed and granu- 
lated lids : 



104. I*. Sulphate of cop- 
per 10 grains. 

Sulphate of zinc. 40 u 

Rose-water 2 pints. 

Tine, saffron 4 drachms. 

Tine, camphor.. 4 " 
Mix and filter. 

Fainting, or threatened collapse 
from overheating, overwork, mental 
shock, etc.: 

105. Lay the patient horizontal, 
with head low, and free the clothing 
to facilitate breathing and hand rub- 
bing. For stimulant use aromatic 
spirits of amnioxiin, one-half to one 
teaspoonf ul in water, administered by 
the mouth. 

Or, 

106. ^. Chloroform 1 drachm. 

Lavender water . . 7 drachms. 
Dose. — A teaspoonf ul. 

Fevers. — A suitable thermometer 
placed under the tongue, with the 
mouth closed about the instrument, 
shows, in man, that the 

Normal temperature is. . 98.4°. 

Feverishness varies from 99 to 100°. 

Slight fever " 100 " 101°. 

Moderate fever u 102 " 103°. 

High fever " 103 " 105°. 

Intense fever " 105 u 107°. 

One degree rise in temperature cor- 
responds generally with an increase of 
ten beats of the pulse. The normal 
pulse is about 70 per minute (adults), 
and the respiration about 18 times per 
minute. Pulse, respiration, and tem- 
perature rise in proportion to fever. 

Fever Mixtures. 

107. 5. Potassium citrate 1 drachm. 

Sweet spirits nitre 5 drachms 
Syrup of lemon. .. 5 tk 
Liquor ammonium 

acetate 2 ounces. 

Dose. — One teaspoonf ul every two 
hours, for a child three years of age ; 
older persons, in proportion of ten 
drops more for each year added. 



10*3. 



Q. Sulphate hydrastia. 2 grains 
Water 1 ounce. 



108. I£. Tine, aconite 15 drops. 

Water 2 ounces. 

Apply by spray or soft cloth once Dose. — (For adults.) One teaspoon- 
daily, ful every four hours. 



924 



APPENDIX. 



109. 1>. Asclepias tuber osa 1 drachm. 

Skullcap 1 

Lobelia 1 scruple . 

Capsicum 5 grains. 

Infuse in one pint of boiling water, 
and give one tablespoonful as a mild 
febrifuge to allay fever. 

Flatulence : Wind on stomach, 
belching. For adults : 

110. #. Tine, valerian... 2 drachms. 

Ether 1 drachm. 

Ammonium car- 
bonate 1 " 

Cinnamon water. 2 ounces. 

Water , 2 

Dose. — One tablespoonful, and re- 
peat in fifteen minutes, if necessary. 

Or, 

111. B. Myrrh 40 grains. 

Capsicum 20 " 

Make ten pills; one after meals, as 
required. 

Or, 

112. ^. Tine, rhubarb 1 drachm. 

Bicarb, soda 1 " 

Ess. peppermint . . 1 " 

Water 4 ounces. 

Dose. — One tablespoonful every 
hour. 

Fetid Feet. — Use a wash of 

113. 5. Permanganate of 

potassium 12 grains. 

Water 1 ounce. 

Or, 

114. 1$. Alum 1 drachm. 

Boracic acid 1 " 

Water 2 ounces. 

Every other evening apply with soft 

sponge, right after removing stockings, 

while feet are moist. 

Or, dust into the stockings a pow- 
der composed of 

115. I£. Carbolic acid 10 grains. 

Salicylic acid .... 10 u 
Burnt alum pow- 
der 1 drachm. 

Starch 2 ounces. 

French chalk .... 1 ounce. 

Lemon oil 20 drops. 

XJsef ul also for sweaty hands. 



Frost Bites. 
116. fy. Oilcajeput,* .... 4 drachma 

Chloroform 3 " 

Tine, cantharides 3 *' 
Oil cotton seed to 

make 8 ounces. 

Apply to frosted parts on soft cloths 

117. Enclose the part in raw cotton 
soaked in castor-oil. 

Hair Tonics. 

118. I£. Castor-oil 2 ounces. 

Tine, cantharides 4 drachms. 
Oil bergamot. . . .20 drops. 
Carbonate of am- 
monium 1 drachm. 

Bay rum 4 ounces. 

119. 9. Tine, arnica 1 drachm. 

Tine, cantharides 2 drachms. 
Water of ammonia 4 M 

Bay rum 5 ounces. 

Alcohol 5 " 

Water 5 u 

120. $. Sulphate of qui- 

nine J drachm. 

Tine, cantharides 1 " 
Aromatic spirits 

ammonia 1 ounce. 

Castor-oil 1 \ ounces. 

Rosemary-oil 10 drops. 

Bay rum 5J ounces . 

Hair Restoratives. — All proprie- 
tary hair restoratives contain f torn one 
to five grains of lead to thj ounce, 
and, by constant use, are very liable 
to bring about lead poisoning The 
following dye contains lo injurious 
ingredient : 

121. ^. Hulls of butternuts 4 0'inc< s. 

Water 1 quart. 

Make an infusion, and add a i o;mce 
of copperas (sulphate of iron). Apply 
two or three times a week w^tli as fi 
old brush. 

Headache, from acid, fermenting 
stomach : 

122. Powdered charcoal, one tea- 
spoonful in a cup of water. 

(Charcoal tablets are a cleaner and 
more convenient form.) 

123. For nervous or rheumatic head* 
ache, or that at beginning of a men- 
strual period, try ten drops of fluid 
extract of cimicif uga, and repeat the 
dose every half-hour for three hours.. 



APPENDIX. 



925 



For nervous headache : 

l'-4. 1$. Elixir valerianate 

of ammonium.. 2 ounces. 
Sodium bromide.. 4 drachms. 

Dose. — One teaspoonf ul in wineglass 
of water, and repeat in an hour, if 
necessary. 

Head Wash, for cases of fever with 
congestion, headache, and throbbing : 

125. I}. Alcohol 1 pint. 

Water 3 pints. 

Heart Disease. 

126. Three golden rules : 

Take exercise, without fatigue, 
Nutrition, without stimulation, 
Amusement, without excitement. 

Hoarsenfss. — To clear the voice : 

127. ^. Powdered liquor- 
ice root 4 drachms. 

Balsam copaiba. .3 " 
Beeswax 2 " 

Make into pills of three grains 
weight each, and use two or three 
daily. 

12S. Dissolve a lump of borax in 
the mouth. 

129. Ifc. Benzoic acid 6 grains. 

Red currant paste 2 drachms. 
Make twelve troches. 

Dose. — One every hour or two. — Dr. 
Mohell Mackenzie. 

Hysteria. 

130. $. Fluid extract vale- 

rian 1 ounce. 

Fluid extract sum- 
bul J " 

Tine, castorei 4 drachms 

Spirits chloroform 3 u 
Syrup aurant.cort. 3 " 

Dose. — One teaspoonf ul frequently 
repeated. 

Influenza. 

131. I£. Tine, cubebs 1 drachm. 

Linseed tea 1 pint. 

Take as a drink on retiring. 



Itching. 

132. 5. Sulphur 1 ounce. 

Fluid extract hy- 

drastis 1 drachm. 

Fluid extract ham- 

amelis 1 u 

Vaseline 6 ounces. 

Bathe with warm soap and water, 
and thm apply the ointment once 
every other day. 

For itching of the skin, without 
eruption, or about the privates : 

133. ^. Hyposulphite so- 

dium 4 drachms. 

Glycerine 2 " 

Water 4 ounces. 

Use as a wash. 

134. Take a warm bath, adding a 
handful of borax and the same amount 
of bi-carbonate of soda, to about 
thirty gallons of water. 

135. ^. Carbolic acid 2 drachms. 

Glycerine 1 drachm. 

Rose water 8 ounces . 

Apply with a sponge. 

136. For itching about the anus try 
local application of balsam of Peru. 

137. For itching of urticaria (heat 
rash and dyspepsia), try two to ten 
grains of menthol in an ounce of 
water, sponging with it. 

For itching of winter eczema : 

138. IJ. Tannic acid 1 drachm. 

Glycerine 6 drachms. 

Alcohol 6 " 

Water, to make 6 ounces. 
Used as a wash. 
Pregnancy. — To relieve the pains, 
aches, disquietudes, and nervousness 
common in pregnancy. 

139. P. Ext. hyoscyamus 1 drachm. 

Ext. juglan 7 drachms. 

Oil sassafras J drachm. 

Sodium bicarbon- 
ate 2 drachms. 

Simple syrup .... J pint. 
Dose. — A teaspoonf ul four times a 
day, or double that dose, as required 
to keep the bowels moving well. 

Ivy Poisoning. 
140. Bathe the inflamed surfaces 
with a decoction of oak-leaves, of bone- 
s-t, or of hemlock boughs. Or» 



92G 



APPENDIX. 






141. A saturated solution of chlorate 
of potassium, or of bicarbonate of so- 
dium. Or, 

142. Apply glycerite of tannin, or 
oil of sassafras to the eruption. 

Or, 

143. I£. Carbolic acid 1 drachm. 

Strong ammonia 

water £ drachm. 

Olive oil 3 ounces. 

Applied on soft cloths. 

144. 1$. Salicylic acid 1 drachm. 

Olive oil 2 ounces. 

For external use. 

Lice. 

145. A safe and good wash for chil- 
dren's heads consists simply of a tea 
or decoction of quassia wood chips. 

146. Tine, staphisagria, only as a 
Wash, with care. 

Lumbago. 

147. Try the essence of spruce in 
teaspoonful doses three or four times 
daily. 

148. For external use nothing equals 
Dr. Foote's Magnetic Ointment, 
though the fluid or lotion pain killers 
listed further on are all applicable. 

Man. — How to make a man of the 
ultimate elements of which he iscom- 



149. I£. Oxygen 97 pounds. 

Carbon 48 u 

Hydrogen 15 " 

Nitrogen 4 u 

Calcium 3 u 

Chlorine 26 ounces. 

Fluorine o^" kt 

Phosphorus 26 4 * 

Sulphur.., 2% «* 

Potassium 2 " 

Sodium 2}i " 

Iron X% " 

Mix well and add life. 

Malaria. 

150. To ward it off, take a whole 
lemon, cut in slices, boil in three 
glassf uls of water down to one glass- 
ful, which take during one day. 

Menstruation, Tardy. 

151. Try a tablespoonful of black 
mustard-seed in milk at bed-time. 



152. For " painful periods," try half 
teaspoonful doses of fluid extract of 
witchhazel, in sweetened water, three 
times a day. 

153. For "painful periods," try an 
infusion of life everlasting (gnaph- 
alium) flowers, one-half ounce of the 
flowers in one-half pint of hot water. 
Divide the tea or infusion in four 
parts ; take the first dose of one-fourth 
at first symptom of distress, and the 
remaining parts one every three hours. 
—J. T. McShane, M.D. 

Mouth Wash, or Gargles. 

154. I£. Borax 2 drachms. 

Powdered myrrh . 1 drachm. 
Water 4 ounces. 

155. I£. Powdered borax.. 1 ounce. 

Honey of rose. . . 2 ounces. 
Infusion of roses. 6 u 

156. 1$. Tannin 2 drachms. 

Alcohol 1 drachm. 

Camphor water. . 4 ounces. 
One tablespoonful in water for gar- 
gle. 
Or, 

157. Glycerite of tannin, a table- 
spoonful to a cup of water. 

Nausea of Pregnancy. 

158. V P . Ingluvin 24 grains. 

Oxalate cerium ..24 u 
Make six powders, and take one in 
water every four hours. 
Or, 

159. I£. Columbo root . . . . jounce. 

Ginger root % u 

Senna leaves 1 drachm. 

Boiling water 1 pint. 

Make an infusion, and take a wine- 
glassful before each meal. 
Or, 

160. ^. Oxalate of cerium.. 1 gram. 

Ipecac 1 M 

Creosote 2 drops. 

Or, 
161. Eat pop-corn ; chew well. 

Nervousness. 

162. I£. Tine, scullcap 1 ounce. 

Tine, valerian 1 " 

Tine, hyoscyamus.. 1 *• 
Spirits lavender ... . 1 " 
Dose. — One teaspoonful three times 
3 day. 



APPESDIX. 



m 



163. 9. Fl. ext. cypripedium 1 ounoe. 
Fl. ext. asclepias tu- 

berosa. 1 u 

FL ext. skunk cab- 
bage 1 " 

FL ext. scullcap. . . . 1 " 
Dose. — One-half to one teaspoonful 
three times a day. 

Neuralgia of the Stomach. 
1*>4. Take a tablespoonful of black 
mustard- seed before meals. Moisten 
well with saliva before attempting to 
swallow the seeds. 

165. Tine, nux vomica,, one-drop 
doses every half hour. 

Neuralgia, for external use as an 
anodyne : 

166. I£ . Chloroform 1 ounce. 

Camphor 1 ' k 

Chloral hydrate .... 1 ll 

For internal administration: 

167. I£. Ammonium car- 

bonate 5 grains. 

Ammonium chlo- 
ride... 20 " 

Peppermint water 7 drachms. 

Mucilage 1 drachm. 

Mix and take in one dose. 
168. Try internally a tea of common 
field thistle (leaves), and externally a 
poultice of the same. 

Night Sweats of Phthisis (Con- 
sumption). 
Sponge the surface of body with : 
169. 5. Chloral hydrate . . 2 drachms. 

Alcohol 3 ounces. 

Water 3 " 

Or, 

173. I£. Quinine muriate .. . 5 grains. 

Water 1 pint. 

Lotion for a sponge-bath. 

Nipple Ointment for sore, inflamed, 
or cracked nipples. — Cazeaux. 

171. 3. White wax 4} ounces. 

Oil of sweet al- 
monds 1 ounce. 

Clarified honey, h 

Balsam Peru... 2\ drachms. 

172. Dr. Foote's Magnetic Ointment 
is unsurpassed in affections of breasts 
and nipples. 



Nose-bleed. 

173. Snuff powdered alum up the 
nostrils. Cork up the nostrils with 
soft tissue paper. 

174. For scaly condition of nasal 
mucous membrane predisposing to 
bleeding, use Dr. Foote's Magnetic 
Catarrh Balm — cleansing, softening, 
and healing. 

Pain Killers, for external use: 

175. ^. Myrrh gum 1 ounce. 

Capsicum 2 drachms. 

Opium gum 1 drachm. 

Guaiac 1 M 

Camphor 8 drachms. 

Alcohol 1 pint. 

Mix thoroughly. 

176. I£. Wintergreen oil. 

Soap liniment. 
Mix equal parts. 

177. I£. Camphor % ounce. 

Oil turpentine 1 drachm. 

Oil peppermint }.< " 

Oil wintergreen.. . % u 
Tine, capsicum. . . }4 ounce. 
Alcohol to make . . 1 pint. 
Often put up and sold as "Indian 
Oil." 

178. I£. Oil of sassafras.. 2 ounces. 

Ollof olives 2 ifc 

Camphor 2 " 

Chloroform 2 " 

Capsicum 1 drachm. 

Spirits of turpen- 
tine 12 ounces. 

Dissolve the camphor in chloroform, 
add the oils, and lastly the capsicum 
and spirits of turpentine. 

179. 5. Tine, capsicum... 1 drachm. 

Oil origanum .... J£ ounce. 

Oil sassafras }.< 

Oil pennyroyal . . . }{ 

Oil hemlock j| *■ 

Alcohol 1 quart 

A handy and efficient one : 

180. 1£. Red pepper 1 drachm. 

Salt } o ounce. 

Vinegar 1 " 

Water 1 M 

Pruritus Vulvje, itching of the 
privates. 

181. Try a sponge soaked in boiling 
water. , 

182. Try linseed-oil, locally. 



928 



APPENDIX. 



183. Ijfc. Carbolic ac'd.... 1 drachm. 

Boracic acid .... 2 drachms. 
Morphia sulphate 10 grains. 

Petrolatum 2 ounces. 

Apply as a salve. — Dr. W. Goodell. 

For Pruritus of pregnancy : 

184. JJ. Thymol 15 grains. 

Petrolatum 30 "A 

P®wdered brick 

clay 3 ounces. 

For local use. — Dr. M. A. Pallen. 

Rat Poison. 

185. Rat poisons are said to be com- 
posed of white arsenic mixed with 
corn meal and lampblack. 

186. Peppermint scattered in the 
resorts of rats makes them quit in dis- 
gust. 

Rheumatism, Acute. 

187. Try application to painful part 
of brown paper steeped in vinegar. 
Or, 

188. A flannel cloth wrung out in 
vinegar, and placing it over the af- 
fected muscles, press over the flannel 
with a hot flat-iron. 

189. $. Tine, black co- 
hosh 2 drachms. 

Tine, colchicum 

seeds 2 * 4 

Tine. gelsemi- 

num 2 u 

Sweet spirits of 

nitre 10 " 

Essence winter- 
green 2 '• 

Simple syrup ... 8 ounces. 
Dose. — One to two teaspoonfuls 
every four hours, in inflammatory 
rheumatism. 

An agreeable alkaline drink for use 
once in two or three hours, in acute 
rheumatism, is made by combining 
the two following mixtures, or solu- 
tions, which effervesce when combined 
—to be taken while effervescing : 

490. I£. Potassium carbon- 
ate 30 grains. 

Water 3 ounces. 

To be mixed with 

Citric acid 25 grains. 

Water 3 ounces. 

Dose.— The whole > when combined. 



Ring-worm. 

Wash with soft soap, and apply a lo- 
tion of 

191. I£. Iodine 10 grains. 

Turpentine 1 ounce. 

193. I£. Sodium hyposul- 
phite 1 drachm. 

Water 1 ounce. 

Use as a lotion to the part. 

193. ^. Chryso p h a n i c 

acid 1 drachm. 

Petrolatum 10 drachms. 

For local use as a salve, and para- 
siticide. 

194. ^. Calomel 1 drachm. 

Tinct. iodine 1 ounce. 

Paint the ring- worm with this solu- 
tion, using cameFs-hair brush. 

195. I£. Boracic acid 1 drachm. 

Water 1 ounce. 

Apply freely and let it dry on. 

Sick-headache. 

196. Try a cup of strong catnip tea, 
and repeat in two hours, if not relieved 
sooner. 

197. Dr. Foote's Magnetic Vegeta- 
ble Anti-bilious Pills are generally a 
specific for sick-headaches. 

Small-pox. 

198. Two tablespoonf uls of common 
vinegar, with or without water, taken 
twice daily, one hour after breakfast, 
and again toward evening, is highly 
recommended as a prophylactic (pre- 
ventive) against small-pox. 



Soothing Syrup without Opiate. 

199. ^. Peppermint-water 5 drachms. 
Tine, gold thread. 1 drachm. 
Tine. Virginia 

snake-root 2 drachms. 

Syrnp orange peel 1 ounce. 

Dose. — For a two-year-old child, 
one-half a teaspoon ful, repeated two 
or three time? in an hour, if necessary 
—Dr. A. T. Haley. 



APPENDIX. 



929 



Spavtbt Cure (probably as good as 
any). 

200. $. Camphor 21 drachms. 

Oil turpentine . . 30 " 
Oil rosemary ... 1 drachm. 

Water 39 drachms. 

Iodine 5 44 

Alcohol 21 ounces. 

Dissolve the iodine and oils in the 
alcohol before adding the water. 

Squibb's Compound Rhubarb 
Mixture, for children's stomach- 
aches with fermentation, foul breath, 
etc. 

201. r£. Fl. ext. rhubarb. 1 drachm. 

Fl. ext. ipecac. 15 drops. 
Bicarbonate so- 
dium 2 drachms. 

Glycerine 3 ounces. 

Peppermint-wa- 
ter 4 ounces. 

Dose. — One-half to one teaspoonful 
two or three times daily. 

Tape -worm Router. 

202. I£. Male fern extract 1 J drachms 

Kamala powder. . 2 il 

Mucilage gum 

arabic 2 " 

Cinnamon-water 

to make 3 ounces. 

Mix and take one-half the mixture 
at bed time, and the remainder the 
next morning. 

Tonsillitis* 

203. Give 15 drops of ammoniated 
tincture of guaiac every four hours. 

204. Moisten the finger with water, 
dip it in powdered bicarbonate of soda, 
and touch this gently to the tonsils ; 
repeat every five minutes for half an 
hour, and then only once an hour. 

Tooth Wash, like sozodont, to be 
used with the brush : 

805. I>. Venetian soap.. 4 drachms. 

Glycerine 4 " 

Alcohol 14 u 

Water 8 %l 

Peppermint oil . 1 drachm. 

Anise oil 32 drops. 

Cinnamon oil... 16 tk 
Clove oil 4 " 



Tooth Powder, to make 1 ounce : 

206. I£. Boracic acid 40 grains. 

Chlorate of potas- 
sium 30 " 

Resin guaiac 20 " 

Prepared chalk. . 60 u 

Ca-r bonate of mag- 
nesium 330 u 

207. ]£. Pulv. castile soap 4 drachms. 

Pulv. pumice- 
stone % drachm. 

Pulv. prepared 

chalk 8 drachms. 

Oils wintergreen 

and sassafras o to 5 drops. 
Very largely used. 

Toothache. 

208. Oil of cloves, or oil of cajeput, 
on lint, in the hollow of the tooth. 

209. Chew cinnamon bark. 

Whooping-cough. 

210. Five-drop doses of tincture of 
eucalyptus three times a day, as an 
internal medicine. 

211. 9. Ammonium bro- 
mide 1 drachm. 

Tine belladonna..)^ fc< 
Mixture liquorice 

comp 1 ounce. 

Syrup of tolu 2 ounces. 

Dose. — A teaspoonful every three 
hours for a child of five years. 

212. Drop oil of turpentine on the 
pillow where its vapors will be inhaled 
by the patient, and during distressing, 
convulsive cough hold a handkerchief 
wet with 15 or 20 drops before the 
child's face. 

210. Try oxalate of cerium, once a 
day, before breakfast, in doses of % 
grain, for a child of one year, up to 
five grains for one of seven years; 
more especially useful in second stage 
of spasmodic cough. 

Warts. — Constitutional treatment : 

214. B. Epsom salts in three-grain 
doses, twice daily. 

Or, 

215. I£. Tine, thuja occidentalis. 
Dose. — Half a teaspoonful thn* 

times a day. 



930 



APPENDIX. 



Locally, that is, externally : 

216. Try a mixture of equal parts of 
glacial acetic acid and iodine, applied 
with earners hair brush night and 
morning, avoiding touching the healthy 
skin. 

Worms: Pin Worms. 

217. R. Quassia , 2 drachms. 

Acid salicylic 10 grains. 

Water 1 pint. 

Use as an injection once daily. 

To Expel Bound Worms. 

218. R. Santonin 16 grains. 

Fluid extract senna. . 1 ounce. 
Fluid extract spige- 
lia 1 " 



One small teaspoonf ul of the mixture 
by the mouth to a child of five years, 
at bed time, or half the dose to younger 
children. 

A Popular Vermifuge. 

219. R. Wormseed 2 ounces. 

Valerian \% " 

Rhubarb \% " 

Pink-root 1% " 

White agaric 1% " 

Boil in three quarts of water, and 
add 

Oil of tansy 30 drops. 

Oil of cloves 45 

Dose. — A teaspoonful three times 
daily. 



APPEF-JIX. 931 



ANTIDOTES FOR POISONS. 

This schedule is based on a paper by John S. Dunn, Ph.C, read 
before the Michigan State Pharmaceutical Association. It is the 
recommendation of Dr. A. B. Lyons, O. Eberbach, G. W. Stringer, 
a committee to whom Mr. Dunn's paper was referred. The re- 
port in full will be found in the Pharmaceutical Record, 1886, pp. 
88, 89. 

Group 1. — Acids Acetic; Muriatic; Nitric; Nitro -muriatic ; Sul- 
phuric. 

Group 1. — Give no emetic. Give at once large draughts of 
water (or milk) with chalk, whiting, magnesia, or baking soda ; or 
give strong soap-suds, to neutralize acid ; olive -oil, white of egg, 
beaten up with water, and later, mucilaginous drinks of flaxseed 
or slippery elm, are useful. Give laudanum (20 drops), if much 
pain. 
Group 2. — Acid, Carbolic; Creosote; Eesorcine. 

Group 2. — Promote vomiting with warm water containing baking 
soda, or cause it with mustard (a tablespoonful stirred to a cream 
with water). Give white of egg beaten up with water, or olive- 
oil (a cupful) ; stimulants (whiskey, etc.) freely ; warmth and 
friction to the extremities. 

Group 3. — Antimony, salts of ; Cantharides, Colchicum, Elatei % ium, 
Iodine, and their preparations ; Copper, salts of; Mercury, salts 
of; Oils of Croton, Savin, and Tansy; Potassium Bichromate; 
Tin, muriate of; Zinc, salts of. 

Group 3. — Give white of eggs (£ dozen or more, raw), or flour 
mixed with water. Promote vomiting with warm water contain- 
ing baking soda, or cause it with mustard (a tablespoonful stirred 
to a cream with water). Give strong tea or coffee; stimulants, if 
needed ; laudanum (20 drops)^ if much pain ; demulcent drinks of 
flaxseed or slippery elm. 
Group 4. — Caustic Alkalies, and Ammonia. 

Group 4. — Promote vomiting by large draughts of warm water. 
Give vinegar or diluted lemon-juice ; olive-oil ; the whites of 
eggs beaten up with water ; gruel, or demulcent drinks of flax- 
seed, or slippery elm ; laudanum (20 drops), if much pain, 



932 APPENDIX. 

Group 5. — Cannabis Indica and its preparations ; Morphine and its 
salts ; Opium and its preparations {except paregoric). 
Group 5. — Give emetic (if necessary) of mustard (a tablespoon- 
ful stirred to a cream with water), followed by large draughts of 
warm water. Then strong tea or coffee. Arouse the patient, and 
keep him awake and in motion. Keep up artificial respiration 
even after life seems to be extinct. 

Group 6. — Acid Hydrocyanic (prussic) and all Cyanides ; Alcohol ; 
Benzine; Benzole; Camphor; Carbon Bisulphide; Chloral 
Hydrate ; Chloroform ; Ether ; Oil of Bitter Almond ; Oil of 
Mirbane ; Sulphur ets of the Alkalies. 

Group 6. — If necessary, give emetic of mustard (a tablespoonful 
stirred to a cream with water). Let patient have plenty of fresh 
air ; maintain a horizontal position. Keep the body warm, but try 
to rouse patient by ammonia to nostrils, cold douche to head, fric- 
tion and mustard plasters to limbs, etc. Use artificial respiration. 
Group 7. — Aconite, Aconitine, Cotton Root, Digitalis, Ergot, Lobelia, 
Tobacco, Veratrum [Hellebore), Veratrine, and all preparations 
containing any of the foregoing articles. 
Group 7. — Give emetic of mustard (a tablespoonful stirred to a 
cream with water), followed by large draughts of warm water. 
Give strong tea or coffee, with powdered charcoal ; stimulants 
(whiskey, etc.) freely ; warmth to the extremities ; keep the patient 
in a horizontal position ; use artificial respiration persistently. 
Group 8. — Atropine and its salts; all preparations containing 
Belladonna, Calabar Bean, Gelsemium [Yellow Jasmine), Hem- 
lock [Conium), Henbane, Jaborandi, Pilocarpine and its salts, 
Santonine, Stavesacre Seed, Stramonium. 
Group 8. — Give emetic of mustard (a tablespoonful stirred to a 
cream with water), followed by large draughts of warm water ; give 
strong tea or coffee, with powdered charcoal ; stimulants (whiskey, 
etc.) if necessary ; rouse the patient if drowsy ; heat and friction 
to extremities ; artificial respiration. 

Group 9. — Cocculus Indicus ; Nuk, Vomica and its preparations ; 

Strychnine and its salts. 

Group 9. — Give emetic of mustard (a tablespoonful stirred to 

,a cream with water) , followed by large draughts of warm water. 

Give powdered charcoal, iodide of starch, or tannin. To relieve 



APPENDIX. 933 

spasms let the patient inhale pure chloroform, or give chloral hy- 
drate (25 grains), or potassium bromide (J ounce). Lose no time. 
Group 10. — Arsenic and all its compounds ; Cobalt (arsenical Jly- 
potcder). 

Group 10. — Promote vomiting with varm water, or cause it 
wih mustard (a tablespoonful stirred to a cream with water).. 
Procure at once from a drug store, hydrated oxide of iron, and 
give a cupful of it (or mix a teaspoon ful of calcined magnesia with 
a cup of water, add three teaspoonfuls of tincture of iron, mix 
well, and give the whole of it). Follow with olive oil, or whites of 
eggs (raw) and mucilaginous drinks. Laudanum (20 drops), if 
much pain. 
Group 11. — Oxalic Acid and its salts. 

Group 11.- Give chalk or whiting (a tablespoonful), or'even air- 
slacked lime (a teaspoonful in fine powdej ) mixed with two table- 
spoonfuls of vinegar (do not give soda or potash to neutralize the 
acid). Promote vomiting by large draughts of w T ater, or cause tfc 
wi:h mustard (a tablespoonful stirred to a cream with water). 
Give olive oil and mucilaginous drinks ; stimulants (whiskey, etc.) 
and warmth to extremities. 
Group 12. — Barium, salts of ; Lead, salts of. 

Group 12. — Give Epsom salt (\ ounce) or Glauber's salt (1 ounce) 
dissolved in a tumbler of water. Promote vomiting by w T arm 
water, or cause it with mustard (a teasjDOonful stirred to a cream 
with water). Give milk, demulcent drinks of flaxseed or slippery 
elm, and laudanum (20 drops), if much pain. 
Gi.oup 13. — Silver, nitrate of 

Group 13. — Give common salt (a tablespoonful dissolved in a 
tumbler of warm water) ; then an emetic of mustard (a table- 
spoonful stirred to a cream with water), followed by large draughts 
of warm water. Later, give gruel, arrow-root, or demulcent 
drinks of flaxseed or slippery elm. 
GROUP 14. — Phosphorus (rat-paste). 

Group 14. — Give an emetic of mustard (a tablespoonful stirred to 
a cream with w 7 ater), or better, of blue vitriol, 3 grains every five 
minutes, until vomiting occurs. Give a teaspoonful of old, thick 
oil of turpentine ; also, Epsom salt (£ ounce in a tumbler of water*. 
Do not give oil, except the turpentine, 



934: APPENDIX. 



RULES FOR RESUSCITATING OR SAVING THE LIFE 
OF THE DROWNED ADOPTED BY THE HEALTH 
DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 

Remember that the patient must be treated instantly, and on the 
spot where rescued. He must be freely exposed to the open air ; 
loosen the clothing so as to freely expose the neck and chest. 
All persons not needed for saving him should avoid crowding 
about. 

1. Let the throat and mouth be cleansed by placing the patient 
gently, face downward, with one of his wrists under his forehead. 
Quickly wipe and cleanse the mouth, and if the patient does not 
breathe, immediately begin the following movements : 

2. Posture. — Place the patient on his back, with shoulders 
raised, and supported easily on a folded coat or some kind of 
pillow. 

3. To Keep up a Free Entrance of Air into the Windpipe. 
— Let one person at the patient's head, grasp the tongue gently 
and firmly with his fingers, covered with a bit of handkerchief, 
and draw it out beyond the lips; then either hold it or press 
the under jaw (chin) up so as to retain the tongue protruding 
from the mouth ; but it is better to hold it in that position with 
the hand. 

These engravings show how to give breath to a person rescued 

' from the water and apparently dead. The posture in which the 

patient is to be laid (face down and wrist under the forehead) for 

a moment, as soon as he is taken out of the water, is not shown 

here. [See 1st Rule.] 

The movements here shown for one side of the patient must 
be made on both sides, by two persons working together. 

These figures show how one of the two men works. 

Figure 1 shows the long and strong pull, for opening the chest 
to let fresh air in. 

Figure 2 shows how to make the strong side and front pressure 
to drive the air out of the lungs. 

Figure 3 shows how tlie tongue is to be held. 



APPENDIX. 



935 



4. To Produce and Imitate the Movements of Breathing.— 
Eaise the patient's extended arms upward to the sides of his head, 




and then pull them steadily, firmly, slowly, outward. Next turn 
down the elbows by the patient's side, and bring the arms closely 




and firmly across the pit of the stomach, and press them and the 
sides and front of the chest gently but strongly for a moment, 
then quickly begin to repeat the first movement. 



936 APPENDIX* 

5. Let these two kinds of movements be made very deliberately 
and without ceasing until the patient breathes, and let the two 
movements be repeated about twelve or fifteen times in a minute, 
but not more rapidly, remembering that to thoroughly fill the 
lungs with air is the object of the first, or upward and outward, 
movement, and to expel as much air as possible is the object of 
the second, or downward, motion and pressure. This artificial 
respiration should be steadily kept up for forty minutes or more, 
when the patient appears not to breathe ; and after the natural 
breathing begins, let the same motion be very gently continued, 
and let the proper stimulants be given in the intervals. 

What Else is to be Done, and What is Not to be Done 
while the Movements are Being Made. 

If help and blankets are at hand, have the body stripped, 
wrapped in blankets, but do not allow the movements to be stopped. 
Bystanders can supply dry clothing. And the assistants should 
briskly rub the feet and legs, pressing them firmly and rubbing 
upward, while the movements of the arms and chest are going on. 
Apply hartshorn or a feather within the nostrils occasionally, and 
sprinkle or lightly dash cold water upon the face and neck. The 
legs and feet should be rubbed and wrapped in hot blankets, if 
blue or cold, or if the weather is cold. 

What to Do when the Patient Begins to Breathe. 

Give brandy by the teaspoonful or hot sling two or three times 
a minute, until the beating of the pulse can be felt at the wrist, 
but be careful and not give more of the stimulant than is neces- 
sary. Warmth should be kept up in the feet and legs, and as soon 
as the patient breathes naturally, let him be carefully removed to 
a house, and be placed in bed under medical care. 



APPENDIX. 937 



THE CARE OF BABIES. 

We can cheerfully commend the following thirteen rules — is- 
sued under the auspices of the French Academy of Medicine — for 
i he care of infants : 

1. During the first year the only suitable nourishment for an in- 
fant is its own mother's milk, or that of a healthy wet-nurse. 
Suckling should be repeated every two hours— less frequently at 

Light. 

2. When ifc is impossible to give breast milk, either from the 
mother or a suitable nurse, cow's or goat's milk given tepid, re- 
duced at first one-half by the addition of water slightly sweetened, 
and after a few weeks one-fourth only, is the next best substi- 
tute. 

3. In giving milk to an infant always use glass or earthenware 
vessels, not metallic ones, and always observe the most scrupulous 
cleanliness in their management, rinsing whenever used. Always 
avoid the use of teats of cloth or sponge, so frequently employed 
to appease hunger or quiet crying. 

4. Never forget that artificial nourishment, whether by nursing 
bottle or spoon (without the breast), increases to an alarming de- 
gree the chances of producing sickness and death. 

5. It is always dangerous to give an infant, especially during 
the first two months of its life, solid food of any kind — such as 
bread, cakes, meats, vegetables, or fruit. 

6. Only after the seventh month, and when the mother's milk is 
not sufficient to nourish the child, should broths be allowed 
After the first year is ended, then ifc is appropriate to give broth 
or paps made with milk and bread, dried flour, rice, and the fari- 
naceous articles, to prepare for weaning. A child ought not to be 
weaned until it has cut its first twelve or thirteen teeth, and then 
only when in perfect health. 

7. A child should be washed and dressed every morning, before 
being nursed or fed. In bathing a child, temper the water to the 
weather, carefully cleanse the body, and especially the genital or- 
gins, which require great cleanliness and care ; and the head 
should be carefully freed from all scabs and crusts which may 



938 APPENDIX. 

form. Where the belly-band is used, it should be kept on for at 
least one month. 

8. An infant's clothing should always be so arranged as to leave 
the limbs freedom of motion, and not to compress any portion of 
the body. 

9. An infant's clothing should always be studiously adapted to 
the weather, avoiding at all times exposure to the injurious effects 
of sudden changes in temperature without proper covering ; but 
nurseries and sleeping apartments should invariably be well ven- 
tilated. 

10. An infant should not be taken into the open air before the 
fifteenth day after birth, and then only in mild, fair weather. 

11. It is objectionable to have an infant sleep in the same bed 
either with its mother or nurse. 

12. No mother should be in too great a hurry to have a child 
walk ; let it crawl and accustom itself to rising on its feet by 
climbing on articles of furniture, or assisted by the arms of a care- 
ful attendant. Great care should be taken in the too early use of 
baby wagons, etc. 

13. In cases of suspected pregnancy, either of mother or nurse 
the child should be weaned at once. 



READ WHAT 

PHYSICIANS, CLERGYMEN, EDITORS, 

AND 

PEOPLE GENERALLY, 

THINK OF 

PLAIN HOME TALK AND MEDICAL COMMON SENSE 



Review of "Plain Rome Talk" by the eminent English Physician t 
Essayist, and Reviewer, Professor Strauss, 

Near the close of September, 1887, a cablegram announced the death of Dr. G. L. M. 
Strauss, of London, England, a savant well known to scientists and people of literary 
tastes. The following review of the field of medicine is from an unpublished manuscript 
received a few years ago by Dr. Foote, Sr. It was originally written as a preface to the 
English edition of "Plain Home Talk, embracing Medical Common Sense.*' If, as was 
intended at that time, stereotyped plates had been used in London for the special English 
edition, the manuscript might have been so used ; but, for English publishers, it was 
decided best to continue to furnish the work in printed sheets, and the length of Pro- 
fessor Strauss" article rendered it hardly suitable for the entire edition printed for use on 
this as well as on the other side of the Atlantic. The whole article was printed in the 
November, 18S7, issue of Dr. Foote s Health Monthly, and that portion referring directly 
to this book is such a valued endorsement of it, from an unquestionably competent and 
high authority, that it is printed herewith as a suffix instead of where a preface belongs. 
Professor Strauss wrote : 

" In limine, I must crave to explain briefly how I came to volunteer to write this Pre- 
face to the new English edition of Dr. Edward B. Foote's 'Plain Home Talk." 

'*Up to some thirty months or so ago Dr. Foote was personally unknown to me, nor 
had I read a line of his books, though I had, indeed, for years past, heard much of liim 
and his great success in his professed Common Sense treatment of an almost all-embrac- 
ing variety of human ailments. With a pretty Ion? and not altogether uneventful pro- 
fessional career of my own lying behind me, I continue to take a warm int rest in all 
genuine, bona fide progress of the most Important of all sciences — Physic. 

"But I must confess that my experiences in that noble science, and with its professors 
and leaders, have rather tended to predispose me to look with sceptic suspicion npon all 
claims and claimants to exceptional success in the treatment of diseases. 

*' I may conscientiously aver tnat I have, from an eariy period of my life, striven haid 



940 OPINIONS OP THE PEOPLE. 

and with honest endeavors to acquire and practise the beneficent healing art. 7 have 
been privileged to sit at the feet of many a reputed Gamaliel of the iEsculapian sp-ence., 
I studied Physic under the great leaders and teachers of the most renowned schools and 
systems of my time, in Germany as well as in France— and in many a civil and in many 
a military hospital has the sad opportunity been most profusely afforded me to see daily 
and hourly proof of the hopeless helplessness of the vaunted ars mede?idt\ and to find, to 
my most bitter grief and deepest humiliation, that most of the fancied theoretic lore I 
had acquired turned out in the crucible of attempted practical application like unto dry 
bones, sapless chips, withered leaves, and burnt-out ash. 

" . . . I was led in the end to forsake the exercise of Physic as an ungrateful oc- 
cupation, and to take to pursuits less fraught with danger and inconvenience to my 
feilow-men. Now, with these notions of mine, it was but natural, I think, that, as I 
have stated at the outset, I should feel rather disposed to look with sceptic suspicion 
upon all claims and claimants to exceptional success in the treatment of diseases. I 
must once more observe here that at that time Dr. Foote was personally unknown to me, 
and that I had never seen a line of his medical writings. 

" Now it so fell out that a young friend of mine, who had heard of Dr. Foote, and who 
had unsuccessfully tried the ministrations of some of our most highly reputed doctors in 
a delicate case, was induced at last to consult the famous New York Physician. I must 
confess it was not at my suggestion, at least, if not absolutely against my advice, that he 
did so. 

" He showed me the Doctor's letter in reply, and placed in my hands the remedial 
agents sent over to him from America. Well, the letter and the remedies — powerful 
agents compressed into the very smallest compass— staggered me considerably. Although 
an unsuccessful practitioner, if you will, I knew quite enough of my profession to see 
and understand that this American Doctor was a man who thoroughly knew what he 
was about, and that his practice was really based upon the great sound principle of 
Common Sense. My young friend recovered speedily and completely under Dr. Foote's 
treatment by correspondence. It is a homely old saying that the proof of the pudding 
is in the eating. Dr. Foote's success in this case impressed me rather favorably; it 
even led me to advise some other suffering friends of mine to apply to the New York 
Doctor. The result was equally favorable in every case. 

"I now for the first time procured a copy of Dr. Footed 'Plain Home Talk, 1 and 
read it carefully through— indeed, over and over again— and the more and the oftener I 
perused the Doctor's 'Plain Home Talk' upon Disease and its causes, prevention, and 
cure, the stronger the impression grew on my mind that here I had met at last with a 
true healer— an effective redresser of Nature's wrongs. This impression was confirmed 
and strengthened when I had the much-coveted pleasure of meeting Dr. Foote face to 
f ce, and conversing with him exhaustively upon the subject dearest to his heart, and 
engrossing aP. his thoughts, faculties, and talents : the relief of human suffering. This 
wns some years ago, upon the occasion of a visit which the Doctor made to the 'old 
country. 1 

" It was, in a great measure at least, upon my advice that Dr. Foote decided to publish 
a special edition of his ' Plain Home Talk ' for the use and guidance of Englishmen and 
Englishwomen — which I now beg leave to introduce to the fair notice of the British 
Public, fully convinced that all who will read the book with a can id mind and unbiassed 
judgment, and with the honest intention of profiting to the fullest extent by the sage les- 
sons au i sound advice upon the most important questions of life and health, so intelli- 
gently and exhaustively conveyed in every chapter of the work, will reap rich reward. 

" ' Plain Home Talk 1 may fairly be described as a veritable ' Enchiridion Medicum ;• 
a Compendium of sound advice upon the preservation of health and the proper treatment 



OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 941 

of every ill and ailment our poor human flesh is heir to, conveyed in plain, homely Ian* 
guage that addresses itself with straightest directness to the clear intelligence and under- 
standing of all sensible men and women. 

44 From the first line of the Author's own Preface to the last passus in the book, the wort 
is replete with the very highest sense, Common Sense, to wit, that most de sirable com- 
modity which the Author truly — albeit somewhat bitterly perhaps — declares x> be held at 
a discount, especially in the profession of Physic, where everything is proverbially 
ignored that has not the mustiness and dustiness of antiquity and incomprehensibility to 
r- commend it to the favorable notice of the 'learned.' The Author proceeds to char- 
acterize, rather felicitously I think, medical works in general as heterogeneous com- 
pounds of vague ideas and equally vague jaw-breaking words, in which the dead lan- 
guages are largely employed to treat of living subjects. Progress, says Dr. Foote, is fully 
admitted to be possible and real in every branch of art and science and human lore — ex- 
cept in Medicine, in which it would appear the beaten old track must be stolidly pursued, 
although it has been over and over again, even superabundantly, proved and demonstrated 
to the meanest capacity, that the beaten old track is altogether the wrong road, and leads 
to perdition. Ay, he who would strike out a new path for himself runs the risk of being 
dubbed by staid medical orthodoxy an empiric— if not an impudent and ignorant quack ! 
However, the dread of this has clearly no terror for Dr. Foote, who says he is content to 
bear the vaporing denunciation of antiquated, unreasoning, and unreasonable Medical 
Bigotry. He cares not for personal renown or popularitj'. His chief aspiration is to 
strive to promote to the best of his ability and power the physical and moral well-being 
of the great human family. In his * Plain Home Talk 1 he has endeavored to give to the 
world a Medical Work treating with equal thoroughness of first causes and ultimate effects, 
and of all intermediate facts and circumstances bearing upon them, and written in 
language strictly mundane, and comprehensible to all alike. 

"Many of the theories which Dr. Foote advances in this work are certainly new, and oc- 
casionally rather startling. I must candidly admit that some of his notions do not run 
on all fours, as the common saying has it. with my own most cherished ideas on the same 
matters, though I do not think I am fairly open to the taunt of old fogyism. However, 
as the Doctor avouches that all his views and theories are founded upon close observation 
and careful experiment, and an extensive successful medical practice, I say over again the 
proof of the pudding is in the eating, and objections based merely upon divergent theories 
should not be urged in opposition. 

*' There is one passage in the Doctor's own Preface to his book in which I go along with 
the author to the very fullest extent. He says, * it may sound boastful in a medical man 
to parade his great success in the practice of his art before the public,' but, he thinks k it 
is as fair and proper in him to do so as it is in a military chieftain to flash his achieve- 
ments on the field of battle, and the long array of orders he has received in reward for 
his skill and prowess, in the eyes of an admiring and applauding people.' This remark 
is true to triteness. I go further— I maintain that as by universal assent it is so much more 
honorable, and certainly so much more beneficial to mankind, to fight fell death and com- 
bat feller disease, and prevent loss of limb, and restore the maimed and lamed to power 
and action, than to slay and slash — the true healer has so much more reason to exhibit his 
sign-board, as dear Artemus used to have it ; nay, it seems to be his bounden duty to his 
suffering fellow-men to do this, that they may know where to apply for relief. 

" In conclusion I have to say a few words on a delicate subject which requires deiicat* 
handling. 

" Dr. Foote in his ■ Plain Home Talk' treats of all parts, organs, and functions of the 
human body alike, and of the derangements to which they are liable — which surely, to 
any man of plain understanding and average intellect, would seem to be the only Common 



942 OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 



Sense way in a professedly Medical Work on the preservation of health, and the preven- 
tion and cure of diseases. 

*' There are two sets of organs and functions in the human body — the one devoted more 
specially to the preservation of the individual, the other more exclusively to the preserva- 
tion of the species. Both sets are equally important one would think, or if there be a dif- 
ference oE degree, it surely must be held to preponderate on the side of the latter. Yet, 
strange to say perhaps, a somewhat tyrannical custom based upon spurious shame-faccd- 
ness, or an overwrought sense of innate modesty, has, to a great extent at least, placed 
all allusions to things more or less immediately connected with this latter set under a kind 
of social taboo. I know this is treading on dangerous ground. I will therefore content 
myself here with referring the reader of ' Plain Home Talk • to Dr. Foote's reasons as 
stated in his own preface, why he has made no marked distinction in his book between 
the treatment severally of the two sets* I may perhaps be permitted, however, to append 
a single remark : 

" Parents living in a city with dirty and dangerous back-slums in and about it, will, if 
endowed with an ordinary share of Common Sense, surely endeavor to the best of their 
ability to instruct their children, who may at some time or other have to pass through 
such objectionable places, as to their nature, and to warn them against the danger 
lurking in them. Yet will they, from mistaken delicacy and shame, send forth their 
children on their way through the infinitely more dangerous back-slums of life, without 
instruction, without warning." 



A Physician of a Broad Education writes, from Hairibrook Court, 

England : 

Deab Sir : I was in Bristol a few days ago, and when at a bookstall, I saw your re- 
markable book entitled "Plain Home Talk.' 1 I began to read, but could not put down 
the book till it was read through. Although a hard student for fifty years, I have met 
with much that was new, startling, and very instructive. If every adult in the civilized 
world could read, understand, and would follow out your views, in a few generations 
there would be a world of physical, intellectual, and moral giants. Your work is priceless 
in value and calculated to regenerate society. 

If there is anything you think I should like to have in tract form, please send it. I 
have lately retired from practice, and am ready for anything in advance. Believe me, 
fraternally yours, S. Eadon, M.A., M.D., Ph.D., F.S.A., Grad. of Med. of Edinburgh, 
Glasgow, and Aberdeen, 



A Physicians Honest Opinion. 

Philadelphia, Pa., January 16, 1884. 
Dear Sir : I have carefully read your book " Plain Home Talk and Medical Common 
Sense,' 1 and as I am myself a physician, and also have given a good deal of attention to 
social science and kindred studies, I feel competent to judge of it. I was strongly preju- 
diced against all publications of the kind I thought this to be. But now I must, as an 
honest man, say to you that your book is an able, honest, and truthful presentation of 
facts and theories, and calculated to do much good. I thank you for it. You may use 
this letter, as I mean what I say and am not ashamed to say it. 

Your obedient servant, Louis Seymour. 



" Every Family should have One. 91 

Breckenridgf, Mo., February 23, 1889. 
I purchased one of your valuable books entitled "Plain Home Talk," and find it 
one of the best books of its kind I have ever had. Every family should have one. Wish- 
ing you success with your good work, I am yours truly, C. E. Pitcher, M.D. 



OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 943 

Recent Testimonials for Plain Home Talk from Clergy. 

men. 

" Plain Home Talk " in the Pulpit 

Cotopaxi, Cbi,., April 21, 1887. 
Murray Hill Publishing Co— Dear Sirs : 

I am under many obligations for copies of The Health Monthly, and will soon 
place myself on record as commending your works in a paper or, as far as I can, as a cor- 
respondent. 

I have had the pleasure cf recommending " Plain Home Talk"' to my fellow- ministers 
and my people in my work. " Plain Home Talk " is used by me in the pulpit, and with 
good success. Yours truly, Rev. J. V. E. Humphreys. 

"SJiould be in Every American Home" 

Pastor's Study, Howellyille, Pa., June 8, 1887. 
Br. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

I have just finished reading your book, " Plain Home Talk," etc., with much pleasure. 
It is a book that should be in every American home. 

I am yours fraternally, Rev. Lewis R. Harley. 

Letter from an Aged Clergyman, 

West Cairo, 0., September 22, 1887. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

Some three weeks ago I received your popular edition of " Plain Home Talk," and 
have been intently engaged in reading its interesting pages for nearly two weeks, and 
have just closed its reading. I must say that a more profound exposition of the human 
system, diseases, causes, etc., has never fallen under my purview. Thousands of people 
in this world need just such information to enable them to purify the race of the diseases 
as on page 876. It would have saved the world an immense amount of suffering. ' May 
God preserve your life and health until a successor shall come to take your place. We 
need just such a man to tell us what we must do to live under Dame Nature's law, and by 
so doing to live happy, and 

11 Having health, peace and competence, 
Learn therewith to be content." — Pope. 

My voice has failed me so that I cannot preach to do much good. Sometimes it is bo 
weak that I can hardly hold family prayer. I put in the most of my time reading. 
Spend all I make in books. I can't be idle. Taught school about thirty years, and 
preached all the time. Am worn out. Seventy years past. Good health. I must send 
for Magnetic Ointment and Anti-Bilious Pills as soon as I can. Believe me that I ever 
remain Your very fast friend, John Goble. 

«P. H. T." is the Best. 

Locust Point, N. J., August 14, 1888. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir: 

I purchased a copy of your " Plain Home Talk," with which I have been much pleased 
and profited. Some little time since I also purchased "The Science of a New Life," by 
Cbwan. I must confess I like your book very much better. 

Yours very truly, Rev. H. Booois. 



944 OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 



From a Theological Student. " 

Crete, Neb., June 4, 1888. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

I am a young man twenty years of age. studying theology in the German Congrega- 
tional Seminary, at this place. I have before me a copy of your excellent book, kt Plain 
Home Talk." I have been reading it with the right spirit, I think, and I cannot keep 
from telling you how much good it has done me. I have by your book boon moved to 
give up the use of tabacco. All the temperance tracts I ever read— and I read a <jo<» 
many — could not move me to do this, but the plain and convincing language of your book 
has proved strong enough to make me give it up. 

I have read %< Plain Facts, 11 by Dr. Kellogg, of Battle Creek, Mich. I think it is very 
good, but your book, my dear sir, is better, is more inspiring, the Lingu;ige shows that it 
is written with a desire and a will to better mankind. I cannot tell how much I appre- 
ciate your book. I am glad I am acquainted with it, as I love it and study it. 

I feel from the spirit of your book that you appreciate such writing as th:s. I know 
you get many of them, but I believe that you realize the value of each one, for each one, 
at least this one, expresses a deep thankfulness to you. 

Yours very truly, John Lenthold. 



Brief Endorsements oy Editors. 

Newtown, Ala. , February 12, 1888. 
Murray Hill Publishing Co.— Dear Sirs : 

It has been our pleasure in the past to examine the book under consideration, and we 
are ready to endorse the same without any hesitancy on our part. 

Yours truly, O. C. Doster & Co. 

Office of Democrat, Salisbury, Mo., May 2, 1888. 
Murray Hill Publishing Co.— Dear Si7's. 

The books came safely to hand, and after a careful examination I am well pleased with 
them. They should be in every household. Any words of praise I can speak for the book 
will be cheerfully given. You are at liberty to use this if you choose. 

Respectfully, W. H. Brown. 

Darlington Journal, Darlington, Wis., May 9, 1888. 
Murray Hill Publishing Co.— Dear Sirs : 

Herewith find proposition as per your circular. I have perused the book, and know 
something of its great value to humanity. Yours most truly, H. L. Brown. 



An Editor's Review of "P. H. T." 

{From The Normal, an educational monthly, Wilton Junction, Ta.~) 
Through the courtesy of our friend, W. W. Jones, and the publishers of "Plain Home 
Talk and Medical Common Sense," another valuable treatise has been added to our grow- 
ing library. The work has in it an able treatment of the various diseases, their causes, 
preventions, and cures. It is an able exponent of the simple hygienic laws which so few 
of us take the trouble to observe. Its valuable advice to the young and old, to the m r- 
ried and unmarried, and to the healthy or diseased, is well worth the study by all. The 
department treating of the chronic diseases to which we are subject, is very complete, 
and has in it much sound sense. It also treats at length, in a straightforward way, the 
marriage institution, its joys and vicissitudes, and the marriage laws and customs of all 
oountrios. It is throughout pure in sentiment, a,nd will without & dou^t t>e. found Qt 

v^lue by any wha will examine its content^ 



OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 945 

How Plain Home Talk is Appreciated in Foreign 
Countries. 

Opinion of an English Lawyer. 

11 Chapel St., Preston, Eng., December 1, l c "7. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir ; 

1 am reading w.th much interest and appreciation the book " Plain Home Talk/* by 
yourself. If you will value at all my sympathy and appreciation of your work, you w'.W 
b • p'ea.-ed to know that you have it. I believe it is sinful and criminal to taboo the.=e ail- 
important subjects in the way so man}- people do. 

Yours truly, J. J. Rawsthorn, Solicitor, 



Fi*om "India's Coral Strands " 

Thana (Bombay), India, October 2, 1S8S. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Deir Sir : 

I consider myself fortunate in the possession of your invaluable works, "Plain Home 
Talk v and "Boming Better Babies. n I have long been looking for a work like this 
*' Plain Home Talk,'' and I look upon it as a godsend to come across the book. Several 
of my friends to whom I bad the pleasure to recommend the work, have been at this mo- 
ment poring over that excellent work, and such as could buy it have done so. Unfor- 
tunately there is want of copies at the booksellers in Bombay, and as in my ca>e I had to 
order it out from England through my bookseller. N. D. Guftk. 



Heartfelt Thanks from Australia. 

Sandhurst, Victoria, Australia, September 10, 1SST. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

It is with intense thankfulness to you that I accept this opportunity of writing to one 
who has given to the world a work of which we should indeed be proud, viz. r ' k Plain Home 
Talk."' There are several copies of your excellent work here in this city (I have one my- 
self), and, dear sir. you would be surprised to hear the high encomiums passed npon yor.r 
work by tho>efrom whom you would least expect it. Your essay on Electrical Radiation pre- 
sents itself to the m"nds of all who have read it as a masterpiece of reasoning, and. indeed, 
since I h ive read that article I have been able to see certain things which were previously 
my-tenons. presented in such a clear, concise, and conclusive manner, as to leave not a 
shadow of a doubt of the force and truth of your argumeuts. And yo.ir at tide on Men- 
tal and Physical Adaptation is really excellent, in fact there is not a line in the book which 
is not worth the diligent perusal and study of all mankind. I must now close this com- 
munication with many heartfelt thanks to you. being one who has reaped immense bene- 
fit by the reading of your work, and hoping that you may long be spared to this world, to 
fuccessfully write and practise in the future as you have in the past. 

I am, yours truly, Charles Paull. 



$46 OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 

The Vox Populi Praises" Plain Home Talk." Miscella- 
neous recent Testimonials from all Sorts of Folks 
.everywhere. 



" They are too Good to Keep." 

Miller's Hotel, 37, 39, and 41 W. 26th St. 
New York, March 30, 1887. 
IDr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

Please send me copy of your " Common Sense " by bearer, at trade rate. I want it for 
ixnyself , though I have bought a dozen in five years. I cannot keep them, they are too 
;good to keep. Kesp'y, Chas. H. Haynes, Manager Hotel. 



A Bookseller's Opinion of u Plain Home Talk" 

Ada, O., May 17, 1887. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir: 

I am .glad to say that for about seven years I have had the good fortune to peruse the 
golden :pages of your book, " Plain Home Talk." I cannot express my gratitude to you 
ior the valuable information I have gained. Very truly, S. B. Wagner. 



Sold Thirty-six "P. H. T.'s" in One Week. 

York Citt, Pa., May 20, 1887. 
Hurray Hill Publishing Co. — Bear Sirs : 

I've always been an admirer of those spirited men who are incessantly fishing up new 
and practical ideas from the infinite depths of the scientific ocean, and who are not 
afraid to throw them in the teeth of those old-school, cast-iron fellows, who never get or 
see beyond the foggy atmosphere in which they live. 

Pve just closed my school and am out of work. While attending Millersville State 
Normal School, before I graduated, I sold thirty-six copies of "Plain Home Talk" in one 
week. In the preparation for final examination I had to discontinue the selling of the 
book. I would like to engage with you as general solicitor for your work, etc. Please send 
me circulars and your best terms. I am, very respectfully yours, G-. W. Strominger. 



" Stronger and Better Young Men." 

Normal, III., September, 1S87. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

We have always had a copy of Dr. Foote's " Plain Home Talk" in our bookcase, and I 
advocate that now it ought to be in every household in the United States. We would 
have stronger, and better young men and women if such were the case. I will do all I 
can to push this good work. Yours truly, John R. Dodge, Jr. 



u A Grand Philanthropic Work." 

Crab Bottom, Va., 1888. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

I accidentally came into possession of your work entitled " Plain Home Talk," and am 
exceedingly well pleased with it. I heartily congratulate you upon the grand and philan- 
thropic work you have expounded. I am a medical student, and would gladly peruse 
more of your various productions, Tours very respectfully, W. D. Colaw, 



OPINIONS OF TriE PEOPLE. 047 

il Brimming Over with Useful Knowledge." 

Boston, Mass., February 2, 1888. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

A short time ago I received one of your books, ll Plain Home Talk," and I just want to 
say how pleased I am with it. It is certainly a book (brimming over with useful knowl- 
edge), and it is a book that ought to be iti t!.e hands of every young man. Yes, and in 
the hauls of every person who de.ights in a book of useful instruction and common- 
tfcma, and I shall certainly do my best ro make this known among my frl nds and ac- 
quaintances, as I think it is a book that is very much needed. I myself am very 
thankful for tuch an able work. I wish you every success. 

Very truly, Jno. J. Smith. 



San Diego, Cal., July 23, 1SSS. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

I have read several works on sexual science, but " Tlain Home Talk" is head and ears 
above them all. I consider it the best work published. "Wishing you God-speed in youi 
noble cause. Yours respectfully, T. M. Jefferis. 



A Preparatory Work for Students. 

Cerro Gordo, Ark., February 6, 188S. 
Dr. E. B. Foote -Dear Sir: 

For some weeks past I have devoted a considerable portion of my time to the reading of 
your " Plain Home Talk and Medical Common Sense," which I have found to be of 
great benefit to me. I am a beginner in the study of medicine, and am devoting all the 
time I can on such works as yours, which I think are of much more benefit than many old 
text-books which have been offered me by old practitioners. Your work is so plainly and 
yet so artistically framed that it is a perfect fit for all, and, indeed, if it was but known 
and read by every one as it should be, there is no doubt that every man would be his own 
doctor. 

I have always had a very great desire to study medicine. The idea of actually finding 
it easy was never entertained until I read your book. I only regret that I had never seen 
it before, and I think that every physician in the State would be benefited greatly by 
purchasing and reading at once the work. 

Yours with very great respect, Wm. J. Scott. 



A Valuable Reference Book. 

Arritts, Ya., September 14, 18S8. 
Murray Hill Publishing Co.— Dear Sirs : 

Dr. Foote* s " Plain Home Talk" supplies a desideratum to the literary work!, especially 
to all students of medicine, its truths and facts being grouped so as to make it a valuable 
reference-book. Access is made easy to stores of useful knowledge by its common-sense 
method, the more surprising that in it may be found information bearing upon ncaily all 
subjects which are familiar to us in every-day practical life. 

In style it is synthetic : in matt' r, varied yet coincident. A valuable book and would 
be an acquisition to any library. It is a book nee led in every-day practical life. 

Truly yours, Joiia S Hepleb. 



948 OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE. 

Philadelphia, Pa., October, 1888. 
Dr. E B. Foote — Dear Sir: 

I have just finished reading 3 r our book entitled " Plain Home Talk," arivl wish to God 
there were more professional men like yourself ; men not afraid to snap their fingers in 
the face of the few fanatics who oppose the publication of such valuable works, and thus 
prevent, to a great amount, the horrible suffering of the young men and women of our 
large country. Yours truly, Samuel A. Story. 

Blue Bock, Pa., January 17, 1889. 
" Plain Home Talk" came to hand all right. It is quite beyond my expectations. It is 
a wonder to me how such a book like that can be sold for so small a price. I shall do all 
1 can for the book. Yours respectfully, J. E. Plltt. 

Dayton, O., February 5, 1889. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

Allow me here to compliment you on your " Plain Home Talk." Being an advanced 
medical student I have read a great many books of a similar nature, but yours equals, if 
not surpasses, any of them in the clearness of explanation, and for frankness and open- 
ness of opinion I have not seen the like, for in it I find many valuable facts either omit- 
ted or not definitely explained in text-books. I also admire very much the style in which 
everything is stated — firmly, frankly, and in some instances not untinged with humor. 

Yours truly, A. P. Foose. 

Zanesville, O., February 15, 1889. 
Dr. E. B. Foote— Dear Sir : 

Sometime ago I wrote you in reference to the purchase of your work, '"Plain Home 
Talk and Medical Common Sense." I was then pleased with it, but since a more careful 
perusal of its pages I am perfectly captivated, yea, charmed with its contents. Verily I 
can say : It's the book of books. What the Duke of Buckingham said of Homer's " Iliad," 
I can say of your book : 

" Bead ' Common Sense, 1 and you can read no more, 
For all books else appear so mean, so poor ; 
Don't stop at all, but still persist to read, 
And ' Common Sense ' will be all the books you'll need." 
The time is coming, amid the revolutions of this great world, when the wisdom of its 
great teachers will be acknowledged, when liberality will shake off the shackles of igno- 
rance and prejudice ; when hypocritical knaves, pretending to suppress vice, but whose 
only aim is to throttle free speech, destroy free thought and liberal literature, and consign 
its teachers to a felon's cell, may in turn be suppressed. 

Proceed, Doctor, in your good work as the disseminator of knowledge, and an improved 
race will eventually rise up and call you blessed. Yours will be an enduring fame when 
s iperstition and bigotry will crumble into dust. Truly yours, J. H. Coke. 

Fredonia, Kan., February 27, 1888. 
Murray Hill Publishing Co.— Dear Sirs : 

I sent for " Plain Home Talk and Medical Common Sense," and it is such a grand 
book that I feel every house ought to have one. I have been letting my friends have 
mine to read, and if you will let me know what your terms are I will try and get up a 
club. I am not able to canvas the town, but feel as though I would like my friends to 
have the same prize that I have. I can never be thankful enough to think I sent for it. 

Respectfully, Mrs. J. A. Bubgb. 



THE NEW 

MURRAY HILL SERIES! 



AN" AMUSING STORY, 

IN WHICH 

Dr. Foote, Author of Plain Home Talk, etc., 

TEACHES ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE. 

A series for the young, the middle-aged, the old^ and everybody ! 

Five Volumes, containing in all over 1,200 pages and 400 Comic 
and Scientific Illustrations!! 

This series bears the name of 

"SCIENCE IN STORY; 

OB, 

Sammy Tubbs the Boy-Doctor, and Sponsie the Troublesome Monkey." 

CHILDREN ARE CARRIED AWAY WITH IT, 

AND THE OLDER ONES ARE SPLITTING THEIR SIDES 
While reading it, and learning more than they ever before thought of respecting the 
curious mechanism of their own bodies 1 I 

Buy it for yourselves ; obtain it for your children ; for, while being amused and enter- 
tained with the progress of Sammy and the laughable tricks of Sponsie, you will be 
acquiring the most valuable information ever presented about the construction and mar- 
vellous workings of the wonderful organs which enable you to live and move upon the 
earth as an animate and human being. 

The work is mainly gold by agents, but it may be had directly of the Publishers if no 
agents are selling it in your neighborhood. 

RETAIL PRICES. 
Extra cloth, inked back and sides, - $0.50 per voL 

Tinted paper, red lined, extra English cloth, bevel 
boards, gold side and b3ck. red edges, just the 
thing for Holiday and Birthday Presents, - 1.00 " 
The five vols, in one, on light paper, neatly bound, 

ONLY, $2.00 

Agents Wanted for the sale of the Murray Hill Series. Teachers, and espe- 
cially lady teachers, have unusual facilities for selling this work with benefit to their 
pupils and profit to themselves. Call on or address 

MURRAY HILL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

!. 127 East 28th Street, K Y, 



J)dO PUBLISHERS' ADVEBTfsMENft 

"SCIENCE IN STORY; 1 ' 

Or, " Sammy Tubbs the Boy-Doctor, and Sponsie 

the Troublesome Monkey/' 

Which is advertised on the preceding page, is one of the most attractive, original and 
novel puDlications which has originated from the pen of Dr. Foote. Stop a moment and 
give a hasty glance to the subjects of each volume. 

VOLUME I. 

olives a history of Sammy's beginnings ; of Sponsie's arrival in this country, and of hi 
in vaiuable services as a companion of the Boy-Doctor. It also imparts a clear knowledge 1 
of how the frame of the human body is put together and held together by Cartilages, . 

Tendons, and Muscles. 

VOLUME II. 

Is humorous with April-fool jokes, fantastics, monkey-tricks, etc., and instructive in mat*' 
fcer relating to the Arteries, Veins, Capillaries, Lymphatics, Lacteal Radicles, Villi, and' 
all that appertains to circulation and absorption. 

VOLUME III. 

Shows how a mischievous animal can turn a well-regulated household upside-down witty 
his sly and cunning tricks. It is irresistibly funny, and at the same time it gives th$ 
reader a clear idea in regard to the way in which Digestion, Nutrition, and Respiration 
are performed. 

VOLUME IV. 

Gives an account of Sammy's first lecture, the masked party at the Biddlewicker's, the 
two monkey-soldiers, and the tragedy of Shin-bone Alley ; and it gives facts and theories 
of great interest respecting the Brain and Nerves. Everything in it is plain to those who 
have attentively read the preceding three volumes. Each volume prepares the readel 
for the next. 

VOLUME V. 

Treats upon the Eliminating and Reproductive Organs, and reopens the story which 
eeems to close with Vol. IV. This is the most valuable and instructive of the whole 
series ; but parents who do not think it best to give their children this most important 
information, are at liberty to withhold it from them. 

EACH VOLUME 

Contains 256 pages, although the folios in some of them do not run so high in consequence 
of full-page pictures, which are not counted in the numbering. Each one is handsomely 
Illustrated with comic pictures from the experienced hand of H. L. Stephens, Esq. The 
illustrations are copied on plates from original pen-and-ink designs, makin<~ the series a 
novelty in art as well as in matter. The reader is 

INSTRUCTED AS WELL AS AMUSED, 

And interested in the perusal of this remarkable series. Everybody likes it, and every- 
oody is buying it. 

%W 'A full contents table will be sent free to all interested parties who prefer to examine 
the summary of contents before ordering the series. Copies sent, postage prepaid, on ro. 
ceipt of the price. Plain binding, per volume. $1.00. Gold embossed, red line, red edge, 
$1.50 per volume. The five vols, in one, on light paper, neatly bound, only $2.00. 
Agents Wanted for this series and for Dr. F >ote*s other publications. Call on ct 
ddress Murray Hill Publishing Company, 129 East 28th Street, New York. 



OPINIONS OF THE PEESS. 951 

EEAD WHAT 
THE RELIGIOUS AXD SECULAR PRESS 

HAVE SAID OF 

Dr. FOOTE'S "SCIENCE IN STOKY." 



For this place we cannot do better than to copy an article under the head of 
Books from the Golden Age of April 3d, 1875. In this article the reviewer quotes 
some of the best notices of leading papers in such an ingenious way, as to make a 
very entertaining page of reading matter from the remarks of its contemporaries. 

THE MURRAY HILL SERIES. 

We have, on one or two occasions, referred to this excellent series, bearing the title 1 1 
F^.ence in Story; or, Sammy Tubbs the Boy-Doctor, and Sponsie the Troublesome 
Monkey, from the pen of Dk. E. B. Foote. The fifth and last volume having lately been 
isei \ v_ propose to speak more at length of a peculiar work which is no less remarkabl 
f. it« novelty than valuable for its instructiveness. 

b-HMY Tubbs the boy-doctor started in his promising career as the door- boy of 
good-natured and capable physician, bearing the cognomen of Dr. Samuel Hubbs. li 
had not been long in his new position before Mrs. Millstone, the wife of a sea captain 
and the patient of Dr. H., made the bright colored lad— for Sammy belonged to thi 
oppressed race — a present of a singularly intelligent monkey, to whom was given 4% • 
euphonious name of Sponsie. Sammy became intensely interested in all he saw u*. ' 
heard in the doctor's office, and Sponsie became no less absorbed iu the opportunitie 
which he found for mischief in the doctor's family. Sammy was bent on self-improve- 
ment, while Sponsie was solely devoted to the pastime of putting everybody and every- 
thing into an inextricable muddle. As the reader follows Sammy he finds out, while 
perusing an amusing and ingenious narrative, all about the bones, cartilages and muse'ea 
in the first volume; about the arteries, veins, capillaries, etc., iu u*c second volume; 
about digestion, nutrition, respiration, and the vegetative nervous system in the fchii , 
volume ; about the brain and nerves in the fourth volume ; and all about elimination a;. 
leproduction in the fifth volume. 

The story seemingly comes to an end at the close of volume four, so that those having 
Charge of the young, either as parents or teachers, can, if they choose, withhold 
matter appertaining to the subject of elimination and reproduction, from children \ '._ 
may be considered too young to be benefited thereby. The story is then revived with thi 
progesBive Sammy and the inevitable monkey as the prominent characters, and volume 
five comes forth freighted with valuable information upon the subject alluded to, so in 
•erspersed with exciting incidents, ludicrous episodes, and comic as well as scientific 
flln.-trations, as to give it all the winning qualities of a lively work of fiction. 

Lc-ide the old doctor, the boy-doctor, and the irrepressible monkey, there are many 
tharactere introduced in the several volumes, among whom ore a merciless critic ana 



952 PUBLISHEKS' ADVEETISEMENT. 

questioner by the name of Dr. Winkles, and a rich, generous old colored man by the 
name of Mr. Johnson. The former is always pestering Sammy with knotty questions, 
criticising his professional friend Hubbs in the management of his pupil, and inter- 
meddling generally in such a way as to make the boy still more diligent in his 
physiological studies. The latter becomes the fast friend of Sammy, and supplies him 
with the necessary means and opportunities for advancement. Sponsie, meanwhile, is 
as busy as the busiest, continually upsetting the family with the most extraordinary 
feats of mischief; from which cause a great deal of trouble, as well as amusement. 
In brief, he seems to keep all the members of the family on the " ragged edge." 

"We' are," remarks the St. Louis Christian Advocat ., "at a loss which most bC 
admire — the monkey, Sammy, or the doctor. The monkey would certainly forever estab- 
lish the Darwinian theory, but for the fact clearly developed that Sammy is such a won- 
derful prodigy, and so rapidly and so far distances his pet companion, that all must 
conclude they are not of a common origin.' 1 The same writer thinks he has found 
in this series a short and pleasant road to physiology. " In this work, 1 ' he says, " fiction 
and physiology are so beautifully and harmoniously blended that the mind is not vcark.J 
with the skeleton of science, nor so excited with the fiction, as to neglect or forget the 
important lesson taught. 1, Perhaps a better knowledge of this work, in advance of ita 
considerate perusal, could not be obtained than by looking over the reviews which have 
been voluntarily given it by the press. We will make room for interesting extracts fron 
some of them. 

The Christian Union says : " The real object of the book is to impart to younf 
people a knowledge of physiology, and the monkey, although his practical physiological 
knowledge is limited, seems to know just when a lesson has reached a proper leDgth, C"d 

Indicates its end by making a sudden a x >^~ -~ in a mischievous and troublesoina 

manner. . . . The information in these volumes is distinctly and correctly given, and 
the pictures are numerous, well printed, and very funny." But some of the reviewers 
seem to think that the book is quite as valuable for adults as for children. 

The New York Daily Times remarks that k< the book is one which adults may peruse 
with both profit and pleasure, and that no better reading could be had in a family circle 
largely composed of juveniles, while the elders are at hand to explain and illustrate the 
tough parts of the medical tuition of Sammy Tubbs." The same writer says that "a 
vein of hearty, uproarious fun runs through the narrative portion of the book, and the 
scientific conversations and illustrations with which it is studded are made as Dimple as 
the nature of the subject and the inevitable use of learned words will allow." Although 
the Times' writer speaks of the " tough parts" and "learned words," some of t! 
reviewers think the work is remarkable for its simplicity. 

The New York Daily "World says that " it is eminently suited for children, the tech* 
meal terms of the mechanism of the body being ingeniously concealed, making a vt 
Bntertaining work of what would otherwise be a primary text-book of anatomy and pi . 
liology." Another writer seems to be of a similar opinion. 

The Graphic tells us that " the leading characters are several sma 1 ! boys, a particu- 
larly mischievous monkey, and a genial doctor, ready to exhibit skeletons and set forth 
physiological facts to his juvenile friends at the slightest provocation." This write! 
remarks that " the author has made with these materials an extremely entertaining story, 
which cannot be read even by the most perverse small boy without acquainting him with 
an immense quantity of bones, muscles, etc" One of our religious contemporaries though! 



OPINIONS OF THE PRESS, 953 

it would have liked the work better if it had found in it something to raise the minds of 
its readers to the adoration of that divine wisdom which is so plainly shown in tho struc- 
ture of the human frame. But the Rev. Alfred Taylor, in the Christian at "Work, 
says : " To teach a boy under the old-fashioned system about the construction of the 
human body, is as difficult to the teacher as it is distasteful to the boy. To put this kind 
of science in such shape that even a little boy can master it, is a work of which any in- 
structor may be proud." " This," he says, "is just what Dr. E. D. Foote has done in the 
Troublesome Monkey. Sammy Tubbs is a doctor's boy, and instrad of idling away his 
time has an investigating turn of mind, leading him in quest of all manner of availab'.e 
i.. formation. Sp^nsie is a monkey of more than average intelligence. His haps and mis- 
h ips and contributions to medical science, are of a sufficiently engrossing character to 
comj el the attention of cither youth or adult, of either sex, who will but epen the look. 
. . The books are as useful as they are funny and interesting. "Whatever may be said 
about there being no r« yal road to learning (a very much misapplied saying, by the way) 
we can see no.hing short of royal fun combined with solid advantage in } iving our boy 3 
these books to read." lk Dr. Foote, 1 ' he adds, "is well known as a writer on the common- 
sense side of medical matters, and has great success in the works he has written for 
older people." Nearly all of the reviewers seem to consider the work decidedly humorous. 

Our staid neighbor the Methodist says of the work, that "it is a most successful 
and most amusing attempt to present some of the leading facts of anatomy and ] hysi* 
clogy in the form of a story. The story as a story is all it should be, full of life and 
incident, funny enough. The scientific information is brought in gracefully and natu- 
rally, as a part of the story, and there is not enough of it to weary the youthful reader, or 
give him cause to suspect that he is being stuffed with useful knowledge." Mcoi e's 
Rural New Yorker, which visits every week with cheerful face the glowing hea: th 
of our American farmers, tells its readers that Sammy Tubbs, " will be immensely ropiu 
lar with boys and girls, that it is full of fun, balanced by a little sober thought and a few 
hard Latin names." It further says that "as a story it i3 a success. Its anatomical 
teachings are not profound enough to spoil it, wille they give valuable information.'' 
The New York Independent, in speaking of three of the later volumes, remarks that 
u they are successful as was their predecessor in combining with an interesting narrative 
a goodly amount of information, and we have found nothing objectionable in the tale or 
the teaching." The New York Christian Intelligencer adds to this testimony by 
saying that " the book is unexceptionable in point of morals." The Independent, 
in furthur remarks, says respecting the work, that "it is written in a pleasant and in- 
teresting style, despite the surprising statement of the author in his preface that he has 
never read but one work of fiction in his life, and that one in childhood." 

The Mother's Magazine, which for over forty years has be^n on the alert for 
every good thing for mothers and children, says : " The title of the work suggests its real 
character. The author is entirely successful in producing and keeping up an interest 
in the plan and detail of the story, and in imparting no inconsiderable amount of instruc- 
tion that must be of practical value. Matters of everyday life, anatomy and electricity, 
6nggcst the opportunities which are improved to the edification of hJs young rca crs r 
He also seeks occasion to fortify the young mind against the use of ungrammatxal 
expressions, and in every way gives the young mind a large stride towards a useful edu- 
cation. Wish we had more of such books." 

The Domestic Monthly thinks the series one of the most important of late pub- 
lications ^The aim of this work," the writer remarks, "is to supply physiological 



f)54 PUBLISHERS' ADVERTISEMENT. 

knowledge to the reader, and this is most successfully accomplished by inextricably 
weaving physiological facts into a well-connected, highly amusing, and entertaining story. 
It is more especially intended for the young, but it will probably be read by as many 
adults as by the younger people, and with scarcely less interest. The story helps to effec- 
tually impress the scientific knowledge, so aptly presented in the volumes, upon the mind 
of the reader, so that a perusal of the work cannot fail to afford a large amount of useful 
knowledge, while at the same time he is most agreeably entertained by the story." " We 
know of no work," it concludes, " that is more deserving to be placed into the hands of 
ooys and girls, cr one whose perusal would afford more benefit. Each volume constitutes 
m admirable little work, while all are profusely illustrated with scientific and humorous 
Growings, and neatly printed and bound." 

One of the veterans of the evening press, the Express, tells us " this is a capital set 
of books, five volumes in all, for onr young people. In them an attempt is made to bring 
the elementary truths relating to the structure and functions of the human body down to 
the comprehension of juvenile minds. Science has been so deftly covered over with an 
entertaining story, that the youthful reader is drawn on and instructed in the elementary 
laws of physiology, while his interest and sympathy are won for the sable hero of the 
story. Science and recreation indeed have seldom walked together so harmoniously, nor 
so admirably suttceeded in accomplishing a good task. Dr. Foote is to be congratulated 
upon having written five very charming books that commend themselves to those parents 
Who would see their children instructed as well as amused. 

Our neighbor of the Christian at Work, if he does not like theatres and play, 
houses, takes kindly to the series under consideration. This serious paper remarks that 
"the volumes are all handsomely illustrated, neatly printed and tastefully bound. Their 
author, E. B. Foote, M.D., is well known as a popular writer on medical themes. He ha3 
distinguished himself by his efforts to impart instruction to the public on the vital matters 
relating to health. But in these volumes he has done that kind of service which cannot 
fail to be appreciated by the most numerous class of readers — the young people. For 
them he has made the science of life plain, simple, and attractive. . . When such 
works shall have become popular the disgusting dime novels will disappear." 

The Evening" Mail thinks that "the children will certainly be interested in the 
tricks of the monkey and the adventures of Sammy, and will probably imbibe a good 
deal of useful information about the body and its functions as they read." 

The precocious short-lived Republic lived long enough to put in indelible letters the 
following truthful paragraph : " The difficulties which lie in the way of the instruction 
of children in scientific matters have long seemed almost insurmountable. A dry field of 
study, burdened with technical words, has seemed too forbidding to arouse the interest of; 
the young, and consequently but the merest smattering of scientific knowledge is taught;, 
in the schools, or outside of colleges or institutions specially intended for this class of in-, 
struction. . . The ignorance of children, and even of adults, on these important matters >, 
(physiological) is deplorable. Any effort to improve such a condition is of course more 
likely to be efficacious when applied in youth, and then, alsc, when made palatable through 
the ingenious framework of an original tale. In attempting such a task, Dr. Foote has, 
found it certainly no light labor, yet evidently not beyond his mental strength. His work-, 
is very creditable to him, and shows that he possesses the faculty of conveying informa-. 
tion in an intelligible form, and of awakening an interest in his subject in the minds of hi*; 
readers." 



OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 955 

fromeroy's Democrat thinks "this series meets a dire necessity among the people. 
4 Although,' says the writer, ' it is written in a style to suit children, it may with profit be 
read by all who are ignorant of physiology and the science of medicine. Dr. Foote evinces 
a mo<5t laudable desire to educace people so that they can obey the laws of health and 
avoid the affliction of calling a doctor. Ignorance sends many a man, woman, and child 
to an untimely grave, and this energetic author gives the public the benefit of his most 
valuable knowledge, after years of close application and an extensive practice of medi- 
cine, to assist in avoiding the seeds of disease. Sammy Tubbs is a well-written story that 
will please and instruct tne little folks, and deserves the large circulation predicted by its 
reception in the world of books.' " 

The Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune calls this series "a novelty in literature. A new vein 
is opened," says the writer, "an interesting story for juveniles in which is woven thf 
important studies of science. The author has prepared a story in his simple style, suit- 
able for children, treating of anatomy and physiology. The technical terms, which are 
usually used in imparting information in regard to the mechanism of the body and the 
relations which the various organs and parts sustain to each other, are entirely dropped 
in the author's narrative, thus relieving it of the dryness which is generally perceivable 
in works of its kind. The teachings of the work are admirably adapted to the younger 
minds, and much more information will be gleaned from its pages accidentally than from 
a third reading of a physiological work." 

The St Louis Christian Advocate, a remark from which we have previously 
quoted, says that " fiction and physiology is certainly a strange and hazardous blending 
of the imaginative and the real, of the romantic and the common-place, and yet we see no 
valid reason why these beautiful regions of thought-cultivation may not be laid under 
tribute to the cause of science, and be made efficient in teaching the great lessons of phy- 
sical life. The happy and gratifying success of Dr. Foote will, we doubt not, lead many 
adventurous tourists to direct their steps to this virgin forest. The fatal lack, even 
among the cultivated, of physiological knowledge, furnishes urgent reasons for making 
the path of science both enticing and instructive.'" 

Similar views are expressed by the Medical Eclectic for March. It says that " it 
is just the thing to give the unprofessional mind a knowledge of the human system ; that 
it is so beautifully printed and profusely illustrated, as to make it an ornament to the 
centre table or library. For many year§ to come it will be a favorite holiday work, and at 
all times, when parents wish to make presents to their little folks, or teachers desire to 
offer prizes for proficiency in study, Sammy Tubbs will be the first book thought of as emi- 
nently suited for a gift possessing enduring value. For adults," remarks this medical 
writer, in conclusion, " it is science in story, sugar-coated with irresistible humor." 

"Each volume contains, including full-page pictures, 256 elegantly printed pages pro* 
fusely illustrated by the inimitable hand of Henry L. Stephens, Esq., whose origiua! 
pen-and-ink drawings, especially made for this work, have been reproduced on relief 
plates by the new photo engraving process of the Photo-Engraving Company, No. 62 
Cortlandt street. The work, in handsome plain muslin, is afforded at one dollar per 
volume, and the elegant gold embossed binding, with tinted paper, red line, red edge, 
models of printing and binding art, suitable for any centre table or choice library, is fur- 
nished at $1.50 per volume. Although some copies of this admirable work may find their 
way into the book stores, it is intended to be sold exclusively by the subscription plan. 
In regions where no agents are at work, the publishers will furnish \t by mail, postage 



956 



PUBLISHERS' ADVERTISEMENT. 



prepaid, on receipt of the price. We are pleased," remarks the Golden Aft*© li iii coiv 
elusion, to Indorse all that has been said of this series, and trust that it will have tin 
immense sale which is predicted for it by those who are well acquainted with the book 
trade. The success which its author has had in an extensive medical practice, which ia 
not limited by the boundaries of the United States or their territories, will greatly aid in 
its circulation. Grateful patients in every quarter of the globe, who have received relief 
from the Doctor's well-known skill, will become its voluntary colporters, to say nothing oi 
the energetic labors of that large class of vigilant and world- wise subscription agents, who 
are ever ready to seize upon a work which possesses the inherent elements of merit and 
success. Dr. Foote's "Plain Home Talk and Medical Common Sense" hasfounft 
its way into almost every household in this country, and we have no doubt Science in 
Story will follow in its wake, and will prove equally as welcome a visitor." 







: ST0BY or the Bio hat illustbated.-n [From Vol. V. of Science in Storj.I 



OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 957 

READ WHAT 

ONE OF OUR LEADING NEWSPAPERS 

SAYS REGARDING 

OUR PUBLISHING HOUSE, AND OF THE AUTHOR OF 

PLAIN HOME TALK, SCIENCE IN 

STORY, ETC. 



We trust our vanity may be pardoned if we obtrude in these pages a notice of 
ourselves which will be read with no less interest by the friends of our author. It 
may inspire the confidence of agents in us. and the confidence of the sick in Dr. 
Foote. The following is from the New \ ork Independent : 

Amomr the many successful enterprises in our metropolis may be mentioned 
that of the Murray Hill Publishing Iojjpant. whose office and publishing rooms 
are at 129 East 28th Sireet. This company was organized mainly for the purpose 
of publishing' the medical and reformatory works written by that eminently suc- 
cessful physician. K. B. Foots. M. D., author of Medical Common Sense, a work 
widely known in ihis and foreign countries, it having reached a sale of 250.000 
copies. This work was i evis< d and enlarged a few y ars ago. and reissued under 
the title of "Plain H«.me Talk and Medical Common Sense."— a valuable work of 
over 900 pages and 200 illustrations The wm k. so revised and enlarged, has also 
sold to the extent of nearly «>ne hundred thousand copies, and has been most fa- 
vorably noticed by the leading papers of the < oin.tiy. 

Dr. Foote possesses the haj»p> faculty of eonvt ying inform at ioi relatingtothe 
physical well-being of people in such a plain way that he has succeeded in inter- 
esting thousands of those who have hardly heretofore given a serious thought to 
suehmatteis. His Ploin Home I'aik is tilled with inteiesting facts and sugges- 
tions to the sick, which ha> been derived from over twenty years of experience 
in the treatment of all forms of chronic disease. His elegantly fitted offices at his 
residence, 120 Lexington Avenue, are daily thronged with patients from all parts 
of the country, who bear witness to his uniformly successful treatment of their 
various ailments. 

The Murray Hill Publishing Company have also issued recently a beautiful 
series of books in four volumes, entitled Science in >tary; <>r, Sammy Tubbs the 
Boy-Doctor, and Sponsie the Troublesome Mo>>kcy. The purpose of this serk s is to 
interest the young with an amusing story, while at the same time it teaches 
therein the science of physiology. It is written in the doctor's inimitably pleas- 
ing and simple style, and certainly seems to succeed in perfectly illustrating ard 
simplifying the knotty, abstruse science of physiology making it interesting and 
instructive to the young and we suspect that many of the older ones might' read 
this interesting series with profit. The older ones indeeu are reading it, and are 
expressing their great satisfaction with the w T ork. Those who are intelligent 
upon nearly every other subject are often found to be lamentably ignorant of 
their ow n organizations. Among such as these this popular series cannot fail to 
do a world of good. 

We are di.-inclined to omit in this connection a brief description of Dr. Foote's 
esta blishment, The laboratory in which the medicines are prepared occupies the 
upper floor, consisting of three rooms, fitted up with all the conveniences and ap- 
pliances of a first-class laboratory. One of these rooms, where considerable heat 
is employed, is made thoroughly fire-proof by about six inches of Portland Ce- 
ment upon its floor and walls. Here a*e many thousands of dollars' worth of va- 



958 PUBLISHERS' ADVERTISEMENT. 

rious kinds of medicinal roots and plants, from which, under the personal super- 
vision of the Doctor, competent assistants prepare the medicines for use. No 
mercurial or inj uious drugs are allowed to enter this laboratory, and the great- 
est pains are taken to exclude everything excepting the purest and best products 
of the botanical kingdom. The laooratory is connected with the sub-basement 
of the building by a large hydraulic elevator. 

The floor below the laboratory is occupied by the stenographers, or short-hand 
writers, who are employed in attending, under the direct dictation of the Doctor, 
to the immense correspondence, which often exceeds one hundred letters per day. 
In no other way could one brain and one pair of hands attend to so many profes- 
sional letters. The Doctor has originated and perfected a series of qutstions re- 
lating to the physical conditions of invalids. These questions are so thorough 
and complete that when they are answered by patients at a distance, the Doctor 
is able to make a complete diagnosis and prescribe tor his patients with about the 
same facility that he could do were th< y present. The questions are furnished to 
all applicants by mail or otherwise. By the aid of such perfected questions and 
ingenious registers for booking all cases, he is now successfully treating patients 
in all parts of this country and many in Europe, Asia, and the West Indies. The 
immense sale of his works, treating directly of disease and how to avoid it. has 
made nis name almost a household word. On the first floor are the spacious ; nd 
elegantly furnished offices, occupying four rooms, where Dr. Foots personally 
superintends the reception ami consultation of his patients, assisted by two phy 
sicians Here may be seen patients who have travelled long distances to avail 
themselves of the Doctor's well known skill and experience. The fact that no 
charge is made for consultations in person or by letter greatly increases the labor 
of conducting such an establishment. But this rule was adopted by the Doctor 
at the outset of his practice, and he proposes to adhere to it in spite of the extra 
work it entails. Two large rooms in the basement are occupied for smaller pub- 
lications, packing rooms, etc.. while in the sub-basement is a carpenter's six p, 
wherein are manufactured the wooden boxes used in sending away medicines. 

It seems almost incredible that any one having such a large professional busi- 
ness to attend to can find the time to produce the works which emanate from 
Dr Foote's pen. It is seldom that the Doctor absents himself from his office 
during office hours. A part of last summer, however, was devoted to the pro- 
duct ion of the new series, during which time the details of the bu iness were in- 
trusted to competent associates. 

"The Murray Hill Publishing Company." says the Independent in con lu- 
sion, *' conducts its business on the subscription plan main y. and its agents may 
be found in almost every neighborhood, while other publishers in London and 
Berlin pursue a similar plan in the sale of the Doctor's publications abroad. Ne- 
gotiation- are now pending for tl.e publication of the new series in Lomion. and 
it will not be long before 'Sammy Tubes' will make his bow to our English 
cousins." 



PUBLISHER'S ADVERTISEMENT. 



959 



A WORD ABOUT THE AUTHOR 



The publishers of Plain Homh Talk, etc., make bold to say that there are y 
probably but few, if any, towns or villages in the United States or Territories in 
which some person may not be foi*nd who knows something of Dr. E. B. Foote, 
the vigorous writer and successful medical practitioner of this city; but for the 
information of those who may not know of his abilities and facilities for prepar- 
ing a work exactly suited to the public ivants, we beg leave hete to say: — 

In his early life. Dr. Foote was a successful journalist, having been an editor 
of an influential paper before the age of twenty. Upon entering the medical 
profession at the age of about twenty-five, he became the editor of a medical jour- 
nal published at that time in New York. Striking out right and left against what he 
conceived to be the errors of the profession, he at once became noted, and at- 
tracted about him hosts of disciples to his medical theories, and plenty of 
patients. In the winter of 1857-58 he published his far-famed ** Common Sense" 
which sold to the extent of over 250,000 copies. The extensive circulation of this 
book brought him in correspondence with not only the world's sufferers but with 
many of the first reform tory minds, and for many years the Doctor's corres- 
pondence has approached, and at times exceeded, one hundred letters per day, 
requiring a corps of short-hand writers to assist in dispatching it. This corres- 
pondence, and an extensive office practice, larger than that of any physican in 
New York, or indeed in this country, have made Dr. F. perfectly familiar with 
the chronic ills and the _ocial distempers of the people, and the causes, proximate 
and remote, which tend to produce and protract them. He has been daily inter- 
rogated by all sorts of sufferers and upon all sorts of matters relating to physical 
and mental diseases and deformities, and Plain Home Talk has been written to 
answer the million and a half inquiries, many of which relate to such delicate 
matters that thousands will suffer in ignorance rather than approach a medical 
adviser for information in relation thereto. 

As a skilful practitioner, Dr. Foote is performing what many regard as little less 
than miracles. He is no one's family physician , but his time is constantly occu- 
pied, assisted by two competent medical men, of thorough education and famil- 
iarty with his original system of practice, in restoring those whom doctors 
generally have given up— the human wrecks who have drifted on dangerous bars 
and see but this one hope of succor. At his elegant office-parlors, 120 Lexington 
Avenue, may daily be found peisons of all conditions— the rich and the poor : the 
dyspeptic and the consumptive : the pale-faced woman and the ruddy-faced but 
rheumatic-limbed man : the brain-worn student and the weakly maiden— all of 
whom have, in most cases, tried the popular resident physician of ward or 
county before seeking the aid of the "Common- Sense Doctor," as our author is 
familiarly called. An immense amount of gratuitous work is done by the Doctor, 
inasmuch as he charges no fee for the first interview ; but all of this labor in 
correspondence and person* 1 consultation has enabled him to write a work for 
the masses which has no rival in the field of practical literatuie ; and that the 
people appreciate what the author has committed to our management, as pub- 
lishers, is evidenced by the fact that from two thousand to twenty-five hundred 
copies of Plain Howe Talk are issued from our publishing house every month. 
Indeed our agents concur in saying that they have never offered a book that sells 
so readily. Turn it* leaves in the presence of an intelligent man or woman, and 
it literally sells itself. Thus much for The author, and thus much for the book. 
It will repay all who wish to enter the field as book-agents to open immediate 
correspondence with the 

MURRAY HILL PUBLISHING CO., 

129 East 28th Street, New York. 



/ 
MURRAY HILL PUB. CO., 

129 EAST 28TH ST., NEW YORK. 

Offers the following Valuable Boolcs on Medical, Social and Sexual Subjects : 
PLAIN HOME TALK and MEDICAL COMMON SENSE. 

By Dr. E. B. Foote. In one handsome 12mo volume of nearly 
1,000 pages; fully illustrated; English or German Standard. , . . $3.00. 

A new cheap edition on thinner paper but good cloth binding. . $1.50. 
SCIENCE IN STORY ; or Sammy Tubbs, the Boy Doctor, and 
Sponsie, the Troublesome Monkey. 

By Dr. E. B. Foote. Five volumes in "red line" edition $5.00. 

Five volumes, plainer binding, $2.50; all in one volume $2.00. 

SEXUAL PHYSIOLOGY FOR THE YOUNG; 

Being the fifth volume of "Science in Story," 250 pages, cloth 

bound and illustrated 50 cents. 

HAND-BOOK OF HEALTH HINTS AND READY RECIPES. 

By Dr. Foote. A valuable collection for reference ; 128 pages, 25 cts. 
REPLIES TO THE ALPHITES. 

Discussing the pre and con of sexual continence ; 128 pages, 25 cents. 

THE RADICAL REMEDY, in Social Science, or Borning 

Better Babies, through Kegulating Eeproduction by Controlling 

Conception. By Dr. E. B. Foote, Jr.; 150 pages 25 cents. 

HOW TO MESMERIZE. 

A manual of instruction by James Coates, Ph.D., of Glasgow, 50 cts. 
HUMAN WONDERS, FREAKS AND DISEASES. 

Presents human physiology in popular style, explains curious "freaks" 
(illustrated), and shows how diseases arise from imperfections in vital 

parts. Very instructive 25 cents. 

COMMON SENSE IN THE CARE OF THE PET CANARY. 

How to buy, keep, feed, tame, mate and breed canaries, and cure their 
ills. By Mrs. Farwell and other experts. Illustrated in colors, 50 cents. 
PHYSIOGNOMY ILLUSTRATES^ 

624 pages, 300 pictures ; tenth edition of greatest modern book. By 
Dr. Joseph Simms, of world-wide celebriety; cloth binding; reduced 

from $5.00 to $2.00. 

MOTHER'S MANUAL. 

Comprising "Advice to a Wife on the Management of Her Own Health, 
especially during Pregnancy, Labor ancWSjickling" and "Advice to a 
Mother on the Management of Her Children in Infancy and Childhood." 
Two books in one volume ; 528 pages $1.00. 

HOME-CURE SERIES. (Dime Pamphlets). 

By Dr. Foote. "Croup," "Old Eyes Made New," "Cold Feet," "Eup- 

ture," " Phimosis," " Spermatorrhoea." Each, by mail 10 cents. 

VARICOCELE (for men) and GYNECOLOGY— DISEASES OF 

WOMEN. By Dr. Foote, Jr., in two pamphlets; each 10 cents. 
OUR COMPLETE LIST of Books and Pamphlets, in at welve-page 

catalogue, sent free to any address. 



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